- Veterinarian Race Foster of PetEducation.com identifies a seizure as uncontrolled movements of the muscles, or muscle spasms. The dog may also display other symptoms of a seizure including loss of control over bowel movements, unusual or excessive salivation and loss of consciousness. The length and severity of an individual seizure can vary from dog to dog, depending on the severity of the lymphoma.
- Aside from the symptoms of a seizure, there are many additional symptoms associated with canine multicentric lymphoma. The most common symptom is swelling of multiple lymph nodes, especially in the neck, behind the knees, in the armpits or in the groin area of the affected canine. These swellings do not usually cause pain, but may be accompanied by weight loss, facial or leg swelling, loss of appetite and lethargy.
- Canine lymphoma is relatively easy to confirm, according to the Merck Veterinary Manual. Canine multicentric lymphoma can be diagnosed by taking a sample of the affected tissues with the use of a fine-needle aspiration. To determine if the CNS is involved, the lymphoma will need to be staged to determine the extent of the spreading, according to Purdue University.
- Canine lymphoma will likely be treated with the use of chemotherapy. Veterinarian Wendy Brooks adds that most dogs who undergo chemotherapy will not suffer from any side effects such as hair loss or vomiting, so owners should keep this is mind if they are wary of chemotherapy for their dog. Other options, such as surgical removal, are often ineffective, as multicentric lymphoma involves multiple lymph nodes, making surgery impractical.
- As with any canine cancer, the prognosis will vary greatly based on the individual case. Owners who opt out of treatment can expect that their dog may not live beyond six weeks. However, many dogs respond well to chemotherapy and can survive a year or more. That being said, owners whose dogs are experiencing seizures because of nervous system involvement can expect that their dog may not necessarily live long enough to meet this expected lifespan.
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