The Good and Bad about Lymphoma Treatment for Dogs

The most common aspect of lymphoma in dogsPrednisone therapy is much easier on your dog and
presents itself as lumps or swollen lymph nodes onthe short term benefits greatly outweigh that of
the back, armpits, and neck. In the early stages,chemotherapy. While the remission rate is lower than
there is no pain involved, but that can change almostchemo, approximately 2 to 3 months, the dog will
overnight if action isn't taken as soon as these lumpshave a more comfortable life while undergoing the
are noticed. There are, however, a few aspects thatprednisone treatment. You should, however, not use
go almost unnoticed until it's too late; theseprednisone before undertaking chemotherapy as this
symptoms include vomiting, lethargy, and loss ofwill reduce the effectiveness of the chemo and put
appetite among others. Some are easily noticed whileyour dog under unneeded pain and agony.
others are found accidently.If you are looking for the best possible outcome for
For the most part, chemotherapy is one of the bestyour dog, then stem cell replacement is probably the
actions to take in order to treat your dog withbest possible solution. The effects are strikingly
canine lymphoma. This will also help over 80 percentsignificant and raise your dog's survival rate
of dogs with lymphoma go into remission for at leasttremendously. The stem cells are taken from the
12 months. Side effects are usually rare, and seen inbone marrow of your dog where there is no cancer
less than 10 percent of dogs undergoing thisfound and replaced after it has gone through total
treatment. These side effects can include vomiting,radiation treatment. While this is extremely effective,
nausea, and hair loss. There are two different kindsit is also extremely expensive and might be
of chemo treatment; single and multi-agent. Singlesomething you will have to consider long and hard
agent chemo is less toxic, and doesn't cost as muchbefore attempting. Your vet will explain the best
but remission is usually shorter, around 7 months thepossible treatment for your dog when it comes to
first time.canine lymphoma and explain all the procedures that
If chemotherapy isn't something that you want, oryou can try. It's up to you to pick the one you want,
can afford to put your dog through, there is anotherthough.
option; prednisone therapy.