Hearing that your dog has lymphoma can leave you wondering how much time you have together and whether treatment will help them feel better or make life more difficult. There is often a lot to take in, particularly if your dog still seems well and the diagnosis began with a few enlarged lymph nodes.
Lymphoma can be one of the more manageable cancers in dogs, with some forms responding very well to chemotherapy. Treatment usually aims to bring the cancer under control for a time, allowing your dog to feel well and continue enjoying family life. What we can realistically expect depends on the type of lymphoma, how far it has progressed and your dog’s overall health. [1,2]
When I discuss the options with a family, I consider both what treatment might achieve and what it will involve for their dog and for them. This includes the appointments, costs and care at home. If chemotherapy is unsuitable or the family decides against it, we can still offer care focused on keeping their dog comfortable.
What is lymphoma in dogs?
Lymphoma is a cancer of lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell involved in the immune system. It can affect lymph nodes or develop in other areas, including the gut, skin and organs. Multicentric lymphoma means that several groups of lymph nodes are affected. [1]
Some lymphomas grow rapidly, while others progress slowly and may need a different approach to treatment. Identifying the type helps your veterinarian explain how the illness is likely to progress and what treatment may achieve. [3]
Symptoms of lymphoma in dogs: what owners may overlook
One of the changes owners can overlook is a lymph node that gradually becomes larger. Your dog may still be eating and behaving normally, so the swelling does not necessarily seem urgent. When several lymph nodes are enlarged, I would investigate for lymphoma even if the dog otherwise seems well.
Other signs depend on the areas affected. These can include reduced appetite, weight loss, lethargy, vomiting or diarrhoea. Disease within the chest can cause breathing difficulties. Enlarged lymph nodes need veterinary assessment, but swelling alone does not confirm cancer. [1]
If you notice a persistent or enlarging lump, arrange an examination rather than waiting for your dog to become unwell. Breathing difficulty requires urgent veterinary attention.
How is lymphoma diagnosed?
I usually start with a fine-needle aspirate: a small needle collects cells from an enlarged lymph node for examination. This can often diagnose lymphoma, but it does not give a definite answer in every case or identify every subtype. [1]
I may recommend removing a lymph node for laboratory examination, called an excisional biopsy. Examining the whole tissue helps the pathologist confirm the diagnosis and classify the lymphoma more precisely. Tests on the cells or tissue can also help distinguish B-cell from T-cell lymphoma, which arise from different types of immune cells. This information can help guide treatment and expectations. [1]
Once lymphoma is confirmed, we assess its extent, known as staging. Chest X-rays and an abdominal ultrasound help assess changes inside the body, although scans alone cannot confirm every area of involvement. Further sampling may be needed if a finding would affect the treatment plan. [1]
Chemotherapy for lymphoma in dogs
Many dogs with lymphoma affecting the lymph nodes respond to chemotherapy. Cornell’s oncology service reports that a multidrug protocol can bring up to 90% of dogs into remission. The likelihood for an individual dog depends on the lymphoma and the treatment used. [2]
A commonly used treatment is CHOP, a combination of medicines given over a series of appointments. Treatment aims to achieve remission. In a partial remission, the cancer has reduced; in a complete remission, it is no longer detectable on the examinations and tests used to assess the response. Cancer cells may still remain, and lymphoma commonly returns. [4]
Veterinary chemotherapy aims to control cancer while maintaining quality of life. Many dogs tolerate it well, but vomiting, diarrhoea, reduced appetite and low white blood cell counts can occur. Blood tests help the veterinary team decide whether it is appropriate to give the next treatment. Your family should also know which changes to report promptly and whom to contact if your dog becomes unwell, because serious complications can occur. [5]
Can lymphoma in dogs be cured, and how long can they live?
For most dogs receiving conventional chemotherapy, the aim is to achieve remission and preserve quality of life. A complete remission does not mean that the lymphoma has been cured, because cancer cells may remain and the disease can return. [1,4]
A 2024 study of 502 dogs with B-cell lymphoma affecting the peripheral lymph nodes reported median survival of approximately 10–11 months with two commonly used chemotherapy schedules. Median means that half the dogs lived longer and half lived for less time. These results give us a starting point for discussion, but they cannot predict an individual dog’s outcome. [4]
Is my dog too old for chemotherapy?
I am particularly cautious with very elderly dogs. In my experience, dogs around 16 years or older may find chemotherapy harder to tolerate, so I look carefully at their existing illnesses and how well they are managing day to day. I would not use their age alone to decide whether to offer treatment.
For example, I would want to assess kidney function in an elderly dog, including one who has never been diagnosed with kidney disease. Blood and urine tests help us look for problems that could affect the treatment plan; age by itself cannot tell us how well the kidneys are working. [6]
The risks also depend on the particular medicine. Chemotherapy drugs do not all have the same effects on the kidneys, liver, heart or bone marrow. Your veterinarian should explain the concerns relevant to the proposed protocol and your dog’s health. [5]
What if chemotherapy is declined or stops working?
If chemotherapy is declined or no longer helps, we can focus treatment on relieving symptoms and maintaining comfort. Steroids such as prednisolone may reduce lymphoma-related swelling and improve symptoms for a time, although the benefit is generally shorter than with combination chemotherapy. A 2021 trial of 109 dogs with intermediate- or large-cell nodal lymphoma treated with prednisone alone reported a median survival of 50 days. The dogs in that trial had particular forms of lymphoma, so the result should not be applied to every dog with this diagnosis. [7]
If chemotherapy remains a possibility, discuss it before starting steroids. Steroids can make lymphoma less responsive to later chemotherapy, so the timing needs to be considered. Do not stop an existing prescription without veterinary advice. [3]
My experience with an unconventional last-line treatment
In my clinical work, I have used stem cells supplied by the National University of Singapore (NUS), injected directly into enlarged lymph nodes, alongside low-dose steroids for multicentric lymphoma. I observed a period in which the patient continued to enjoy a good quality of life, although the treatment did not achieve a cure.
This remains an unconventional treatment that I would consider only as a last-line approach, when conventional options have stopped working or are unsuitable for the patient. Although I have observed a period of good quality of life during treatment, studies in dogs are not yet extensive enough to establish its effectiveness and safety for canine lymphoma.
Palliative care for dogs with lymphoma
When the goal is palliative care, I prioritise how your dog feels each day and whether we can keep them comfortable. The plan may include managing nausea and pain, supporting food intake and addressing complications such as anemia, a reduction in red blood cells that can contribute to weakness. Treatment should also account for other illnesses and the family’s ability to provide care. [9]
At home, I would ask you to watch your dog’s appetite, energy, weight and willingness to take part in familiar activities. If they are eating less, losing weight or becoming increasingly tired, I would want to review them and see whether we can improve how they feel. When symptoms such as pain or nausea become harder to control despite treatment, we need to reassess whether their quality of life can still be maintained.
You can read more about everyday support in our guide to palliative care for dogs.
Lymphoma treatment in Singapore: access, costs and planning
Where can my dog receive treatment?
Start with your usual veterinarian, who can help confirm the diagnosis and discuss whether an oncology referral would be useful. Specialist veterinary oncology care is available in Singapore. Ask which parts of the treatment and monitoring can be coordinated with your regular clinic, and which require referral appointments. [10]
How much does chemotherapy for dogs cost in Singapore?
Ask the treating clinic for an individual estimate. The medicines, doses and appointment schedule vary with the protocol and your dog’s size, and the overall bill also needs to account for diagnostic tests, monitoring and supportive care. A price for one chemotherapy visit does not tell you the cost of the full course. [11]
Before committing to a treatment plan, ask for an estimate that includes consultations, blood tests, medicines and possible unplanned visits. Discuss the likely appointment schedule, who will give medicines at home and whom to contact outside normal clinic hours. These practical details help you decide whether the plan is sustainable.
Planning care at home
As the illness progresses, it is also helpful to discuss what you would do if symptoms could no longer be controlled. Your veterinarian can help you recognise when euthanasia may be the kindest option, with time to talk through your concerns before a crisis develops.
If your dog has just been diagnosed, ask your veterinarian which type of lymphoma has been identified, whether further tests would change the recommendations, and what each treatment could realistically offer. Understanding the likely benefits and demands of treatment will help you choose a plan that you can sustain and that keeps your dog’s comfort at the centre of their care.
Browse more cancer guides in the Canine Cancer Library.
References
- Fan TM. Lymphoma in Dogs. MSD Veterinary Manual. Reviewed 2023; updated 2025. https://www.msdvetmanual.com/circulatory-system/lymphoma-in-dogs/lymphoma-in-dogs
- Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Oncology: Medical Conditions. Undated. https://www.vet.cornell.edu/hospitals/services/oncology/oncology-medical-conditions
- University of Minnesota, Modiano Lab. Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. Undated. https://vetmed.umn.edu/modiano-lab/cancer-center/non-hodgkin-lymphoma
- Hawkes C et al. Comparison of CHOP-19 and CHOP-25 for treatment of peripheral nodal B-cell lymphoma in dogs: A European multicenter retrospective cohort study. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.17222
- AAHA. 2026 AAHA Oncology Guidelines: Therapeutic Modalities—Chemotherapy. 2026. https://www.aaha.org/resources/2026-aaha-oncology-guidelines-for-dogs-and-cats/section-5-therapeutic-interventions/therapeutic-modalities-chemotherapy/
- AAHA. 2023 AAHA Senior Care Guidelines: Evaluating the Unhealthy Senior Pet. 2023 guideline; webpage published 2022. https://www.aaha.org/resources/2023-aaha-senior-care-guidelines-for-dogs-and-cats/evaluating-the-unhealthy-senior-pet/
- Rassnick KM et al. Survival time for dogs with previously untreated, peripheral nodal, intermediate- or large-cell lymphoma treated with prednisone alone: the Canine Lymphoma Steroid Only trial. 2021. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.259.1.62
- NUS Medicine. Novel cancer therapy extends lives of terminally ill dogs. 2023. https://medicine.nus.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/19JAN2023-Press-Release-Novel-cancer-therapy-extends-lives-of-terminally-ill-dogs.pdf
- AAHA. 2026 AAHA Oncology Guidelines: Supportive and Symptomatic Care. 2026. https://www.aaha.org/resources/2026-aaha-oncology-guidelines-for-dogs-and-cats/section-7-supportive-and-symptomatic-care/
- Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Hospital, Singapore. Oncology—Cancer Management. Undated; accessed 20 October 2026. https://www.veshospital.com.sg/services/cancer-care/
- NC State Veterinary Hospital. Canine Multicentric Lymphoma. Undated; accessed 20 October 2026. https://hospital.cvm.ncsu.edu/services/small-animals/cancer-oncology/oncology/canine-lymphoma/
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