In cats and dogs with nervous system signs the spinal fluid may show cancer cells. Abnormalities of blood and urine tests vary with the form of lymphoma. Blood calcium is increased in the blood of some dogs and rarely cats with lymphoma. Increased calcium results in increased thirst and urination and sometimes weakness and muscle twitches. Blood tests for feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus should be obtained in cats.
Some forms respond very well to chemotherapy and others respond very poorly.
Some forms respond better to treatment than others. Although each animal with lymphoma is unique, the generalized form and chest forms often respond well to treatment. The intestinal form is more responsive to treatment in cats than in dogs. Leukemia and the skin form respond poorly to treatment. About 20 percent of treated cats will still be alive one year after diagnosis and about 20 percent of dogs will be alive two years after the diagnosis of lymphoma.