Other Side Effects

Reduction in the Number of White Blood Cells (Neutropenia)

There are various types of cells in the blood. The decrease in the number of infection-fighting white blood cells is known as neutropenia. Chemotherapy can affect the bone marrow’s ability to produce cells. As a result, neutropenia may occur 10-14 days after chemotherapy. Neutropenia alone is not a danger to your pet.

However, your pet’s ability to fight off infection is impaired by neutropenia. Therefore, prior to each treatment, your pet will get a blood test called a complete blood count (CBC). Should your pet have a significant reduction in the number of white blood cells, your veterinarian may wish to perform periodic blood tests, and/or prescribe antibiotics to protect your pet from infection and delay the next dose of chemotherapy until the count comes back to normal.

Stomach or Intestinal (Gastrointestinal) Discomfort

Dogs can experience some form of stomach or intestinal discomfort within a week after a chemotherapy treatment. Your veterinarian 

will prescribe medication to try to prevent or treat the discomfort. Ask your vet about giving the medication even if there are no overt signs of discomfort. Below are listed some suggestions to discuss with your doctor.

Upset Stomach (Nausea)

• If your pet begins to show any signs of upset stomach (drooling, smacking lips) or loss of appetite, administer the medicine your doctor prescribed for nausea.
• Offer ice cubes every few hours.
• After 12 hours, feed your pet small, frequent meals instead of one large meal.
• Call your veterinarian if you have concerns, or if the condition persists for more than 24 hours.

Vomiting

• Do not give your pet any food or water for 12 hours.
• After 12 hours, offer your pet ice cubes, then water, then small bland meals.
• Call your veterinarian if you have concerns, or if the condition persists for more than 24 hours.

Loss of Appetite

• If your pet begins to show any signs of upset stomach or loss of appetite, administer the medicine your doctor prescribed for nausea.
• Offer your pet four small meals a day.
• Add warm broth, animal fats, and favorite foods to increase flavor and appeal.

Diarrhea

• If your pet begins to show signs of diarrhea, administer the medicine your doctor prescribed for diarrhea.
• Keep water available at all times.
• If your pet is also not eating, offer chicken or beef broth.
• Call your veterinarian if you have concerns, or if the condition persists for more than 24 hours.

Tissue Damage

If adriamycin is accidentally given outside the vein, severe tissue reactions can result, leading to tissue destruction. Therefore, adriamycin is handled with the utmost care, and should only be administered by highly trained professionals. Secure intravenous access is paramount. If irritation of the injection site develops in the form of pain, swelling or redness, apply ice packs for 15 minutes every three hours. Call your veterinarian as soon as possible, and certainly if the condition persists for more than 24 hours.

Hair Loss

Pets rarely lose their hair and, if they do, they are not bothered by it as much as people are. In most pets, hair does not grow continually though out their lives like it does in people. Therefore, hair loss in pets is rare. Exceptions are certain breeds of dogs, such as poodles, old English sheepdogs and other breeds whose hair grows continually. In general, if your pet needs to visit a groomer periodically to be clipped, then your pet may experience some degree of hair loss due to chemotherapy. Please ask your pet’s doctor about the possibility of hair loss in your pet.

Allergic Reactions

Allergic reaction to chemotherapeutic agents is rare, and not a problem you will have to treat at home. Should your pet have an allergic reaction to adriamycin, it would develop upon administration, and your veterinarian and the hospital staff are trained to treat patients for allergic reaction.

Heart Damage

Adriamycin, in some rare cases, can irreversibly damage the heart muscle. The dose of adriamycin prescribed for your pet is below the dose that usually causes heart disease. Less than 10 percent of patients develop heart disease due to adriamycin. Your veterinarian will discontinue the adriamycin if heart disease is detected at any time.

Ask your oncologist what can be done to minimize the risk of heart toxicity.