Can Dogs Get Cancer? Understanding Canine Cancer and Finding a Canine Oncologist Near Me
Dog Cancer
June 27, 2024
Hope and Reality: Navigating Canine Lymphoma Treatments Without a Miracle Cure
When a beloved furry family member gets a cancer diagnosis like lymphoma, it’s easy to dive into the depths of the internet to try and find the best way to help them, to cure them. The desperate search for a miracle cure is a constant fight for pet parents put into this difficult position. Many pet parents would be willing to try anything to save their adored dog, while the search is often bound to lead to disappointment and additional stress, there is always some hope to be found.
What is lymphoma?
Canine lymphoma is a common and serious cancer in dogs, affecting the lymphatic system, which is part of the immune system. The lymphatic system includes lymph nodes, the spleen, and other organs that produce and store cells that fight infection.
Lymphoma in dogs can occur in various forms, with the most common being multicentric lymphoma, which affects multiple lymph nodes. The main types of lymphoma other than multicentric would include alimentary lymphoma, which affects the gastrointestinal tract; mediastinal lymphoma, which affects the chest, leading to breathing difficulties; extranodal lymphoma, which occurs in organs other than lymph nodes, including skin, eyes, kidneys, or central nervous system.
You can learn more about canine lymphoma in other posts on our blog.
Where is the miracle cure for canine lymphoma?
The search for a miracle solution to canine lymphoma is still in progress. As of right now, there is no way to cure canine lymphoma. The best solution that is achievable for dogs with lymphoma is to reach remission through the use of chemotherapy drugs.
Canine lymphoma is a complex disease with various forms and stages, making a one-size-fits-all cure unrealistic. The myth of a miracle cure often stems from a desire for a quick, painless solution, but understanding the advancements in treatment can provide a more realistic and hopeful perspective—without the disappointment that comes from a misguided hunt for a cure.
Advancements in Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy remains the cornerstone of lymphoma treatment in dogs. Protocols such as the CHOP (Cyclophosphamide, Hydroxydaunorubicin, Oncovin, Prednisone) regimen have been refined over the years, leading to higher remission rates and longer survival times. Dogs can often achieve remission and enjoy a good quality of life for months to years with the right chemotherapy plan. While chemotherapy is not a cure, it is highly effective in managing the disease and extending life.
Learn more about chemotherapy treatments for canine lymphoma here.
Targeted Therapies and Immunotherapy
Recent advancements in targeted therapies and immunotherapy have shown promise in treating canine lymphoma. Targeted therapies focus on specific molecules involved in cancer growth, offering a more precise attack on cancer cells with fewer side effects. Drugs like Laverdia or Palladia® are examples of targeted therapies used in veterinary oncology.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy has also seen advancements, particularly in precision and delivery methods. Unlike other cancers, lymphoma is a systemic disease, which means it spreads throughout the body and is not localized to a single area. As a result, radiotherapy for a lymphoma patient would involve administering radiation to the entire body. While this would certainly target all of the cancerous cells, there would also be an impact on the dog's healthy cells. It’s not typically the go-to for lymphoma treatment but adding in half-body radiation treatment can be beneficial in rare gastrointestinal lymphoma.
You can read more about half-body radiation for lymphoma treatment here.
Palliative Care and Supportive Treatments
While a cure remains elusive, palliative care and supportive treatments play a crucial role in managing canine lymphoma. These approaches focus on improving the quality of life and alleviating symptoms. Pain management, nutritional support, and therapies to reduce the side effects of cancer treatments are integral to comprehensive cancer care for dogs.
You can read more about palliative care in our post here.
What’s the next best thing if there’s no perfect solution?
While the dream of a miracle cure for canine lymphoma remains unfulfilled, the advancements in treatment provide hope and tangible benefits. By focusing on evidence-based therapies and embracing the latest scientific progress, we can offer dogs with lymphoma the best possible chance for a longer, healthier life. Pet owners should work closely with their veterinarians to navigate the available options and make informed decisions about their pet’s care, always with the goal of achieving the best quality of life for their beloved companions.
Personalized Prediction Profile
ImpriMed is constantly working towards a future with better results for dogs diagnosed with lymphoma. Through research and advancements in technology, ImpriMed has been able to develop a one of a kind system that takes a patient’s living cancer cells and runs them against a database of thousands of previous patients’ cells and the results of their treatments to find the best treatment for your dog. Using AI technology and constantly progressing research, ImpriMed has been able to develop the Personalized Prediction Profile that has helped many dogs achieve remission quickly with the most effective treatment for their individual case and situation.
Here are some examples of how ImpriMed’s Personalized Prediction Profile has helped other dogs reach remission (sometimes multiple times over).
Yoki’s Success Story
Yoki, a friendly and well-mannered dog, loves spending time outdoors and enjoys car and boat rides with his family. When Yoki started coughing, sneezing, and showing decreased appetite and activity, his owner Denise took him to the vet. Enlarged lymph nodes were found, and further tests confirmed lymphoma, a cancer of the immune system. Denise relied on the veterinary oncologist she was referred to, Dr. Choy, and his expertise to manage Yoki's treatment.
Dr. Choy has worked with ImpriMed for over three years, witnessing its continuous advancements in improving diagnostic accuracy. He credits ImpriMed with playing a crucial role in Yoki’s success, enabling the selection of the most effective rescue protocols and prolonging Yoki's remissions beyond typical expectations. ImpriMed's data-driven insights helped tailor Yoki's treatment, significantly extending his remission periods and improving his quality of life for over 2.5 years after his diagnosis.
Denise recommends ImpriMed to other pet parents, emphasizing the importance of relying on veterinary expertise combined with advanced, personalized diagnostic tools. Yoki's journey is a testament to the advancements in veterinary oncology, demonstrating how personalized prediction profiles can significantly enhance treatment outcomes and offer hope to families facing similar challenges.
Read more about Yoki’s story here.
Gabby’s Success Story
When Gabby, a typically lazy and food-loving English bulldog, began losing weight and developed swollen glands in May 2021, her concerned owners took her to the vet. Diagnosed with B-cell lymphoma in June, they faced delays in seeing an oncologist due to COVID-19 restrictions, finally meeting Dr. Choy in August. Initially, Gabby was treated with the standard CHOP chemotherapy protocol, but she relapsed after just a few treatments.
To identify the most effective next step, Dr. Choy used the ImpriMed Personalized Prediction Profile—which indicated that Tanovea® would be the most effective for Gabby. The treatment worked exceptionally well, bringing her into complete remission.
Gabby’s owners were grateful for the personalized approach, which saved time and provided an effective treatment after the initial failure. Despite side effects, Gabby remained in remission, her blood work showed good results, and her appetite returned. Her owners advise others to stay positive and hopeful, as advancements in personalized treatment can make a significant difference.
Read more about Gabby’s story here.
Daisy’s Success Story
Daisy, a charming pitsky with mixed-colored eyes and a gentle soul, was a joyful addition to Robert and his wife’s family. In 2021, during a routine check-up, swollen lymph nodes led to a diagnosis of aggressive lymphoma. Daisy’s initial treatment with the CHOP chemotherapy protocol brought her into remission for nearly a year before she relapsed.
Facing limited options, Robert turned to the ImpriMed Personalized Prediction Profile in August 2022. ImpriMed’s data suggested Tanovea®, which proved highly effective and significantly reduced the swelling of Daisy’s lymph nodes.
Robert’s experience with ImpriMed offered renewed hope, as it wasn't a one-size-fits-all solution but a tailored treatment plan based on Daisy's unique cancer profile. This personalized strategy helped Daisy achieve an excellent response, extending her life and improving her quality of life. Daisy's journey underscores the importance of personalized treatment in fighting canine lymphoma, offering hope and more time for pets and their families.
Read more about Daisy’s story here.
ImpriMed is here to help you and your dog make it through this trying time
Find out how to get your vet involved with ImpriMed here. Or find a vet already working with ImpriMed’s programs here.
