Symptoms of Blood Cancer in Dogs
The symptoms of blood cancer (also called leukemia) are usually quite non-specific. Symptoms range from loss of appetite to diarrhoea to fever. These non-specific symptoms make it difficult to diagnose and treat blood cancer at an early stage.
Unspecific Symptoms
One of the most common symptoms, for example, is loss of appetite, which can lead to refusal of food. This is often accompanied by weight loss. Moreover, in many cases a general weakness or apathy is noticeable. In addition, problems with digestion can occur. The dogs then show diarrhoea and vomiting. There may also be an increased need to drink and a resulting increase in urine flow. Less common symptoms of blood cancer in dogs include neurological abnormalities and epilepsy.
Palpable Symptoms
In addition to the non-specific symptoms mentioned above, blood cancer in dogs can also manifest itself through palpable symptoms. In dogs with blood cancer, for example, sometimes enlarged lymph nodes have been found. In the early stages, usually only one lymph node is affected by circumferential proliferation. However, as the disease progresses, several lymph nodes may swell. Initially, this usually occurs in a region, such as the neck. Later, the entire body can be affected. The frequent symptoms of blood cancer in dogs also include enlargement of the spleen and/or liver. Often lameness is found because of severe pain affecting the bones.
External Symptoms
In the course of cancer there may also be externally recognizable symptoms. Violet, small spots then form on the skin, reminiscent of tiny bruises. These are partly also found on the gums. Since these spots are often confused with bruises and are therefore considered harmless, attention should be paid to frequency and number. Many small violet spots, where the origin cannot be explained, should animate to go to the vet.
Treatment
There are several treatment options for blood cancer in dogs. Since cancer is often associated with a variety of painful symptoms, a treatment should be chosen that simultaneously combats both cause and symptoms. This includes, for example, the dendritic cell therapy. With the careful immune therapy it is possible to improve both the prognosis and the quality of life our four-egged friends and to increase the life expectancy.
Dr. Thomas Grammel ist Tierarzt aus Osterode am Harz. Er führte die Tierklinik Dr. Grammel in zweiter Generation seit 1989. Im Jahre 2019 hat er sie an seine Schwiegertochter Marina Grammel und seinen Sohn Dr. Lukas Grammel übergeben (heute Tiergesundheitszentrum Südharz). Im Schwerpunkt betreut heute Dr. Thomas Grammel deutschlandweit Tiere mit unterschiedlichen Tumorerkrankungen. Dabei behandelt er die Tiere selber vor Ort in Osterode im TGZ Südharz, er berät deutschlandweit aber auch Kolleginnen und Kollegen sowie Patientenbesitzer zur immunologischen Behandlung mit dendritischen Zellen bei erkrankten Tieren. Wichtig ist dabei immer die partnerschaftliche Zusammenarbeit im Sinne der Vierbeiner. Dr. Grammel hat an zahlreichen Kongressen im In- und Ausland teilgenommen und seine Arbeit erfolgreich vorgestellt.
