These results suggest that while phagocytic (engulfing) function of white blood cells is not affected by chemotherapy in dogs with lymphoma, dogs with lymphoma have decreased ability to then kill invaders using respiratory burst, prior to and during chemotherapy treatment. This underlines the importance of understanding changes in immune system function prior to treatment with immunosuppressive therapy. Dogs with a blunted ability to effectively kill foreign invaders may be at higher risk of infection following treatment, which can then lead to increased morbidity and mortality in dogs diagnosed with lymphoma. Further studies with increased numbers of dogs, and increased time points, are indicated to investigate this phenomena further, as a blunted ability to kill invaders may lead to an increased risk of infection in dogs treated with immunosuppressive chemotherapy. Further sample collection and application for further funding is ongoing.