Your Best Friend Deserves the Best Care

Cancer is the leading cause of death in adult dogs, and lymphoma is one of the most common types. If your dog is at risk for cancer, including lymphoma, it’s important to stay vigilant with annual cancer screenings as part of your pet’s routine wellness testing. Because when we find cancer early, we can fight it early. Talk with your veterinarian to determine your dog’s risk of developing cancer so you can develop a healthcare plan that meets your and your dog’s needs.

Screening for Lymphoma

One of the most common types of canine cancer is lymphoma, a blood cancer affecting the lymphatic system. Visible signs can vary. Some dogs show no signs, while others may experience weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, new lumps on the body, or difficulty breathing. Lymphoma can progress quickly in dogs, often without showing visible signs until it’s too late. That’s why it’s important to screen for lymphoma regularly.

A Simple Blood Test with Extraordinary Possibilities

Cancer detection has come a long way. Based on early data, IDEXX Cancer Dx™ testing can detect lymphoma from a single blood sample, before clinical signs are noted. If your dog is at risk for lymphoma, talk with your veterinarian about regular screenings.

Wellness Starts with a Plan

Once your dog reaches 7 years old, regular screenings are an essential part of keeping them healthy. Some breeds should start screening at 4 years old. At-risk dogs include all dogs 7 years or older and high-risk breeds 4 years or older.

The following breeds are at higher risk for cancer:

When It Comes to Cancer, Negative Is a Good Thing

Just like people, dogs at risk for cancer should get screened regularly. And while most tests will come back not consistent with lymphoma, the best way to find lymphoma early is to screen for it regularly. A result not consistent with lymphoma doesn’t guarantee that your dog won’t develop lymphoma or another type of cancer in the future. Regular screenings are key to ensuring timely and accurate care.

What to Expect from a Positive Result

If your dog’s test results are consistent with lymphoma, your veterinarian may recommend further evaluation with additional diagnostics to confirm presence of disease. For confirmed lymphoma cases, next steps could include referral to a specialist or discussing treatment options like chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, or palliative care. Many dogs tolerate chemotherapy well, maintaining a good quality of life throughout treatment.

If further testing shows no signs of lymphoma or if you choose not to pursue further testing, your veterinarian may review symptoms to watch for at home and recommend a recheck in 8–12 weeks.

The Best Gift You Can Give Your Dog? Old Age.

Cancer screening is just a small part of a dog’s healthcare plan. Along with diet, exercise, routine screening, and a loving family, you and your veterinarian can help your dog live a long, healthy life. Discuss screening for lymphoma with your veterinarian.

Want to learn more? Visit wearethecure.org and fetchacure.org.

Discuss screening for lymphoma
with your veterinarian.

*At-risk dogs include all dogs ≥ 7 years old and high-risk breeds ≥ 4 years old.

Scientific References

1. What are the most common types of cancers in dogs? How many dogs typically get cancer? Veterinary Cancer Society; 2021. www.vetcancersociety.org/pet-owners/faqs
2. Connell D, Nascimento A, Helm Z, Michael H. Early detection of lymphoma by IDEXX Cancer Dx testing in 7 cases. Poster presented at: Veterinary Cancer Society Annual Conference; September 25–27, 2025; Salt Lake City, UT.
3. Bergmann M, Sauter-Louis C, Hirschberger J. Lebensqualität und Lebenserwartung am malignen Lymphom erkrankter Hunde unter Chemotherapie. Eine Besitzerumfrage [Quality of life and life expectancy of dogs undergoing chemotherapy for malignant lymphoma. An owner survey]. Tierarztl Prax Ausg K Kleintiere Heimtiere. 2011;39(4):229–236.
4. Bianchi ML, Drudi D, Treggiari E, et al. Quality of life assessment in cancer patients receiving single-agent versus multidrug chemotherapy protocols. Open Vet J. 2021;11(4):755–763. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2021.v11.i4.28