Canine and Feline Lymphoma- What You Need to Know

Are you aware that our canine and feline companions can be affected by a variety of cancers, some of which are very similar to those that affect people? Lymphoma is one of those cancers that we veterinarians (unfortunately) commonly diagnose in our cat and dog patients. I have a personal connection to the disease, as my own dog, Cardiff , overcame two episodes of lymphoma over his eleven years of life. Cardiff had a specific type of cancer called T-Cell Lymphoma which manifested as a mass-like lesion on a loop of small intestine that restricted the movement of fluid and food from his stomach to the large intestine (colon) and caused him to show signs of lethargy, reduced appetite, vomiting, and stool abnormalities. Being aware of the clinical signs of cancer is essential in catching lymphoma early on in the course of disease so that consultation with a veterinary oncologist can be sought and the most-appropriate diagnostic testing and treatment can be pursued. Additionally, with cancer there is generally no known cause, so it's best that owners take preventive measures to reduce exposure to toxins and other triggers that can damage DNA and lead to cancer cell formation. Interested in learning more about lymphoma? Check out this article Canine and Feline Lymphoma- What You Need to Know. I work with the Canine Lymphoma Education Awareness and Research (CLEAR). Foundation to help promote pet owners to become better aware of the disease. Please support this important foundation by financially contributing to their cause and liking/following CLEAR on social media. CLEAR Facebook CLEAR Twitter @ClearCanineCncr CLEAR Instagram @Clear_Cancer Dr. Patrick Mahaney