Vet’s 2025 Guide to Lymphoma in Dogs 🩺🐾

By Dr. Duncan Houston BVSc

Lymphoma is the most common cancer in dogs, affecting lymphocytes in lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow & other organs. Thankfully, certain types are highly treatable with chemotherapy. In this 2025 guide, gain a deep understanding of lymphoma types, signs, staging, diagnostics, modern treatments—including Tanovea®—and supportive strategies utilizing Ask A Vet. 🐶

1️⃣ What Is Canine Lymphoma?

Lymphoma, or lymphosarcoma, is a group of cancers originating from malignant lymphocytes. It may appear in lymph nodes (multicentric), GI tract (alimentary), chest (mediastinal), skin (cutaneous), or other organs.

2️⃣ How Common & Who's Affected?

• Accounts for 15–20% of canine cancers and ~80 % of blood-cell tumors.
• Middle-aged to older dogs are most affected, though any breed can be involved.
• Breed predispositions include Boxers, Bulldogs, Golden Retrievers, Rottweilers, Beagles, German Shepherds, Basset Hounds, Scots Terriers.

3️⃣ Signs & Physical Findings

• Painless enlarged lymph nodes—often under the jaw, armpits, groin.
• Lethargy, reduced appetite, weight loss.
• Depends on type: GI lymphoma causes vomiting/diarrhea; mediastinal lymphoma may lead to breathing issues or hypercalcemia.

4️⃣ Staging Details

Staging I–V (plus substage a for asymptomatic, b for systemic illness) indicates spread and guides treatment. Higher stages and b-substage indicate more advanced disease.

5️⃣ How It’s Diagnosed

• Fine-needle aspiration (FNA): cytology from nodes offers prompt diagnosis.
• Biopsy & histopathology: confirms cell type and subtype.
• Immunophenotyping & PCR (PARR): distinguishes B‑cell vs T‑cell lymphoma.
• Staging tests: include bloodwork, urinalysis, chest and abdominal imaging, and bone marrow aspirate.

6️⃣ Treatment Options in 2025

💉 Multi-agent Chemotherapy

The gold standard: CHOP protocols using cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone, often yielding 6–12 months average survival.

📅 Radiotherapy

Useful for localized or resistant disease

🧬 New & Targeted Treatments

Tanovea® (rabacfosadine) is the first FDA-approved lymphoma drug for dogs, showing promise as part of treatment plans.

⚖️ Palliative & Alternative Strategies

Prednisone alone may improve quality of life for ~1–2 months if full chemo isn't feasible.

7️⃣ Prognosis by Type & Treatment

• Untreated: survival 4–6 weeks.
• Chemo-treated multicentric lymphoma: median survival ~12 months; B-cell ~12 mo, T-cell ~6–9 mo.
• Cutaneous, alimentary, mediastinal: variable—generally shorter than multicentric.
• Poorer prognosis with T-cell immunophenotype or substage b.

8️⃣ Monitoring & Follow‑Up

• Palpate lymph nodes regularly, ideally weekly, during treatment.
• Bloodwork before each chemo dose to check organ function and counts.
• Imaging periodically to assess response or disease recurrence.
• Consider molecular markers or blood tests as future relapse indicators.

9️⃣ Supportive Care & Brand Integration

• Manage side effects—anti-nausea, appetite stimulants, ear care.
• Maintain nutrition with high-quality, calorically dense food.
• Ask A Vet: for telehealth check-ins, symptom support, med adherence.

🔟 When to Contact Your Vet

• New lumps or swelling of lymph nodes.
• Lethargy, appetite loss, vomiting, diarrhea.
• Severe or persistent side effects during chemo.
• Signs of relapse—coughing, breathing difficulty, neurological changes.

🏁 Final Thoughts

With early detection and comprehensive treatment, many dogs enter prolonged remission, even beyond a year. Advances like Tanovea®, better staging techniques, and strong supportive care (including Ask A Vet telehealth) mean higher quality of life than ever before in 2025. With vigilance and TLC, lymphoma can be a treatable journey, not the end. 🐶❤️

Need help navigating treatment stages, side effects, or recovery support? Visit AskAVet.com and download the Ask A Vet app—24/7 veterinary support when it matters most. 📱🐾