sarcoma | Leukemia in Dogs

Leukemia in Dogs
Leukemia is a cancerous pathology of blood cells made in the bone marrow.



What is dog leukemia?
All blood cells are made from stem cells contained in the hematopoietic bone marrow, which are found in the flat bones and head of the dog's long bones. This process is called the hematopoiesis. These stem cells, undifferentiated at the beginning, multiply within the bone marrow and differentiate and then mature gradually to form blood cells that will then be released into the bloodstream.

Leukemia corresponds to cancer of these blood cells in the dog. Depending on the line of blood cells affected, there are two major types of leukemia in dogs: myeloid leukemia and lymphocytic leukemia.

Myeloid leukemia in Dogs
The myeloid line counts the cells that give rise to erythrocytes (red blood cells), granulocytes and monocytes (two kinds of white blood cells), thrombocytes (blood platelets) and megakaryocytes. All these blood cells multiply in the bone marrow and differ entirely within the latter from immature cells called myéloblastes.

These immature cells sometimes proliferate abnormally in the bone marrow and gain blood or even infiltrate organs: it is referred to as acute myeloid leukemia. When they are differentiated and mature myeloid cells that proliferate abnormally, they are referred to as chronic myeloid leukemia.

Lymphocytic leukemia in Dogs
The lymphoid line counts the cells that will give birth to lymphocytes. It is from the lymphoblasts, immature cells contained in the bone marrow, that the T and B lymphocytes will be manufactured.

When these lymphoblasts proliferate abnormally in the bone marrow, gain blood and potentially infiltrate organs: it is referred to as acute lymphocytic leukemia. When they are differentiated and mature lymphoid cell lines that proliferate abnormally, chronic myeloid leukemia is referred to.

What are the causes of leukemia in dogs?
The causes of leukemia in dogs remain relatively uncertain at present but, however, genetic factors seem to occupy an important place in the occurrence of this type of condition. Genetic mutations caused by pollutants, drugs, radiation or even viruses are evoked.

The symptoms of leukemia in the dog?
In a dog with leukemia, different symptoms noticeable by its owner can be manifested among other things by:

High fatigue, a consequence of cytopenia, i.e. a lack of "normal" circulating blood cells,
Hyperthermia, an increase in body temperature above normal (between 38 °c and 39 °c normally in dogs),
A pallor of the mucous membranes due to a lack of red blood cells (anemia). This paleness can be noticed especially at the level of the animal's gums,
A slimming,

Swelling of the lymph nodes (Lymphadénomégalie),
Swelling of the tonsils in case of acute lymphocytic leukemia,
The onset of blood clotting disorders due to a blood platelet deficiency that can be perceived by the presence of petechiae (small blood infiltration visible in the skin or mucous membranes of the dog in the form of small red patches or purplish)
The onset of digestive disorders such as vomiting and diarrhea due to organic infiltration by cancer cells and/or an increase in blood calcium concentration (hypercalcemia).
In acute leukemias, the deterioration of the animal's state of health is relatively rapid, whereas in the case of chronic leukemia, the symptoms settle much more gradually.

Diagnosis of leukemia
The diagnosis of leukemia in dogs is primarily based on an examination called a bone marrow puncture/biopsy. This examination consists of the extraction of bone marrow from the animal by aspiration using a syringe and a large needle and then being able to observe microscopically the cells that constitute it.

This examination is usually supplemented by blood tests, chest and abdomen x-rays, and abdominal ultrasound as part of an extension balance. This assessment aims to investigate possible infiltration of abnormal cells in the organs and in the lymph nodes. It allows to know what "stage" is leukemia.

Dog leukemia: what treatments?
Leukemia in dogs is treated with chemotherapy protocols that will depend on different factors related to the dog and also, the type of leukemia diagnosed and its acute or chronic character. Unfortunately, this treatment will only allow in rare cases the remission of the dog but only to lengthen its life expectancy. It is also accompanied by heavy side effects.

The dog may also receive blood transfusion if it is suffering from anemia (lack of red blood cells) or thrombocytopenia (lack of blood platelets).

Unfortunately, the prognosis of dogs suffering from leukemia is mostly quite dark.

It is not often thought of, but herbal medicine can also be a valuable aid in the accompaniment of classical leukemia therapies. Many medicinal plants can thus act by helping the dog's organism to bear the side effects of anti-cancer drug treatments and by "boosting" the immunity of the dog. Alternative anti-cancer therapies from herbal medicine are also available to replace conventional chemotherapy treatments. Check with a specialist veterinarian.