National Canine Lymphoma Awareness Day

 

Awareness Is the First Step Toward Healing

November is National Canine Cancer Awareness Month, and today – November 7th – marks National Canine Lymphoma Awareness Day.

This month is about more than ribbons and reminders. It’s about education, early detection, and empowerment to make the best choices for both ourselves and our pets.
Because when we understand why disease happens, we can start changing how we support the body’s ability to heal.

Cancer isn’t just one disease – it’s a process of imbalance and a culmination of a multitude of things. It begins quietly, often with chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, or immune confusion. But here’s the good news: by recognizing early signs and nurturing the body’s natural systems, we can give our dogs a stronger defense than ever before.

 

What Is Canine Lymphoma?

Lymphoma is one of the most common cancers in dogs, representing from 15–24% of all new canine cancer diagnoses (1)  (2)  (3). It affects the lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that helps protect the body from infection.

Because the lymphatic system runs throughout the body, lymphoma can appear almost anywhere – commonly in the lymph nodes, spleen, liver, bone marrow, or intestines.

You may first notice swollen lymph nodes under the jaw, shoulders, or hind legs, but it can also cause:

• Fatigue or excessive sleeping
• Loss of appetite or weight loss
• Digestive upset
• Coughing or breathing changes
• Increased thirst or urination

If you notice something “off,” please trust that instinct – your intuition is often your dog’s first line of defense.

“Don’t wait for a crisis to pay attention to your dog’s body.
The sooner we look, the sooner we can act – and action brings hope.”
– Donna Middleton, ACCN

 

Lessons from Lucy’s Healing Journey Earlier this month, I shared the story of Lucy, (you can read the blog post HERE) a 9-year-old Bulldog whose soft-tissue tumor began shrinking before her surgery date – something her veterinary team called “a confusing lesion.” Lucy’s recovery wasn’t magic. It was the power of synergy – combining conventional veterinary care with a foundation of whole-food nutrition, detoxification, and targeted immune support.

 

Her regimen included:

• A balanced raw diet (her foundation long before diagnosis)
• Omega-3 Seal Oil, Green Lipped Mussel, and probiotics to reduce inflammation
• Adored Beast’s Vital Defense and Super Immune Mushroom Blend to help her immune system recognize abnormal cells
• Liver Tonic and Rebalancer to gently support detoxification

By the time surgery came, the tumor had regressed dramatically. Her post surgery pathology showed clean margins and low cellular activity.

Lucy’s case illustrates something profound:
when the immune system is balanced, when detox pathways are open, and when cells are fueled with real nutrients, the body often remembers how to heal itself.

“Healing isn’t about overpowering disease.
It’s about reminding the body what balance feels like.”
– Donna Middleton, ACCN

Spotlight Product: Vital Defense – Cellular Protection from the Inside Out

This month, as we honor National Canine Cancer Awareness Month, we’re shining a special light on one of my favorite products from Adored Beast Apothecary – Vital Defense.

This remarkable formulation played a key role in Lucy’s healing journey, helping her immune system recognize and respond to abnormal cells while supporting her body’s ability to recover naturally.

Why Vital Defense Matters

At its core, Vital Defense is designed to do what every body – human or canine – needs most during times of stress or disease:
protect its cells, reduce oxidative damage, and restore balance.

It’s a revolutionary blend that:

• Protects cells and supports normal cellular growth & repair
• Provides potent antioxidants to defend against damage caused by free radicals
• Supports overall immune resilience, helping the body maintain proper cellular communication and energy

Free radicals – unstable molecules that cause oxidative stress – are directly linked to cellular damage, premature aging, and cancer development.
By neutralizing those free radicals, Vital Defense helps create an internal environment where cells can function optimally and the immune system can respond intelligently.

Julie Anne Lee, DCH RCSHom from Adored Beast,  just did a live about this topic. Watch the replay here.

Donna Middleton, ACCN of Head to Tail Canine Nutrition also has an amazing story you can learn about here

“Vital Defense doesn’t fight the body – it teaches it how to protect itself.”
– Donna Middleton, ACCN

 

The Science of Immune Modulation

In recent years, studies have begun validating what we’ve seen in clinical practice for decades.

Research from Dalhousie University and other veterinary partners has explored how bioactive compounds from mushrooms and herbs may help regulate immune function and alter the tumor environment.

Medicinal mushrooms like reishi, chaga, and turkey tail contain beta-glucans – compounds that activate macrophages and NK cells (natural killer cells). These “immune sentinels” recognize and neutralize unhealthy or damaged cells, restoring proper immune surveillance.

This isn’t about “boosting” the immune system – it’s about teaching it to communicate clearly. That’s why we call it immune modulation – bringing the body back to equilibrium.

“The immune system isn’t a switch to flip on or off – it’s a symphony that needs balance, not volume.”
– Donna Middleton, ACCN

 

Cancer Isn’t Just Lymphoma – Awareness Saves Lives

While lymphoma is one of the most common cancers we see, it’s not the only one to watch for.
Here are a few others I discuss often with clients:

• Mast Cell Tumors – Skin lumps that may grow, shrink, or change rapidly.
• Osteosarcoma – Bone cancer, often presenting as sudden lameness or swelling in limbs.
• Hemangiosarcoma – A cancer of blood vessels that often affects the spleen or heart.
• Melanoma – Often seen in the mouth or skin, especially in darker-pigmented areas.

The most powerful thing you can do for your dog is regular screening and body awareness.

Schedule annual checkups, and don’t wait if something changes – a new lump, low energy, appetite loss, or digestive upset are all reasons to check in with your vet.

“Preventative care is not about paranoia – it’s about partnership.”
– Donna Middleton, ACCN

 

Nutrition: The Foundation of Prevention

Nutrition won’t cure cancer, but it can profoundly influence how the body manages disease and responds to treatment.

A diet built on fresh, unprocessed, species-appropriate food:

• Lowers inflammation
• Supports detoxification
• Strengthens immune response
• Reduces oxidative stress (cellular aging and DNA damage)

Additions like Omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidant-rich vegetables, marine phytoplankton, and functional mushrooms provide the nutrients cells need to stay resilient.

“Feed the cells, and they remember how to function.”
– Donna Middleton, ACCN

 

Caring for Yourself While You Care for Them

Cancer doesn’t just affect our dogs – it affects the people who love them.
The stress of navigating treatments, lifestyle changes, and uncertainty can take its toll.

Remember to care for yourself, too.
Lean on your community, ask for support, and work with professionals who empower you to make informed choices – not fear-based ones.

When you partner with a veterinarian and a certified canine nutritionist, you build a team that sees the whole picture – your dog’s physical, emotional, and nutritional well-being.

“Nutrition doesn’t replace medicine – it empowers it.”
– Donna Middleton, ACCN

 

 Moving Forward with Knowledge and Compassion

Lucy’s story – and countless others like hers – show us that awareness is not just a month on the calendar.

It’s a mindset that can change outcomes.

Early detection. Balanced nutrition. Compassionate care.
These are not separate ideas – they are the building blocks of lifelong wellness.

“Hope isn’t naive – it’s biological.
The body is wired for healing if we give it the right tools.”
– Donna Middleton, ACCN

Don't Know Where To Start?

Donna Middleton ACCN, the founder and owner of Head to Tail Canine Nutrition built her business on a foundation of love and education. She helps show her clients in a gentle yet informative way how to care for their pets. If you're not sure where to start or if you want to work with a professional Canine Nutritionist on your current regime, BOOK A CONSULT with her today. 

 References

1. American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA): “Lymphoma accounts for approximately 20% of all canine cancers.” aaha.org – Canine Cancer Resources
2. Colorado State University Animal Cancer Center: “Lymphoma represents up to 24% of all new canine cancers.” csuanimalcancercenter.org
3. National Canine Cancer Foundation: “Lymphoma is one of the most common cancers seen in dogs, comprising approximately 15–20% of new diagnoses.” wearethecure.org