Cat Lymphoma - An Owner's Guide to Lymphoma in Cats

Lymphoid tissue is found throughout your whole cat's body. Lymphoma in cats, a disease that affects this tissue, can cause damage to a number of organs. This cancer normally affects cats around ten years of age. Also, cats infected with the leukemia or immunodeficiency virus have an increased risk.



Forms



Cat lymphoma can occur in one of three forms. They include the alimentary, mediastinal, and multicentric forms. The alimentary form affects the digestive tract and surrounding lymph nodes. The mediastinal form affects the chest, thymus, and associated lymph nodes. This is commonly a problem with cats infected with the feline leukemia virus.



The last form of this disease is multicentric. Like the mediastinal variety, it is usually a problem for cats with the leukemia virus. It causes damage to multiple organs and their surrounding lymph nodes.



Symptoms



Unfortunately, lymphoma in cats causes unspecific symptoms. Common signs of this disease include weight loss, decreased appetite, and lethargy. Any other symptoms that your cat experiences will depend on the specific organs that are affected.



Treatment



Cat lymphoma is mainly treated with chemotherapy. If the disease has already spread to multiple areas, this is the only treatment option your cat will have. This medication can be given by an injection, although some cats can take it orally. Radiation, laser, and surgery are options if the cancer is still localized.



Prognosis



Lymphoma in cats is easily a life-threatening disease. The outcome of treatment depends on various factors. These include how early the tumor was detected and its location. If your cat is also battling the leukemia virus, the prognosis will be much worse. Most cats don't survive more than two years, while many die around six months after diagnosis.

Lymphoma in Dogs: Prednisone Treatment

Lymphoma in dogs is a cancer of lymphoid cells. As these cells circulate throughout the body via the lymphatic system, lymphoma can develop on any part of the body. Tumors can occur in the lymph nodes, gastrointestinal tract, chest, skin, spleen, liver and bone marrow.



The condition can be found in dogs of various breeds and ages. It is however most common in certain breeds such as Airedale Terrier, Basset Hound, Boxer, German Shepherd and Rottweiler. Lymphoma tends to occur in middle aged or older dogs.



Treatment for Lymphoma in Dogs



Chemotherapy is the main treatment for lymphoma in dogs.



Prednisone therapy is the other dog lymphoma treatment. Prednisone is a corticosteroid that can kill tumor cells. However, it is not as effective as chemotherapy for treating lymphoma in dogs. Prednisone is primarily used to manage symptoms of the disease.



When to Use Prednisone as Treatment for Lymphoma in Dogs



The decision to use prednisone for treating lymphoma in dogs depends on a number of factors. The main one is cost as it tends to be less expensive than chemotherapy.



Some pet owners are not in favor of chemotherapy due to its toxicity. They may opt for prednisone therapy as it can help to relieve symptoms and make their dogs more comfortable in the short term.



Side Effects of Prednisone



Like most drugs, there are some side effects to using prednisone for treating lymphoma in dogs. Interestingly, some of these side effects are similar to those experienced by humans who also use the drug.



The side effects of prednisone include:



- Increased thirst and hunger: Dogs will eat more than usual and urinate more frequently due to increased water intake.



- Diabetes: Prednisone can cause insulin resistance. This results in high glucose levels in the blood that can eventually cause diabetes.



- Loss of hair and changes in coat: Hair loss is a frequent side effect of using prednisone on dogs. In some cases, not only does the dog's coat become thinner, the healthy sheen also disappears. Some dogs will also develop hard to heal skin infections.



- Gastrointestinal problems: These include diarrhea, stomach ulcers and even vomiting.



- Cushing's disease: This condition can be quite serious. Canine Cushing's disease results in an overproduction of cortisone. This hormonal imbalance has a number of symptoms, such as an impaired immune system, weight gain or loss and increased thirst.



- Changes in behavior: Prednisone use also results in dogs becoming restless and even aggressive.



Dogs treated with prednisone alone usually live for 2-3 months only. When prednisone is given in combination with other chemotherapy drugs, the expected lifespan is about a year.