Vizsla Lymphoma: Should You Be Concerned?

The Vizsla, also known as the Hungarian Shorthaired Pointer, is a dog that has been characterized over the years by its hunting skills. They are athletic and energetic animals that need to exercise (jog, run, play, etc.) every day. They need a lot of physical activity to feel good and stay healthy. 

The Vizslas have a lean, muscular body that allows them to carry out all the physical exercises mentioned above without any problem. It should be noted that they are very intelligent and have many skills to carry out other types of activities. 

These dogs are very loving and friendly to members of their human family, other animals, and even strangers. They have a protective instinct towards their loved ones so they will always be willing to protect you. In addition, Vizslas are pets that need the love and attention of their owners, so it is vital that you give them all the affection possible. 

This type of dog is an excellent companion and is 100% faithful to its owner. Therefore, it is important that we properly treat our dogs. We must provide our Vizsla with a diet and exercise routine so that it is happy all the time. The most important thing is that our canine is healthy, which is why we must take the necessary measures to provide good care. 

The Health of Our Vizsla 

As owners of a Vizsla, we have to love and respect it all the time. That includes giving it proper care because this breed, like the others, tends to suffer from certain diseases if they do not receive care. 

One of the most common problems that our Vizsla may face is obesity. It is a disorder that affects both humans and dogs. Canines are prone to having this problem due to poor diet and little physical exercise provided by their owners. Obesity can cause joint inflammation, certain diseases, back pain, and more in our Vizslas. That can be fatal for this type of dog since they are characterized by being animals with a high level of physical activity. 

Another common problem suffered by these dogs is dental disease. As we mentioned earlier, this is also due to the irresponsibility of the dog’s owner. Poor diet and inadequate dental care are the causes of dental disease. The life expectancy of our Vizsla could be shortened due to these situations. 

Vizslas can also suffer from other diseases or conditions such as epilepsy, infection, eye problems, parasites, joint and bone problems, scabies, skin conditions, allergies, cancer, and more. In fact, cancer is one of the leading causes of death for dogs, and one of the most common types of them is lymphoma. 

Lymphoma is a type of cancer considered a systematic disease that affects organs of the lymphatic system due to the uncontrolled increase in malignant cells in the lymphoid system. There are many types of canine lymphoma cancer, but the four most common are the following: 

Multicentric Lymphoma 

It is the most common type of lymphoma cancer since it occurs 80% of the time when a dog suffers from this disease. Multicenter lymphoma mainly affects the lymph nodes. Some of the symptoms of this type of lymphoma are inflammation, fever, lethargy, dehydration, weakness, etc. 

Alimentary Lymphoma 

It mostly affects the intestines. When a Vizsla suffers from lymphoma, there is approximately a 10% probability that it is this type of cancer. The most common symptoms of alimentary lymphoma are diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, anorexia, and abdominal pain. 

Extranodal Lymphoma 

It is a particular type of lymphoma that affects various organs. Some of them are the eyes, the central nervous system, the kidneys, and the skin. As we have previously said, this lymphoma can affect several organs so the symptoms will depend on each one: 

• Lymphoma in the kidneys can cause breathing problems. 
• Lymphoma in the eyes can cause blindness. 
• Lymphoma in the lungs can lead to kidney failure. 
• Lymphoma on the skin (cutaneous lymphoma) can produce squamous lesions or nodules. 
• Lymphoma in the central nervous system can cause seizures. 
• Lymphoma in the bones can cause fractures and pain. 

Mediastinal Lymphoma 

This type of lymphoma is the rarest and occurs when the thymus and lymph nodes are enlarged. This situation is caused by the appearance of malignant T lymphocytes. The most common symptoms of this type of lymphoma are swelling of the hind legs and face, respiratory problems, increased thirst, etc. 

Castration Facts 

According to several interesting veterinary studies, neutered dogs tend to suffer more significant health problems. 

This study was carried out through an analysis of more than 2,500 Vizslas. Tests found that a certain portion of the neutered Vizsla dogs increased their chances of developing lymphoma as well as other cancers. That is why dog ​​owners must know in depth the real effects of castration on dogs. 

Treatments 

The first thing you should know is that the diagnosis of lymphoma in dogs is usually carried out through immunohistochemical techniques applied to samples obtained during a biopsy. It should be noted that other types of complementary tests are also taken into account to verify 100%. 

The treatment for this type of disease is chemotherapy which is usually very effective. However, it is crucial to consider that its cost is high and that, besides, this treatment can generate side effects in our Vizslas. Other alternatives include surgery or radiotherapy in more severe cases. The veterinary specialist will determine the most appropriate treatment depending on the type of cancer the dog is suffering. 

We have spoken before that chemotherapy could cause side effects in our dogs. Some of them are nausea, diarrhea, poor appetite, allergic reactions, hemorrhagic cystitis, and hair loss (uncommon). 

Conclusion 

All Vizslas owners must love their dogs as they are wonderful pets. Our priority should be to take care of them in the best way every day, providing them with a proper diet and exercise routine. Besides, one of the most important things that we must do as owners of these incredible dogs is to take them frequently to the vet to be checked.