Leukaemia

Leukaemia is a malignant disease of the blood-forming system, in which white blood cells grow uncontrollably in the bone marrow and displace normal blood formation.

Unlike in cats, there are no known viral triggers in dogs. The disease occurs in various forms: acute lymphatic leukaemia (develops within weeks), chronic lymphatic leukaemia (progresses over months) and myeloid variants affecting different blood cell lines.

Which dogs are more likely to develop leukaemia?

Boxers, Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds show a genetic predisposition. The age of onset is usually between 6 and 12 years, with chronic forms affecting older dogs more often.

Environmental factors such as radiation exposure or chemicals are discussed, but the data for dogs is sparse. Male dogs are slightly more likely to develop the disease.

How can I recognise early signs of leukaemia?

Fatigue and loss of appetite are the most common early symptoms. Pale mucous membranes, especially on the gums, indicate anaemia.

Further warning signs:

• Unexplained bruising or nosebleeds
• Enlarged lymph nodes (palpable swellings on the neck, in the armpits or groin)
• Persistent infections that do not heal despite treatment
• Fever with no apparent cause

In acute forms, the condition deteriorates dramatically within a few weeks. Chronic courses develop insidiously over months.

How is leukaemia diagnosed?

The blood count often shows abnormal white blood cells: too many, too few or immature forms. The bone marrow aspiration is decisive: A sample from the pelvic bone or sternum provides information on the exact form of leukaemia.

Additional examinations such as X-rays or ultrasound reveal enlarged organs. The complete diagnosis usually takes 3-5 days.

What treatment options are available?

A cure is not possible. However, chemotherapy can slow down the progression and alleviate symptoms. Standard protocols combine drugs such as doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone over several months.

In parallel, affected dogs often require blood transfusions in cases of severe anaemia and antibiotics against infections. Treatment is usually carried out on an outpatient basis with weekly appointments at the beginning.

Side effects such as nausea or hair loss occur, but are less frequent and milder than in humans.

What is the prognosis for leukaemia?

The survival time depends heavily on the form of leukaemia. Untreated acute lymphatic leukaemia leads to death within 4-6 weeks. With chemotherapy, around 30% of dogs live for more than a year.

Chronic lymphatic leukaemia has a significantly better prognosis: The median survival time is 12-18 months, and some dogs even live for several years with a good quality of life.

The decisive factor for the assessment: How quickly does the dog respond to the first treatment? If they respond within 4 weeks, the chances are better.