Greencross Vets One of these dogs hides socks. The other hides early-stage lymphoma.
One of the most common types of canine cancer is lymphoma, a blood cancer affecting the lymphatic system, and can lurk in dogs without any physical signs. Visible signs can vary. Some dogs show no signs, while others may experience weight loss, vomiting, diarrhoea, new lumps on the body, or difficulty breathing.
Lymphoma can progress quickly in dogs, often without showing visible signs until it’s too late. That’s why it’s important to screen for lymphoma regularly. With regular screenings, we have a better chance of detecting lymphoma early.
There is now a way to find lymphoma early with a simple blood test
Cancer screening has come a long way. Based on early data, IDEXX Cancer DX testing can detect lymphoma from a single blood sample, even in dogs who don’t show signs. Lymphoma screenings are recommended as part of annual wellness tests for dogs aged 7 and older and for at-risk breeds starting at age 4. So, if your pet is at an age or is a breed where cancer is more likely to occur, then it’s important to screen your pet for lymphoma regularly.
Speak to your local Greencross Vet about how regular wellness testing and Cancer DX screening can help find lymphoma early. Call or make an appointment online by clicking here.
How to know if your dog is at-risk for cancer
Once your dog reaches 7 years old, regular screenings are an essential part of keeping them healthy. However, some breeds should start screening at 4 years old. Talk to your local Greencross Vet to determine your dog’s risk of developing cancer so you can develop a healthcare plan that meets your needs.
Why test your pet for lymphoma?
Cancer is the leading cause of death in adult dogs and lymphoma is one of the most common types of cancer. So if your dog is at risk of cancer, including lymphoma, it’s important to stay vigilant with annual Cancer DX screenings as part of your pet’s routine wellness testing. Because when we find cancer early, we can fight it early. Discuss Cancer DX screening for lymphoma with your local Greencross Vet.
When should you do a lymphoma cancer test for your pet?
Cancer screening is just a small part of a dog’s healthcare plan. Along with diet, exercise, routine screening, and a loving family, you and your veterinarian can help your dog live a long, healthy life.
What to do with results and how to understand them
Your Greencross Vet will discuss the outcome of the lymphoma test screening with you and explain the results to you.
When it comes to cancer, negative is a good thing. Just like people, dogs at risk of cancer should get screened regularly. While most tests will come back not consistent with lymphoma, the best way to find lymphoma early is to screen for it regularly. A result not consistent with lymphoma does not rule out other forms of cancer, or a lymphoma diagnosis in the future, so your local Greencross Vet might still recommend testing.
If the test returns a positive result and detects markers, your local Greencross Vet will discuss next steps with you. Early detection means we can often use less invasive treatments and improve outcomes for your dog. For confirmed lymphoma cases, next steps could include referral to a specialist or discussing treatment options like chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery or palliative care. Regular screenings are key to ensuring timely and accurate care.
Canine general cancer risk factors and at-risk breeds
Purebred dogs have 1.9 times the relative risk of cancer when compared to cross-bred and mixed-breed dogs1.
Common breeds with increased risk of cancer include:
- Beagle
- Bernese mountain dog
- Boston terrier
- Boxer
- Bullmastiff
- Chinese pug
- Doberman Pinscher
- English bulldog
- Flat-coated retriever
- French bulldog
- German shepherd
- Golden retriever
- Irish wolfhound
- Labrador retriever
- Miniature schnauzer
- Pembroke Welsh corgi
- Rhodesian ridgeback
- Rottweiler
- Scottish deerhound
- Scottish terrier
- Shar-pei
- Siberian husky
- Weimaraner
Healthy Pets Plus Senior Lifestage Plan benefit includes an annual Cancer DX screening!
Healthy Pets Plus is a proactive, preventative wellness program for dogs of all life stages and is designed by Greencross Vets. Membership benefits include all standard consultations at Greencross Vets, annual vaccinations as recommended by your vet, discounts on desexing or dental depending on the plan, wellness screening on the Senior Lifestage Plan, emergency consultations at participating sites across the Animal Referral and Emergency Network, access to WebVet 24/7, and much more! Learn more about Healthy Pets Plus here.
