Lymphoid leukemia is a critically serious condition of the blood that can affect virtually any dog. As with other types of leukemia, this disease is characterized primarily by the overproduction of white blood cells. Because the white blood cells are made in the lymphatic system (including the lymph nodes, the spleen,and inside of bone marrow), this disease is often called lymphoid leukemia. Read on for a brief overview of this disease, including how to recognize it in your pet, how it's diagnosed, and how to help manage the condition.
Symptoms of Lymphoid Leukemia
The white blood cells that are produced in excess in cases of lymphoid leukemia act as foreign invaders to other parts of the body. They therefore will invade your pet's other organs and may cause them to swell. In extreme cases, you may even be able to see the swelling of the organs through your pet's abdomen or stomach. However, in most situations you will not be able to tell that this is occurring.
The other common symptoms of lymphoid leukemia that you're likely to see in your dog with this condition include:
- Loss of appetite and weight
- Sudden fever
- Lethargy
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
These symptoms are quite common and may be indicative of a number of other diseases. Therefore, it's important that you recognize your dog's developing of these or any other related symptoms. If you do notice them, take your pet in to the vet early on for an examination. Early detection of lymphoid leukemia is a crucial part of a successful diagnosis and treatment plan.
Diagnosing Lymphoid Leukemia
Lymphoid leukemia is typically diagnosed first through a physical examination. If your vet thinks that your dog displays some of the symptoms of lymphoid leukemia or that he may for some reason be predisposed to the disease (larger breeds of dog tend to have higher rates of contracting lymphoid leukemia than smaller breeds), he'll begin by taking a blood sample. This sample will be processed in the lab and can be counted to determine the number of white blood cells. If the white blood cell count is high, you'll need to continue by having a bone marrow biopsy, in which a small sample from your pet's bone marrow is tested to determine if he has the condition.
Treating Lymphoid Leukemia
Because the cause of lymphoid leukemia is unknown for dogs, it's impossible to prevent this condition. This also makes treating the condition a difficult prospect. If you work to provide your pet with chemotherapy early on, you stand a good chance of sending the disease into remission. In these cases, you'll still need to closely monitor your pet's blood count for the rest of his life. The disease is not fully curable.
For more information about lymphoid leukemia in dogs, and for information on how to treat your pet in cases of lymphoid leukemia, consult with a vet.