My dog has swollen nodes. Could the lymphoma diagnosis be wrong?

I'm sorry Fonzy isn't doing well! I would definitely have him seen by another vet for a second opinion. While enlarged lymph nodes can be due to lymphoma (cancer), it can also be due to a local infection. Cancer is very common in senior dogs unfortunately, but further testing should be done beyond simply feeling them to definitively diagnose cancer. A fine needle aspirate should be done of them, which involves sticking a small needle into the lymph node to get a sample of it's cells, and examines the cells on a slide under a microscope. It's usually painless to the animal, and relatively quick to perform. Find another vet to get a second opinion for Fonzy in the next day or two. I hope this helps!

Sometimes there are diseases like lymphoma where there are characteristic symptoms that the vet just knows are caused by that disease. But I recommend getting a fine needle aspirate of Luna's lymph nodes to be sure.

Swollen lymph nodes can be a sign of cancer, tick borne diseases, or infections. The swollen nodes will not go back to normal until the underlying cause is addressed. I'd recommend seeing a veterinarian - a test for tick disease or sampling the lymph node with a needle might be recommended.

Unfortunately you could be correct that Laela's symptoms could be due to lymphoma. I would call your vet to see if they can call you if they have a cancellation and can see her sooner. There will be appointments that cancel usually, and they may be able to give you that appointment time so you can get her in sooner. You can also see if there is another vet in town who can see her sooner. Based on her symptoms, it's best that she is seen as soon as possible. I hope this helps!

I would recommend removal or at least a biopsy of the lymphnodes (where a little piece of the lymph node is removed). This can be done under geeneral anesthesia, which nowadays is very safe or, if your dog is very quiet, may be done under sedation and a local anesthesia (I would prefer the general anesthesia though). This could indeed be lymphoma or it could be reactive lymph nodes, swelling because they are filtering out bacteria and other material that the body does not deem healthy. Should it be lymphoma and you do not want chemotherapy , your dog can indeed be made comfortable with steroids. Rather than hoping and guessing whether it is lymphoma or not, the biopsy, whether done by taking the whole lymphnode or just part of it, will give you a diagnosis and then you can deal with the disease.

Not necessarily as other disease processes can cause lymph node swelling. Every case is different and some dogs have mild lymphadenoapthy at diagnosis and others have significant lymphadenopathy. In general however reactive lymphadenopathy is usually more mild. If lymphadenopathy is suspected it is important to rule out other causes such as systemic diseases (tick borne, fungal, etc.) especially in a young dog in certain parts of the country (or with a travel history), allergic skin disease, etc. Ultimately needle sampling of the lymph nodes is an initial step but will not always diagnose all cases. There are also different types of lymphoma with different presentations, prognoses, and treatment approach. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

If it has come back after the initial course of treatment, I would see if your vet can perform a fine needle aspirate and send it out for cytology review with a pathologist. This will help determine if the lymph node in question is suspicious for lymphoma or not. Hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any further questions / concerns. I am also available via consultation.