Lymphoma

[olop]

Does anyone here have any experience with lymphoma in dogs? This is going to be long so please bear with!

back in January my little staff’s lymph nodes all swelled up at the same time (throat, armpits, back legs and swollen abdomen). We took her to the vet and unfortunately she hates the vets and the vet who “examined” her took one look and said that dog has lymphoma. She wouldn’t go near my dog and me and OH were quite taken back by her diagnosis just by looking at her. We took her to another vet for a second opinion who were great, sedated her and took her in for biopsies, bloods and an ultrasound of her abdomen. The bloods came back as pancreatitis and so the vet gave her antiobiotics.

a month later the swelling appears again, she had another set of bloods and another biopsy and again it just showed pancreatitis. Another course of antibiotics.

another month passed and the swellings came back. Vet was stumped and referred us to dick whites. She had more bloods and a CT scan which interestingly showed a nasty tooth infection and again pancreatitis so she had the tooth removed and another course of antibiotics.

a few months passed and the lymph nodes came up again! My vet decided to put her on a low dose course of steroids and they all went away.

she has been on a gradual decrease of steroids so that she is now on 2.5mgs a day and guess what the swellings have all appeared again.

im pretty convinced we are dealing with lymphoma here. She’s had 2 negative biopsies and a CT scan. Both vets (apart from the one we initially saw!) are convinced it’s not.

those of you that have had experience would you mind telling me your dogs symptoms and how they were diagnosed. I’m obviously going to have another conversation with the vet Monday but it’s difficult getting her there due to the way she behaves at the vets and she’s been there so many times now she unfortunately knows what’s coming.

many thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

I had a bitch with lymphoma and she only survived 6 weeks from diagnosis so the fact yours is still with you points towards something else.

 

[olop]

I’m sorry to hear about yours that’s so sad she went so quickly.

my OH said the same thing, thank you for responding.

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

I think they all react differently. Stupid question, have you had blood screening?

 

[millikins]

A work colleague has just lost her labrador to lymphoma, his symptoms were G.I. He was pts within 6 weeks of showing signs of illness.

 

[PurBee]

My staffiXparsons jack russel developed lumps quickly. Like yours my vet said lymphoma without any biopsy at first meeting, as all the lumps were growing at the areas of main lymph nodes. I believed the vet as he was very sure, and i thought he sees it on dogs so would know presentation.
If we had got a round of anti-b’s and the lumps disappeared, i would be as flummoxed as you are - thats quite an amazing reaction to anti -b’s, and steroids.

My boy had anti-b’s after 1 operation and his lumps didnt disappear/change so perhaps yours isnt lymphoma and some unusual infection causing lymphatic fluid build-up presenting as lymphoma-type lumps?

I answered this more fully on another thread recently. Ill quote it below. Obviously some dogs show it and quickly decline. Others live for years. Ive read varying experiences online.
My boy didnt have sore wound/weeping type of lymph lumps, they always remained beneath the fur. Small ones clustered around main lymph areas, or just a larger lump. His decline was only rapid at the end, with lots of drinking water, and appetite loss, so we pts at that point. We were very lucky with him, it developing very slowly despite the amount of lumps, many were small around the lymph nodes. Some lymphomas get very ugly really quite quickly.


“I had a dog with lymphoma. He had a couple of small lumps appearing quite quickly, vets said were lymphoma, they said keep an eye out for radical changes. They werent in any places that inhibited movement or bothered him. Then a lump grew under his chin, really quite fast and large. Vets removed it, confirmed having investigated other small lumps, lymphoma. They said to not go removing lumps as they grew as there would be lots of operations. Just to keep an eye on his health and see how he does. Prognosis was pts eventually.
Like your dog, this boy wasn’t one for liking vets, but he didnt have extreme panic, just aversion.

His behaviour, energy and appetite were all top form at the time the lumps appeared in 2012. I had read from others online lymphoma is generally quite fast developing and most dogs last 2yrs average, so that prepared me for a rapid decline.

My dog was pts last year 2021 age 18…he jollied around the farm chasing deer, playing with his dog mate for 9 more years! He was very energetic except the last few weeks. His appetite was on/off so i knew time was very close.

Looking back im glad i didnt operate on every lump. He had a fair few over the years and luckily didnt develop in places that restricted nerves/ligaments or joints. I knew his personality well so could tell if he was not right. Even writing this now, im amazed how well that old boy did. He truly beat all the lymphoma odds.

My female gsd developed a lump on her chest, 4yrs ago, it grew fast so the vets operated and said benign, shouldnt be a worry. Since then she’s been lump-free.

Hopefully my experience shows sometimes they beat all the odds despite having loads of lumps appear, and sometimes we worry about loads of lumps appearing and nothing more transpires.

I focused on removing lumps that were in places of problem areas - his bottom jaw lump i worried would grow and impede throat or eating. After it was removed it didnt grow back there.

A fellow horseman had a spaniel with a large lump behind front leg on his chest, its a common place for large tumours. He didnt have that removed and that dog was around for many years as an active rural dog.”

 

[L&M]

Dropping weight and not being able to put it back on......

 

[Errin Paddywack]

My bitch first showed a problem when she started losing control of her bladder in her sleep, deeper sleep than normal. She was horrified by this being a very clean girl. Took her to the vet who diagnosed a bladder infection so gave antibiotics, didn't help so went back. The vet, female practice partner, looked her over and I heard her comment as she was updating the computer, something about massively enlarged glands, but she didn't say anything to us, just gave us some different very expensive antibiotics.
Went back again and saw the senior partner who we got on well with and knew very well. He looked at the computer report then without turning round asked us if Claire, the other vet, had explained what this all meant. We said no, so he had to tell us that our lovely girl had lymphoma. He said chemo was available but didn't recommend it for her. She started on a course of steroids but went steadily downhill. It was him that finally had to put her down, done in the back of our car, and I remember him saying, 'such a pity'. She was 14 but till then still fit and well and helping me with the sheep and was the loveliest girl ever. Never had a grumble in her. Long time ago now but I still hold it against Claire (now retired) that she wasn't honest with us.

 

[olop]

I think they all react differently. Stupid question, have you had blood screening?

she’s had all the bloods under the sun and they’ve only ever shown pancreatitis. I thought pancreatitis was something they get acutely and not a long term problem, the bloods have shown this on 3 separate occasions.

 

[olop]

A work colleague has just lost her labrador to lymphoma, his symptoms were G.I. He was pts within 6 weeks of showing signs of illness.

oh that’s very sad, the only GI symptom she’s had is the swollen abdomen which has never gone down even on the steroids.

 

[olop]

My staffiXparsons jack russel developed lumps quickly. Like yours my vet said lymphoma without any biopsy at first meeting, as all the lumps were growing at the areas of main lymph nodes. I believed the vet as he was very sure, and i thought he sees it on dogs so would know presentation.
If we had got a round of anti-b’s and the lumps disappeared, i would be as flummoxed as you are - thats quite an amazing reaction to anti -b’s, and steroids.

My boy had anti-b’s after 1 operation and his lumps didnt disappear/change so perhaps yours isnt lymphoma and some unusual infection causing lymphatic fluid build-up presenting as lymphoma-type lumps?

I answered this more fully on another thread recently. Ill quote it below. Obviously some dogs show it and quickly decline. Others live for years. Ive read varying experiences online.
My boy didnt have sore wound/weeping type of lymph lumps, they always remained beneath the fur. Small ones clustered around main lymph areas, or just a larger lump. His decline was only rapid at the end, with lots of drinking water, and appetite loss, so we pts at that point. We were very lucky with him, it developing very slowly despite the amount of lumps, many were small around the lymph nodes. Some lymphomas get very ugly really quite quickly.


“I had a dog with lymphoma. He had a couple of small lumps appearing quite quickly, vets said were lymphoma, they said keep an eye out for radical changes. They werent in any places that inhibited movement or bothered him. Then a lump grew under his chin, really quite fast and large. Vets removed it, confirmed having investigated other small lumps, lymphoma. They said to not go removing lumps as they grew as there would be lots of operations. Just to keep an eye on his health and see how he does. Prognosis was pts eventually.
Like your dog, this boy wasn’t one for liking vets, but he didnt have extreme panic, just aversion.

His behaviour, energy and appetite were all top form at the time the lumps appeared in 2012. I had read from others online lymphoma is generally quite fast developing and most dogs last 2yrs average, so that prepared me for a rapid decline.

My dog was pts last year 2021 age 18…he jollied around the farm chasing deer, playing with his dog mate for 9 more years! He was very energetic except the last few weeks. His appetite was on/off so i knew time was very close.

Looking back im glad i didnt operate on every lump. He had a fair few over the years and luckily didnt develop in places that restricted nerves/ligaments or joints. I knew his personality well so could tell if he was not right. Even writing this now, im amazed how well that old boy did. He truly beat all the lymphoma odds.

My female gsd developed a lump on her chest, 4yrs ago, it grew fast so the vets operated and said benign, shouldnt be a worry. Since then she’s been lump-free.

Hopefully my experience shows sometimes they beat all the odds despite having loads of lumps appear, and sometimes we worry about loads of lumps appearing and nothing more transpires.

I focused on removing lumps that were in places of problem areas - his bottom jaw lump i worried would grow and impede throat or eating. After it was removed it didnt grow back there.

A fellow horseman had a spaniel with a large lump behind front leg on his chest, its a common place for large tumours. He didnt have that removed and that dog was around for many years as an active rural dog.”

thank you for sharing, I’m sorry to hear about yours but I’m glad he went on all those years for you that is amazing!

the only one of her lumps I’m concerned about is the one under her armpit, it’s probably the size of a grape but she is now limping on walks and I’m presuming it’s because it’s pushing on the shoulder but I’m not sure!

 

[olop]

Dropping weight and not being able to put it back on......

thank you, she’s certainly not losing any weight at the moment.

 

[olop]

My bitch first showed a problem when she started losing control of her bladder in her sleep, deeper sleep than normal. She was horrified by this being a very clean girl. Took her to the vet who diagnosed a bladder infection so gave antibiotics, didn't help so went back. The vet, female practice partner, looked her over and I heard her comment as she was updating the computer, something about massively enlarged glands, but she didn't say anything to us, just gave us some different very expensive antibiotics.
Went back again and saw the senior partner who we got on well with and knew very well. He looked at the computer report then without turning round asked us if Claire, the other vet, had explained what this all meant. We said no, so he had to tell us that our lovely girl had lymphoma. He said chemo was available but didn't recommend it for her. She started on a course of steroids but went steadily downhill. It was him that finally had to put her down, done in the back of our car, and I remember him saying, 'such a pity'. She was 14 but till then still fit and well and helping me with the sheep and was the loveliest girl ever. Never had a grumble in her. Long time ago now but I still hold it against Claire (now retired) that she wasn't honest with us.

oh that’s really sad, I wonder why she wasn’t honest with you? It would have been no benefit to her

 

[P3LH]

Dropping weight and struggling to maintain anything on. Feeling very bony around the jaw. Making strange noises when sleeping. Waking with a start from sleeping and having coughing/sneezing fits. Pausing when eating and drinking to have coughing/sneezing/wrenching episodes. Coughing up foam (this was when it spread and there was a mass in her chest/throat which finally got her a diagnosis).

My advice would always be once diagnosed, have a nice day or two together and PTS. Our bitch went under the radar for a couple of months as was being treated for heart and lung issues due to her age. I suspect it had already begun at that point. We had it confirmed on a Monday, I took her home to mull my decision - more than when rather than the what as I knew what needed to happen. We spent the night on the sofa eating biscuits and the next morning I had her PTS. Our vet supported the decision and actually said how people just keep them going when, as with many cancers with dogs, it’s a death sentence and you’re merely prolonging the inevitable but risking a really unpleasant journey to the final vets appointment.

I know others will have different experiences and/or opinions but there is mine.

 

[olop]

Dropping weight and struggling to maintain anything on. Feeling very bony around the jaw. Making strange noises when sleeping. Waking with a start from sleeping and having coughing/sneezing fits. Pausing when eating and drinking to have coughing/sneezing/wrenching episodes. Coughing up foam (this was when it spread and there was a mass in her chest/throat which finally got her a diagnosis).

My advice would always be once diagnosed, have a nice day or two together and PTS. Our bitch went under the radar for a couple of months as was being treated for heart and lung issues due to her age. I suspect it had already begun at that point. We had it confirmed on a Monday, I took her home to mull my decision - more than when rather than the what as I knew what needed to happen. We spent the night on the sofa eating biscuits and the next morning I had her PTS. Our vet supported the decision and actually said how people just keep them going when, as with many cancers with dogs, it’s a death sentence and you’re merely prolonging the inevitable but risking a really unpleasant journey to the final vets appointment.

I know others will have different experiences and/or opinions but there is mine.

I’m sorry to hear about yours. She definitely isn’t dropping weight but then she’s on steroids. She does snore quite heavily but she’s always done that so it’s not something we’re overly concerned about. She’s 12 years old now and with this problem going on for nearly a year now with no definitive diagnosis we’re just stumped.

 

[P3LH]

I’m sorry to hear about yours. She definitely isn’t dropping weight but then she’s on steroids. She does snore quite heavily but she’s always done that so it’s not something we’re overly concerned about. She’s 12 years old now and with this problem going on for nearly a year now with no definitive diagnosis we’re just stumped.

Yes our bitch was on steroids too for her lung issues and I feel probably bought her more time. The noise wasn’t really like snoring, it was more like trapped air and then she would suddenly spring up quite disorientated/gasping for breath/backwards snorting and coughing. We were at a loss for about six months, she had an enlarged heart and some lung issues as a result of fluid build up - so we went back and forth with this. I never imagined cancer. She was 10.5 and had never been sick before.

 

[olop]

Yes our bitch was on steroids too for her lung issues and I feel probably bought her more time. The noise wasn’t really like snoring, it was more like trapped air and then she would suddenly spring up quite disorientated/gasping for breath/backwards snorting and coughing. We were at a loss for about six months, she had an enlarged heart and some lung issues as a result of fluid build up - so we went back and forth with this. I never imagined cancer. She was 10.5 and had never been sick before.

Oh bless her that’s really sad I’m sorry to hear that. The steroids must have been hiding what was going on which is my kind of feeling with my little dog. Thank you for sharing your experience.