Titan is a 7-year-old Golden Retriever whose parents are Drs. Jeanne Lane and Michael Lane of MedVet Cincinnati.
Change in Behavior
Titan’s family noticed his energy and appetite were lacking. He wasn’t hungry in the morning like he usually was and he no longer had the energy to fetch his tennis ball.
Titan was brought to MedVet for diagnostic testing. With two veterinary specialists as parents, one of them a medical oncologist and the other an internist, they never thought they would be in this situation. The bloodwork didn’t show anything conclusive so his family continued to keep an eye on him.
Diagnosis
But then, his parents noticed his lymph nodes were enlarged. When samples of the lymph nodes were taken, they discovered the worst — Titan had lymphoma.
Lymphoma is one of the most common cancers dogs can develop, and Golden Retrievers are even more likely to develop this disease. Common signs of lymphoma include swelling of the lymph nodes, lethargy, and decreased appetite. While lymphoma can’t be cured in dogs, most dogs respond well to chemotherapy and their lymphoma goes into remission, meaning they feel better and maintain a high quality of life.
In dogs and cats, chemotherapy is typically well tolerated because doses and schedules of treatment are given in a way to minimize the risk of side effects. With fewer side effects, pets can continue to enjoy their favorite activities with their families. On average, dogs with lymphoma that are treated with chemotherapy have a survival time of approximately 6-12 months.
Remission
Titan started his chemotherapy in June and he had a remarkable turnaround. As of late November, Titan was still doing great. His lymphoma was in complete remission and he handled his 16 treatments like a champ. Titan’s family is ecstatic that he’s eating well and back to his old playful self, always wanting to go swimming and of course, fetch tennis balls.
Canine cancer can affect any dog and any pet owner. Learn more about MedVet’s Medical Oncology services and Radiation Oncology services.