Canine Lymphoma

 
My friends Zander, Elle Mae and Fenway are all battling a cancer called Lymphoma.

Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymph nodes and lymphatic system, and is one of the most common types of cancer affecting canines. Dogs of all ages are affected, but lymphoma is predominately diagnosed in middle-age dogs, with the median age reported to vary between 5-7 years of age.

The most common presentation of lymphoma in dogs is peripheral lymph node enlargement, in an otherwise healthy dog. When dogs are systemically ill from lymphoma, clinical signs are varied but may include anorexia, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, melena, cough, dyspnea, and exercise intolerance.

 
Of course I’m not a doctor, so I’m always searching and digging up information that is written by professionals, and I came across this wonderful piece, Canine Lymphoma, which was written by veterinarians who treat patients at Veterinary Cancer Specialists, which is the oncology department at the Veterinary Cancer Referral Center of Colorado.

I also dug up this very exciting and encouraging news from a recent announcement by Veterinary Emerging Technologies Development Corporation, which states that it has raised $1.5 million to develop an agent it calls VDC-1101 for what could be the first drug specifically designed to combat canine lymphoma. “We are thrilled to secure this funding and initiate our VDC-1101 manufacturing campaign,” stated Steven Roy, VetDC’s President & CEO. “This financing is a clear validation of the VetDC business concept and reinforces our belief that VDC-1101 represents a promising new treatment for canine lymphoma.”

Each year thousands of dogs are diagnosed with cancer, and lymphoma continues to top the list. Thanks to advances in veterinary medicine though, we get closer each day to prolonging the lives of our best friends, and hopefully finding a cure for cancer. My friends Zander, Elle Mae and Fenway were all diagnosed with Lymphoma in 2012. They, and thousands of dogs just like them, fight this disease with determination and bravery, and remind us each day that we must never, ever, ever, give up!

Zander and Elle Mae also have their own Facebook pages, where you can be their friend and follow their progress.

Let’s Stick It To Canine Cancer!!