Companion Animals

Companion Dog Canine Lymphoma and Quality of Life

Management of canine lymphoma with focus on maintaining quality of life through treatment.

Key Facts

Lymphoma is one of the most common cancers in dogs affecting lymph nodes and organs
Chemotherapy achieves remission in around 90% of cases with multi-drug protocols
Dogs generally tolerate chemotherapy better than humans with fewer side effects
Median survival with treatment is 12-14 months for multicentric lymphoma
Palliative steroid treatment provides quality time for dogs whose owners decline chemotherapy

Welfare Considerations

Canine lymphoma causes significant welfare costs from disease and treatment, and quality of life assessment should guide treatment decisions throughout the course of care.

What You Can Do

Seek specialist veterinary oncology consultation for dogs diagnosed with lymphoma
Use quality of life assessment tools to monitor your dog through treatment
Know that high-quality palliative care is a valid welfare-positive choice