Lymphoma is a type of cancer that commonly affects dogs in their mid- to late years. After diagnosis, veterinarians can offer a variety of treatments that can improve the quality of a dog's life as well as extend his life expectancy.
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Possible Causes
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Dogs can develop cancer from some of the same causes considered to affect humans. Excess exposure to chemicals or frequent doses of radiation are among the culprits. Some researchers consider genetics to determine the likelihood of a dog being diagnosed with cancer. There is no firm evidence to convict particular causes of lymphoma in dogs and, therefore, owners are encourage to apply the same precautionary measures they would take to avoiding cancer-causing situations.
Treatment
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As with many other forms of cancer, chemotherapy is the recommended treatment for lymphoma. Chemotherapy treatment will require the dog to receive injections and ingestible drugs every week. Because there is not one cure for the cancer, pet owners are encouraged to research a variety of treatments. The treatment that one veterinarian recommends may differ from the recommendations of another practitioner.
Symptoms of Treatment
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Chemotherapy results in different side effects, depending on how the dog's body reacts to the drugs. A dog may experience diarrhea and vomiting if his gastrointestinal tract reacts to the treatment. Like humans, the hair follicle in dogs is often interrupted. Dogs that have infrequent shedding cycles and those with wire-like hair tend to experience hair loss in the face and tail. Bleeding, a symptom of both the tumor and treatment, can stem from the same orifices as it once did prior to diagnosis.
At Home Care
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A dog's disposition during chemotherapy may be altered from his previous temperament. Chemotherapy treatment can take a toll on a dog's body and cause lethargy. The drugs being administered are killing certain cells within the dog's body and minimizing energy. His body will need time to reinvigorate itself prior to returning to rigorous activity. Therefore, pet owners need to allow ample resting time during the day while encouraging him to take at least one short walk every day.
The treatment may also create a lack in appetite. He should be encouraged to eat at least two meals a day to enhance energy the body will need to aid in fighting the lymphoma. Soft foods are often more appealing and easier to digest.
Life Expectancy
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Although chemotherapy has been proven to be fairly successful, there are some cases in which it fails to wipe out the lymphoma. Even if the treatment cures the disease, the dog's body may be too badly weakened to live much longer. In the event that the chemotherapy effectively treated the cancer and the dog was able to tolerate the process, he can live up to a year or more.
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