Canine Lymphoma…What is Lymphoma?

Canine lymphomas are among the most common cancers diagnosed in dogs, however, it is more prevalent in Airedale Terriers, Basset Hounds, Boxers, Bulldogs, Golden Retrievers, Saint Bernard, and Scottish Terriers. Lymphoma is a type of cancer that originates in the lymphocyte cells of the immune system. Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell that plays an integral role in the body’s defenses. Lymphomas may affect any organ in the body, but most commonly originate in lymph nodes before spreading to other organs such as the liver, spleen, and bone marrow.

Causes

Changes in the normal structure of chromosomes have been reported in canine lymphoma. Any of a group of viruses, many of which can cause tumors, and certain environmental factors are believed to trigger the disease. Some examples include indoor and outdoor chemicals, as well as exposure to magnetic fields. The causes are a compilation of factors and the exact cause is still unknown.

Types and Symptoms

The most common type of lymphoma found in dogs is multicentric lymphoma. The initial symptom in dogs is firm, enlarged, non-painful lymph nodes. A lymph node affected by lymphoma will feel like a hard, rubbery lump under your dog’s skin. Death occurs mostly due to organ failure. Lymphoma eventually invades the organs and the healthy tissues are replaced by the diseased ones. Weight loss, difficulty in breathing, extreme thirst, fever, and hemorrhaging are just a few of the symptoms. Central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma occurs due to the metastasis of multicentric lymphoma. Symptoms may vary from paralysis to seizures.

Cutaneous lymphoma first appears as dry, flaky, red, and itchy patches of skin. As the disease progresses, the skin becomes moist, ulcerated, very red, and thickened. Cutaneous lymphoma may be treated for several months as an infection or allergy by mistake before a diagnosis of lymphoma is made.  Cutaneous lymphoma may also appear in the mouth, and is often mistaken for periodontal disease or gingivitis in its early stages.

Alimentary lymphoma occurs in the gastrointestinal tract of dogs. It can become fatal if the tumor is situated near the small or large intestine. Dogs with gastrointestinal lymphoma usually have symptoms such as vomiting, weight loss, and watery diarrhea. The diarrhea is often very dark in color and foul smelling.

Breathing difficulties typically develop with mediastinal lymphoma. This may be due to the accumulation of fluid within the chest, or from the presence of a large mass within the chest. Affected dogs may also show swelling of the face or front legs, as well as increased thirst and urination.

Extranodal lymphoma is the rarest among all lymphomas. It can affect areas like the skin, mouth, eyes, bone, liver, and breast tissue. Patients with extranodal lymphoma show degeneration of the organs involved.

Other symptoms are variable depending upon the location and stage of tumor, but generally, the symptoms that are most common in all forms of lymphoma are lack of appetite, weight loss, muscle weakness, and extreme lack of energy.

Diagnosis

You will need to give your veterinarian a thorough history of your dog’s health and full description of symptoms. Once the initial history has been taken, your veterinarian will perform a complete physical examination on your dog. Routine laboratory testing includes a biochemistry profile, and urinalysis, and a complete blood count. More specific testing may be required for a confirmatory diagnosis. The best way to diagnose lymphoma is to perform a biopsy. A biopsy is a minor surgical procedure to remove a piece of lymph node or other organ affected by cancer. Diagnostic imaging, including X-rays and ultrasound, are often used to evaluate the size of regional lymph nodes. Your veterinarian will also take bone marrow samples to be sent to a veterinary pathologist for further evaluation and to determine the extent of disease.

Treatment

The most effective therapy for most types of canine lymphoma is chemotherapy, but in some cases, surgery or radiation therapy may also be recommended. “Remission” means a regression of your dog’s cancer. Unfortunately, relapses are common after chemotherapy, and it is rarely found to have long term affect. Most dogs tolerate chemotherapy much better than humans typically do, and serious side effects are uncommon. The ultimate goal of chemotherapy is to improve the quality of life in affected patients. As of now, there is no cure being released for this disease.

Management

Regular checkups are required for evaluating the patient’s progress, along with regular blood testing, cardiac, and other body system evaluations. During chemotherapy, patients are more prone to various infections, so you will need to watch your dog for any signs of infection. Chemotherapy is also potentially hazardous for humans, therefore you should talk to the veterinary oncologist about safe handling and administration of chemotherapeutic medicines at home.

Common Causes of Canine Incontinence

Most of us are familiar with dogs who pee from fear or excitement, to mark their territory, or because they can’t or just don’t want to go outside. But, what about those who don’t seem to have any reason to pee indoors at all? What would make them do it? Well, according to the ASPCA, canine urinary incontinence occurs when house-trained dogs lose their ability to control their bladders. More often than not, these dogs are middle-aged or older spayed females; Cocker Spaniels, Springer Spaniels, Doberman Pinschers, and Old English Sheepdogs, but dogs of any age, breed, or gender can also be afflicted.

Some of the most common causes of canine incontinence are:

• congenital abnormalities
• anatomical disorders
• medications
• hormonal imbalance
• obesity
• diabetes
• thyroid disease
• kidney disease
• spinal injury or degeneration
• spaying/neutering

If your dog seems to be spending an excessive amount of time licking her genitals, or you notice that he is dripping urine and has red, irritated skin, do not scold her. Instead, monitor her condition, provide proper hygiene to the affected area, consult with your veterinarian, ensure that your dog goes out to the yard (or for walks) frequently, place waterproof pads under her bedding to absorb any leakage, and shower you best (dog) friend with love.

To find out more information about the causes of canine urinary incontinence, and what you can do to help your pup, please check out the following websites: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/urinary-incontinence and http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/urinary-incontinence-dogs?page=2

Does Your Dog Have the Belly Ache Blues?

Here are some quick tips for a fast recovery…

It’s not always easy when trying to determine what’s wrong with our four-legged companions. But when it comes to the occasional upset stomach, there are a few home-remedies that can lead them to a speedy recovery and you back to a less stressful life. Here are some suggestions to help get them back on track.

Check for Dehydration:

If your dog is vomiting or has diarrhea, it’s important to check for dehydration. If symptoms like diarrhea persist beyond 48 hours, or vomiting for more than 24hours, you need to contact a vet. You can test for dehydration by checking the skin’s elasticity. Do this by gently lifting the skin on the back or between shoulder blades in a tent using two fingers. If it snaps back quickly into position, then there are no worries. If it delays or stays lifted, then the dog needs to be re-hydrated quickly. This may mean a trip to the vet for fluids.

Begin Food Restriction:

As long as dehydration is not an issue, you can begin restricting all food and treats and limiting a dog’s water for twelve hours. Fasting may seem cruel, but it will not harm them and you’ll actually be doing them a favor. Like humans, an animals’ body can heal itself and fasting will allow the dog’s gastro-intestinal tract to rest and recover if inflamed. If you own a small or young puppy, and a 12 hour fast is needed, you can rub a little pancake syrup on their gums to help keep energy levels up and prevent glucose levels from dropping.

Supplement with Rice Water:

Make a rice water solution. Boil and stir 1 cup rice in 1 quart water for about twenty minutes, then strain the rice and give some of the warm or cooled rice water to your dog. Give your dog enough to remain hydrated and store the rest in the fridge for later.

Add Food Gradually:

After fasting, begin feeding your dog a bland diet. One part boiled, skinless, boneless chicken breast to two parts boiled rice (brown or white) is a great way to begin. Don’t add any seasoning or additives like oil or salt. Start with small portions, gradually increasing over the next few days. Bananas, oatmeal, pumpkin, and sweet potatoes are gentle foods that can be added to your dog’s meal to help settle their stomach. You could also add a tablespoon of plain, unsweetened yogurt to their food.  This helps soothe the stomach and replaces healthy bacteria in the gut. It can even stimulate their appetite.

*If your dog’s condition does not improve, contact your regular or emergency vet. In some cases, the upset stomach may be caused by an underlying cause that needs to be promptly addressed.