When a dog is diagnosed with lymphoma, families focus on one thing: more good days.
Lymphoma is the most common cancer in dogs, accounting for about one in five canine cancer diagnoses. It arises when lymphocytes, white blood cells critical to a healthy immune system, multiply uncontrollably. These cancer cells often accumulate in and enlarge lymph nodes, but they can also infiltrate the spleen, liver, and other organs.
Treatment often involves chemotherapy. For many dogs, chemotherapy leads to remission and the potential for meaningful additional time, yet it often causes gastrointestinal upset.
Our goal is clear: Create more good days.
Supporting the Whole Dog During Treatment
Chemotherapy works by targeting and killing rapidly dividing cells. That makes it effective against cancer. But, chemotherapy does not discriminate between cancer cells and healthy cells in the body, so it also affects other fast-renewing cells.
A healthy intestine constantly renews itself, supporting digestion, nutrient absorption, and defense against infection. However, that rapid renewal makes the gut especially vulnerable to chemotherapy, which often damages cells in the intestinal lining. This can lead to loose stools, vomiting, and decreased appetite, all of which affect daily quality of life.
Researchers are now studying the role of the gut microbiome, a community of microscopic organisms essential to digestion, nutrient metabolism, and immune function. When the balance of the gut microbiome shifts, it can affect how a dog feels and increase the risk of infection.
Dr. Maria Jugan, Associate Professor of Small Animal Medicine at Kansas State University, is examining whether targeted support of the gut microbiome can help dogs receiving chemotherapy for lymphoma. With funding from the AKC Canine Health Foundation, her team is evaluating the use of a commercially available probiotic to support digestive health during treatment.
A Simple Idea with Meaningful Potential
Probiotics help maintain digestive health by supporting a healthy balance of gut microorganisms.
Various studies have shown certain probiotics can help patients with chemotherapy- and radiation-associated diarrhea, decrease gastrointestinal inflammation and damage, and improve overall gut health during cancer treatment. Dr. Jugan saw an opportunity to explore whether microbiome support could reduce chemotherapy side effects and help dogs with lymphoma better tolerate their treatment.
If this approach proves effective, veterinarians and families could have a practical, accessible tool to support quality of life throughout cancer treatment.
That means more good days with energy.
More good days with appetite.
More good days at home with the people and dogs they love.
Designed Around Real Life
The study is designed to fit within a dog’s existing chemotherapy schedule. Dogs start either probiotic or placebo on the first day of chemotherapy with their evening meal. Blood and fecal samples are collected at routine chemotherapy and recheck appointments.
At home, families help by giving the treatment with their dog’s food, keeping a simple journal of any digestive issues, taking daily photos of their dog’s stool, and completing short questionnaires. This partnership between veterinary teams and dog owners provides meaningful real-world data while keeping the process manageable.
Dr. Jugan’s work is driven by one central question:
Could we create more good days for dogs with lymphoma?
With donor support, that question becomes research.
And research becomes a possibility.
More Good Days for Jiggy
When Jiggy, lovingly described as “the biggest little love bug,” was diagnosed with lymphoma at Kansas State University’s Veterinary Health Center, his family focused on giving him every chance for more good days.
At just over four and a half years old, Jiggy began chemotherapy and enrolled in Dr. Jugan’s probiotic study. His owners, Amanda and Lawrence Rodriguez, believed that supporting gut health could strengthen his overall well-being during treatment.
After a challenging week early in therapy, Jiggy began to thrive. His chest mass decreased significantly, and his lab values improved. Today, he is in remission.
“He’s done incredibly well,” Amanda shared. “He still plays with his brother, runs around with puppy zoomies, and races up and down the stairs. He’s still our sweet, loving boy.”
For Jiggy’s family, participating in research meant investing in his comfort, resilience, and future.
For dogs everywhere, it means more good days.
