What it is
Lymphocytes patrol the whole body and gather in the lymph nodes, small bean-shaped stations along the neck, shoulders and legs. In lymphoma some of these cells start to multiply out of control. The nodes swell as they fill with abnormal cells, and the same cells can settle in the spleen, liver, gut, skin or chest, crowding out healthy tissue.
Lymphoma tends to appear in middle-aged and older dogs. Its exact cause is not known; an inherited tendency and things in the environment are both suspected to play a part.
The first sign can be nothing more than a firm lump you feel while stroking under the jaw. Knowing where your dog's lymph nodes sit and how they feel when all is well makes such changes easier to spot. For a dog living with the disease, the days are shaped by its energy and appetite: short, gentle outings, a quiet place to rest and plenty of your company.
Signs you may notice
- Firm lumps under the jaw
- Swellings in front of the shoulders
- Listless and less playful
- Eats less
- Losing weight
- Drinks more
While stroking the dog you may feel enlarged, painless lymph nodes under the jaw, in front of the shoulders or behind the knees. The dog may also become listless, lose appetite, lose weight or drink more.
When to see a vet
Book a visit promptly if you feel new lumps under the jaw, in front of the shoulders or behind the knees. Struggling to breathe or collapse means a vet is needed immediately.
This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.