Some dogs are presented with signs of liver failure which can include jaundice and anemia. A diagnosis is made with a biopsy of a lymph node, spleen or liver for histopathology. Staging the extent of lymphoma involves hematology, blood chemistries, bone marrow aspirates, radiographs and ultrasound. Therapy for nodal lymphomas are well described and available to the practitioner in the field. Success for remission with chemotherapy is very good and the quality of life remains excellent.
Success rates are a function of tumor location.
Bone marrow involvement has a poorer prognosis. Remissions for nodal forms of two years or more are possible. Side effects of chemotherapy found in human patients are often absent in the dog. However, evaluation of hematology parameters are important to monitor toxicity. Without therapy most lymphoma patients succumb within 2 months of the diagnosis.