WILL MY PET SURVIVE?
Some studies report that pets receiving the standard chemotherapy protocol after B-cell lymphoma diagnosis live 9 to 13 months, while those without chemotherapy treatment survive fewer than 2 months. Other researchers demonstrate that, in dogs, the stage of the lymphoma plays a significant role in survival, where those in stage 1 (early diagnosis) survive 1.6 times longer than those with advanced-stage lymphoma.
Reports have also shown that the mean survival time for cats diagnosed with gastrointestinal lymphoma depends on the cancer grade. For instance, chemotherapy-treated cats with low-grade disease can survive up to 1.5 years, while those with intermediate- or high-grade disease live for 4 to 6 months.
As in humans, the consensus of pet data is that the earlier the diagnosis, the more likely longer your pet will survive longer. By taking full advantage of the available resources and maintaining regular visits to the vet, you can reduce the risk of late diagnoses. Experts recommend that elderly pets visit the vet twice yearly for examinations, as they are more prone to infections and disease. Be sure to regularly check your pet for signs of illness, such as enlarged lymph nodes.
A cancer diagnosis is scary, and the thought of losing your beloved pet is distressing. Understanding that cancer is a complex disease and appreciating that your pet’s survival depends on many factors may help you to cope with their diagnosis. Discuss with your vet the treatments that might best suit your pet and be realistic about the outcomes. And give your pet the love and comfort they deserve while undergoing treatment. You are your pet’s best friend, so being their primary source of relief and security, even if their time after diagnosis is short, will put them at ease and make their time with you precious.
The Pet Cancer Foundation’s Website Editorial team is comprised of veterinarians, veterinary oncologists, and veterinary technicians, as well as scientific writers and editors who have attained their PhD’s in the life sciences, along with general editors and research assistants. All content found in this section goes through an extensive process with multiple review stages, to ensure this extended resource provides pet families with the most up-to-date information publicly available.
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Keep Your Pets Healthy Editorial Team
Last Updated: October 21, 2022
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The following sources were referenced to write the content on this page:
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The Pet Cancer Foundation’s medical resource for pet owners is protected by copyright.
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