Canine and Feline Lymphosarcoma
Lymphosarcoma is a malignant cancer of the lymph nodes and lymphoid tissue that affects both dogs and cats, most often dogs over four years of age. It presents in multicentric, alimentary, and thymic forms, each with distinct clinical signs. While incurable, prompt chemotherapy can extend life from a matter of weeks to 6–24 months.
Canine and Feline Lymphosarcoma (Lymphoma)
Lymphosarcoma, or lymphoma, is a malignant lymphoid tumor in dogs and cats that appears as multicentric, alimentary, or thymic forms with lymph-node enlargement, diarrhea, or chest masses. Diagnosis uses aspirate, biopsy, and imaging, and veterinary-directed chemotherapy can extend life, though the disease is generally not curable.
Canine and Feline Spinal Cord Tumors
Spinal cord tumors in dogs and cats compress the cord and cause weakness, incoordination, or paralysis depending on location, with German Shepherds commonly affected. Diagnosis uses imaging and myelography, and treatment is usually veterinary-directed chemotherapy, though prognosis is often poor.
Canine and Feline Brain Tumors
Brain tumors in dogs and cats are usually meningeal or glial growths that appear in older pets and compress brain tissue, causing behavior changes, circling, head tilt, blindness, and seizures. Diagnosis uses neurological exam and MRI or CT, and treatment may include surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy, though prognosis is often poor.
Canine and Feline Hemangioma and Hemangiosarcoma
Hemangiomas are slow-growing benign blood-vessel tumors, while hemangiosarcomas are aggressive malignant vascular tumors of the skin, spleen, liver, heart, or bone. Diagnosis uses imaging and biopsy, and treatment may include surgery and veterinary-directed chemotherapy, though prognosis is often poor once spread occurs.
Leiomyomas in Dogs and Cats
Leiomyomas are benign smooth-muscle tumors of dogs and cats that arise in the uterus, gut, and vessels and are removed surgically. The rare malignant leiomyosarcoma is prevented by early excision, with follow-up anti-cancer medication when needed.
Myomas (Rhabdomyomas and Leiomyomas) in Dogs and Cats
Myomas are muscle tumors including rhabdomyomas and leiomyomas that may be benign or malignant; dogs most often show malignant rhabdomyosarcoma with a possibly hereditary cause. They can occur in any muscle organ and are hard to remove once invasive, so anti-cancer medication is used.
Multiple Myeloma in Dogs and Cats
Multiple myeloma is a rare malignant plasma-cell tumor of the bone marrow in dogs and cats that overproduces immunoglobulin, causing lameness, bone pain, anemia, bleeding, and weakness. Diagnosis uses X-rays, bloodwork, and marrow sampling, and treatment is chemotherapy with infection control.
Chondrosarcomas in Dogs and Cats
Chondrosarcoma is a malignant cartilage tumor, the second most common bone cancer, favoring flat bones like ribs, nasal bones, and pelvis and seen more in German Shepherds. Surgery is the treatment with a guarded prognosis, plus follow-up anti-cancer medication.
Chondromas in Dogs and Cats
Chondromas are benign cartilage tumors of dogs and cats attached to long bones, ribs, pelvis, and sternum, usually causing no signs. They need no treatment unless swollen or pressing on a nerve, when surgery is considered.
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