Search

Background: Lymphoma is considered to be the most common hematopoietic tumor in dogs (83%) having an overall cure rate of less than five percent. Although many chemotherapy protocols have been suggested, doxorubicin based combination protocols are widely associated with long disease free interval and improved duration of survival. Six dogs presented to Madras Veterinary College Teaching Hospital with clinical signs suggestive of lymphoma were taken up for this study. Methods: The dogs were subjected to detailed clinical examination and dermatological examination. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) samples were taken from the lymph nodes in cases of multicentric lymphoma and from cutaneous nodules in cases of cutaneous lymphoma. Tru-cut biopsy and impression smears were collected from the cutaneous nodules. The FNAC and impression smears revealed pleomorphic lymphocytes suggestive of lymphoma. Ultrasonographic examination of all dog revealed the enlargement of mesenteric lymph nodes and spotted appearance of spleen. Treatment with multi-agent chemotherapeutic protocol (University of Wisconsin - Madison, Lymphoma CHOP - 19 protocol) was initiated after confirmative diagnosis. Result: Remissions in clinical signs were noticed within a week of therapy and no evidence of peripheral lymph node enlargement could be appreciated after three weeks of therapy. The diagnostic and management plans were presented and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]