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My dog has lymphoma. Is he in pain or discomfort from his condition?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Catahoula Leopard Dog | Female | unspayed | 11 years and 2 months old | 60 lbs

Does Lymphoma in my dog cause him pain

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Davis

Veterinarian

Published on October 13th, 2017

I'm sorry Katie has lymphoma. Lymphoma generally is not painful. The clinical signs usually are weakness and lethargy, poor appetite, exercise intolerance and sometimes difficulty eating and breathing if the lymph nodes in the neck get very large and put pressure on the throat area. This cancer is fairly responsive to chemotherapy and the dogs often go into remission for several months depending on the drug protocol. When the cancer returns though usually the dogs decline quickly and need to be euthanized when their quality of life is poor. I hope she can maintain a good quality of life for a while longer. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Katie.

2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Stacey Anstaett, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on June 15th, 2018
I'm sorry Eva is having trouble. I am worried that Eva's "previously diagnosed lymphoma" may be the major issue here. I don't know if you are saying that she was previously diagnosed and treated with chemo and went into remission, or if she is currently receiving chemotherapy for a very recent diagnosis.

If she was treated previously and was in remission, she could be coming out of remission. While lymphoma is responsive to chemotherapy it will eventually always relapse.

If she is currently receiving chemo for lymphoma, some of her symptoms (GI upset, anemia) could be due to the treatment.

If you would like to have a consult, I may be able to further assist you since it sounds like she's a bit of a complicated case.

I hope that's helpful. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach and I hope Eva gets to feeling better.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Published on November 28th, 2017
Breathing difficulties can indeed cause suffering, not in the form of pain but in the form of great distress. as long as she is eating and seems to be enjoying life you can wait with the euthanasia but once you see a drastic change you will know that it is the time.
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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