Lymphocytes that are usually present within the internal organs of the dogs turn out to be malignant and cause lymphoma cancer in dogs. Lymphoma cancer in dogs is also called as lymphosarcoma. When this lymphoma cancer is restricted to a particular organ then there are greater chances of recovery but when it starts affecting the spleen and bone marrow cells, then it is really difficult to cure it. This cancer in the dogs can be controlled and treated by chemotherapy or autologous and allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Some breeds of dogs such as Bulldog, Boxer, Chow Chow, Scottish terrier, Poodle, German Shepherd Dog, etc., are more susceptible to lymphoma cancer as compared to other dogs. These dogs should be regularly checked for the symptoms.

Symptoms can be mild or severe depending upon the stage of the cancer. Symptoms also vary largely depend upon the organ affected. Some of the common symptoms of lymphoma cancer observed in dogs are:
  • Loss of fur that is unwarranted and sudden
  • Loss of appetite or disinterest in food   
  • Depression
  • Weight loss that may be gradual or acute
  •  Fever
  • Advanced lymphoma that affects spleen or lungs may show up symptoms such as difficulty in breathing.
Causes of Canine Lymphoma Cancer:
Although, research has made the concept clear about how the lymphoma forms, but the question why is still not satisfactorily answered. However, genetics is a strong factor understood through various studies. A few studies associate the disease to be caused due to environmental factors.
Diagnosis of Canine Lymphoma Cancer:
Lymphoma cancer diagnosis in dogs is suspected after the occurrence of the symptoms and various examinations are conducted to understand the problem and the stage.
Lymphoma cancer may be divided into 5 separate stages depending upon the advancement of the tumor. X-rays, bone marrow biopsy, blood analysis and ultrasound are the common tests to detect the disease.
Treatment of Lymphoma Cancer in Dogs:
Lymphoma is non-curable disease and dogs, which do not receive treatment, may survive up to sixty days. Chemotherapy, however, is a promising treatment technique but radiation therapy and surgical treatment is impractical and ineffective to treat lymphoma.
The dogs who receive chemotherapy protocols may have a better life expectancy of around a year or more.
Lymphoma cancer is a common cancerous disease affecting dogs. It is systemic disease and may be categorized as Hodgkin lymphoma or Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. Early diagnosis and treatment with chemotherapy drugs may help in better prognosis of the disease and elevating the life-expectancy in dogs to rise up to one or more year.