Leukemia

Condition Overview

Leukemia is a cancer involving the blood elements in the bone marrow, including the lymphocytes, monocytes, platelets, eosinophils, basophils, and erythrocytes. All of these cells can give rise to cell-specific leukemias.

Symptoms

Leukemia generally occurs in middle-aged dogs. Signs are non-specific and include fever, loss of appetite, weight loss, and sometimes anemia with pale mucous membranes.

All symptoms +

Causes

Information needed.

Diagnosis

Usually the disease is discovered when blood tests are drawn to diagnose these symptoms. Leukemic cells may or may not be found circulating in the blood. A bone marrow biopsy confirms the diagnosis.

Treatment

Leukemia is treated with anti-cancer drugs. Chemotherapy does not cure leukemia, but may put the disease into remission for several months or longer. Dogs with chronic leukemia have a better prognosis than those with acute leukemia.

Prevention

There is no known prevention for this condition.

Support

Please contact your veterinarian with questions regarding this condition.