New data indicates almost half of dogs diagnosed with lymphoma are being euthanised without further treatment.
The study, published in the Journal of Small Animal Practice, lifts the lid on how UK first opinion practices deal with dogs diagnosed with lymphoma – the most common malignant neoplasm of the haemopoietic system in dogs and the most frequently medically managed neoplasia.
Almost half (41%) of patients listed in the study were euthanised after diagnosis.
‘Shocking’
Researchers consulted case records from the VetCompass programme, looking for reports of newly diagnosed lymphoma cases in UK primary care practices during 2013, where diagnosis was based on clinical records with or without laboratory confirmation.
The number of diagnosed dogs referred to UK specialists was low, as was the number undergoing immunophenotyping, despite its potential prognostic importance – something which surprised researchers.
This includes co-author Imogen Schofield – a PhD student within the RVC’s veterinary epidemiology, economics and public health group, working within the VetCompass team – who said she believes the findings could be a “wake-up call” to vets.
Ms Schofield said: “I think vets would find it quite shocking that number of dogs were euthanised following a [lymphoma] diagnosis… there are a number of good treatment options out there, [but] it seems a number of dogs aren’t getting them.”
- Read the full story in the 5 August issue of Veterinary Times.
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