What is the most common cause of in Boxer dogs

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated September 16, 2024

Contributions sourced from

Lymphoma in Dogs: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Lymphoma is a common cancer in people and dogs that affects the lymph nodes and lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is made up of organs, tissues, and vessels. It is responsible for fighting infection and keeping a healthy level of fluids throughout the body.

While older dogs tend to be more predisposed to developing cancer, younger dogs can also be at risk. Understanding lymphoma can help owners come to terms with their dogs condition, assisting them in making more informed decisions about their dogs health.

What Is Lymphoma?

Scientifically speaking, lymphoma is a blanket term doctors use to describe a group of cancers that occur due to a change or overgrowth of lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell that helps the immune system fight off infection and are highly concentrated in organs that play an important role in the immune system. Organs like the lymph nodes, the spleen, and bone marrow are heavily affected by changes in lymphocyte levels. Most lymphoma cancers are found in these organs, but lymphoma can affect any organ in the body.

Veterinarians and human doctors use similar chemotherapy protocols to treat lymphoma in dogs and people. There are also similarities between dogs and humans in the way lymphoma is diagnosed and classified. However, precursor diseases, which are the presence of abnormal cells that progress to disease and increase the likelihood of illness, are more common in dogs than in people. These precursor diseases are tied to different types of lymphoma in dogs. For example, if they originate from cells in bone marrow, the cancer will involve blood or bone marrow.

Types of Lymphoma in Dogs and Their Symptoms

There are more than 30 different types of known canine lymphomas, all of which vary in aggressiveness, survival rates, and clinical signs. The symptoms of lymphoma in dogs arent always the same, which can make it difficult to diagnose at first.

The four most common types of lymphoma in dogs are:

Multicentric lymphoma
Alimentary lymphoma
Mediastinal lymphoma
Extranodal lymphoma

Multicentric Lymphoma

Multicentric lymphoma accounts for approximately 80% to 85% of lymphomas in dogs. This type of cancer affects the lymph nodes. In most cases, the most obvious sign for veterinarians is the lymph nodes rapidly getting larger. Lymph nodes are found in different parts of the body, such as the neck, chest, armpits, behind the knees, and groin, and any of these areas can be affected. Its common for dogs with lymphoma to have enlarged lymph nodes, between three to 10 times larger than normal. This swelling isnt painful and feels like a firm, rubbery lump that moves freely beneath the skin. Dogs with multicentric lymphoma may also develop lethargy, fever, anorexia, weakness, and dehydration as the disease progresses.

A pilot study on multicentric lymphoma found that several types of gut bacteria were found in greater amounts in dogs with multicentric lymphoma. This suggests their presence could potentially act as biomarkers for multicentric lymphoma, which are indicators of whats going on in a cell at a given time. By recognizing possible biomarkers of multicentric lymphoma, scientists may be able to more effectively track the diseases progress in the future.

Alimentary Lymphoma

The second most common form of lymphoma is called alimentary lymphoma, which accounts for less than 10% of canine lymphomas. Alimentary lymphoma targets the intestines, which is where the majority of symptoms occur. Dogs with alimentary lymphoma, which affects the intestines, may experience vomiting, abdominal pain, anorexia, diarrhea, and weight loss.

Mediastinal Lymphoma

Mediastinal lymphoma is rare. It is named for the mediastinal lymph nodes, which are the ones located in the chest area. This can be the location of this lymphoma, or the thymus, the gland that produces white blood cells. Either or both may become enlarged. This is caused by high-grade malignant T lymphocytes, which grow and spread quickly and dont look normal under a microscope.

As the disease progresses, dogs with mediastinal lymphoma may experience shortness of breath or have difficulty breathing. This can happen when fluids accumulate in the chest, creating additional pressure on the lungs and possibly even blocking veins that carry blood away from the heart. Affected dogs may also drink and urinate more frequently when calcium builds up in the blood.

Extranodal Lymphoma

Extranodal lymphoma in dogs refers to lymphoma that targets a specific organ, such as the skin, eyes, kidneys, lungs, or central nervous system. The most common extranodal lymphoma affects the skin and is called cutaneous lymphoma. The symptoms depend on the organs affected. Telltale signs of cutaneous lymphoma are individual, raised nodules or generally dispersed scaly lesions. Cutaneous lymphoma may also affect the gums, lips, and the roof of the mouth.

If extranodal lymphoma is located in the lungs, symptoms of respiratory distress are likely. Similarly, extranodal lymphoma in the kidneys could cause renal failure, lymphoma in the eyes can cause blindness, lymphoma in the central nervous system can lead to seizures, and lymphoma in the bones can cause pain or fractures.

What Causes Lymphoma in Dogs?

Lymphoma has only recently been properly recognized as a group of diseases with distinct subtypes. Still, there is a lot we dont know about what causes lymphoma in dogs. Lymphoma accounts for approximately 7% to 24% of cancers in dogs.

Since dogs share our environment, we know that they are exposed to many of the same environmental factors that may cause cancer in humans, including phenoxyacetic acid, toxic substances produced during the breakdown of chemicals, including pesticides, fungicides, medications, and chemical dyes. Researchers suspect that viruses, infections, age, and UV damage are possible contributors to cancer, with the most likely cause being a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

One study took a look at 78 breeds, and out of these, there was an increased risk of lymphoma in 30 dog breeds and a reduced risk in 26 breeds. Results for the remaining breeds were normal or not strong enough to reach a conclusion, meaning they were not statistically significant. Results suggested that male dogs, whom researchers noted were represented more than female dogs in the study, were more likely to develop lymphoma. Spayed or neutered dogs of both sexes were at higher risk for lymphoma when compared to intact dogs in this study.

There is hope that advanced genetic studies may help identify any underlying genetic and chromosomal causes and predispositions toward lymphoma. Genes can also help to explain why certain breeds are more predisposed to developing lymphoma, including the Golden Retriever, Beagle, Saint Bernard, and Rottweiler.

Diagnosing Lymphoma in Dogs

Once cancer is suspected, typically after observing an enlarged lymph node, the veterinarian will obtain a tissue sample from the affected organ. The most common diagnostic tool is a fine-needle aspiration. This extracts a sample of a dogs lymph nodes or organs to be evaluated through a cytology exam (examining a single type of cell) or by a biopsy (examining a section of tissue).

Some veterinarians recommend staging tests or will refer you to an oncologist following a lymphoma diagnosis to determine how far the disease has progressed. These tests help veterinarians understand your dogs overall condition (as well as the type of lymphoma) and may include blood tests, urinalysis, X-rays, abdominal sonograms, and bone marrow aspiration (removing a bit of fluid bone marrow).

There are five stages of lymphoma, depending on which sites are affected and the degree to which the cancer is localized or spread throughout the body:

Stage I: Involves a single lymph node
Stage II: Affects multiple lymph nodes in one region
Stage III: All lymph nodes affected (generalized)
Stage IV: Involves lymph nodes and organs such as the liver, spleen, or chest
Stage V: Involves the bone marrow

Treating Lymphoma in Dogs

Chemotherapy is the treatment proven most effective for canine lymphoma. The type of chemotherapy your vet recommends will vary depending on the type of cancer. In some cases, the vet may also suggest radiation therapy or surgery.

For instance, dogs with multicentric lymphoma are often given a chemotherapy protocol known as UW-25. UW-25 is based on the CHOP protocol used in humans, which involves using four different drugs that are administered together. When combined, they have a better chance of stopping the growth of cancer. Administering the drug lomustine (also known as CCNU) is thought to be the chemotherapy protocol thats most effective for treating cutaneous lymphoma.

Canine Lymphoma Prognosis

Lymphomas vary widely in their aggressiveness, and the prognosis will depend on the stage of your dogs cancer at the time of treatment and the treatment choice itself. According to a study, most dogs who receive chemotherapy experience remission, which could be complete (undetectable with screening tests) or partial (reducing cancer burden by 50%).

Unfortunately, many dogs with lymphoma will have a relapse at some point. When the cancer returns, it is more resistant to treatment, although a second remission can be achieved in some cases. Unfortunately, lymphoma will eventually likely be fatal.

Living With Canine Lymphoma

Talk to your vet about available treatment options and about what to expect as the disease progresses. Discuss the possibility of hospice care for your dog and what you can do to keep them comfortable. Being proactive about your dogs cancer can improve their quality of life and help you accept your role in their treatment program.

Lymphoma is a complex disease with many different factors that can impact your dogs health. If you are worried your dog might have lymphoma, or if you have more questions about your dogs cancer, call your vet.

Boxer Dog Breed Common Diseases, 10 Common Boxer Health Issues

Boxer Dog Breed Common Diseases

~ 10 Common Health Issues ~

Out of the vast and extensive range of dog breeds, boxers have recently gained popularity. Around the world, people love this breed to keep as pets or as watchful guard dogs. However, the setback of this breed is the multiple arrays of diseases it is prone to in its lifetime. Its important to be aware of the boxer dog breed common diseases that may occur in this animal.

Some typical boxer dog health issues are known to be hereditary. Before purchasing (or adopting), it is important to know the dogs genetic history from the breeder beforehand. The top 10 diseases most commonly found in boxer dogs are listed below.

1. Heart Disease

It is very normal for a boxer to be prone to cardiac issues. Because of their genetic makeup, Cardio Myopathy, where the heart is unable to pump the blood efficiently, may become an issue. Another health condition in boxers is aortic stenosis, which may prove to be fatal and result insudden death. Dilated cardiomyopathy, where the heart expands, usually occurs in 2- to 5-year-old boxers.

2. Stomach Bloating

Stomach bloating is a health issue in large dogs with deep chests and is common in boxers.The stomach twists inside the body which can block the blood supply to the body. Symptoms include excessive drooling, vomiting, and the dog might not eat at all.

3. Cancer

The boxer breed is prone to mast-cell cancer, which revolves around the lymph nodes, skin cancer, heart, reproductive organs, spleen, and thyroid. Monthly checkups with the vet are important to become knowledgeable about boxer dog diseases and to be able to recognize early symptoms and treatment procedures.

4. Hip Dysplasia

Boxer dogs commonly suffer from hip dysplasia in their hind limbs, where the joints get lose and reduce the bone efficiency. It is very painful, and medication is usually prescribed to ease suffering.

5. Eye Disease

Boxer dogs may suffer from the damage of the corneal tissues of the eyes, called refractory superficial ulcers which results in pain.

6. Neurological Disease

Boxers are prone to developing degenerative myelopathy, which is a neurological disease. The spinal cord and nerves of the hind legs are affected, thus making it difficult for the dog to walk.

7. Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is usually known as impaired thyroid gland function and results in low thyroid hormone level. Symptoms may include hair loss, weight gain, and infertility.

8. Alopecia

Growth hormone responsive alopecia causes hair loss in boxers due to the gland not producing enough growth hormone. The treatment is to opt for neuteringthe dog.

9. Colitis

Boxers tend to develop Histolytic Ulcerative Colitis, which is the inflammation of the colon. Symptoms include diarrhea with mucus and blood, which results in weight loss. Colitis can get better with medication.

10. Skin Disease

The most common skin disease found in boxers Is dmodctic mange, caused by parasites living in the dogs fur. Boxers are prone to suffering from food allergies and their surroundings which can result in skin infections and diseases.

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