Lymphoma is one of the most common cancers in dogs, and while multicentric lymphoma is often rapidly fatal without treatment, chemotherapy offers meaningful remission periods that maintain quality of life for many affected dogs.
Lymphoma in dogs presents an acute welfare decision: without treatment, survival is measured in weeks and dogs deteriorate rapidly from lymph node compression, anaemia, and systemic effects. With chemotherapy, many dogs enjoy a year or more of good quality life with relatively few treatment side effects. The welfare calculation for chemotherapy in dogs is generally positive: unlike in humans, dogs do not experience anticipatory anxiety about treatment, most chemotherapy sessions are brief veterinary visits, and serious side effects requiring hospitalisation occur in only 5-10% of cycles. The decision to treat or to pursue palliative care is personal and depends on owner capacity, dog temperament, and financial resources. Quality-of-life assessment should guide treatment continuation throughout.