Canine Lymphosarcoma

Canine lymphoma is the most common type of cancer in dogs. The first symptom is an enlarged lymph node that feels like a bump under the skin. Lymphosarcoma in dogs begins in a lymph node, causing it to swell and harden. The cancer travels to other lymph nodes, until they are all enlarged. It can eventually travel to other organs including the liver, spleen, bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract, and nervous system. The cancer cells can multiply quickly replacing healthy tissue, and can eventually cause the immune system to fail and ultimately death. If left untreated, the average lifespan for a dog after diagnosis, is almost two months. The good news is that your dog has a great chance of beating canine lymphoma, if treated on time. About 75% of dogs that receive chemotherapy for lymphosarcoma go into complete remission.

If you have ever noticed your veterinarian feeling all over your dogs body in the yearly physical exam, that's one reason why. If your dog has canine lymphosarcoma, he will seem healthy in the beginning stages, but a swollen lymph gland is a sure fire sign that something is wrong. In canine lymphoma, they judge how advanced the cancer is in stages, just as in people. In stage 1, there is only one lymph node involved. Stage 2, several lymph nodes are enlarged on either the front half or back half of the body. In stage 3, several lymph nodes are enlarged on both front and the back halves of the body. In stage 4, the lymphoma has spread to the liver and/or spleen. In stage 5, It is in the bone marrow or other organs.

Cost of treatment will vary, but typically your looking at $2000 in the first few months, and about $5000 over the course of a year. I'm not advocating any particular pet health insurance, but I do recommend looking into it before your dog ever gets sick. This cancer is treatable, but the costs involved may prevent many people from getting the help they need. Yet, you can find plans that will run about $25 a month that will cover cancer and other health care issues.