Bone Cancer in Dogs
Chemotherapy
Bone Cancer in Dogs
Chemotherapy
Cisplatin
Please discuss all information with your vet.
Cisplatin is another chemotherapy that has been used in the treatment of osteosarcoma.
Administration of cisplatin requires a generous administration of intravenous fluids. Most dogs will receive intravenous fluids for approximately 6 hours after the administration of the drug itself. In addition, your pet will receive medications to combat nausea, and should go home with medications for nausea as well.
In some cases, your pet will be hospitalized overnight. This facilitates the administration of intravenous fluids and allows for your dog to urinate in a controlled environment. Otherwise, your dog should be at the vet’s office for at least 6 hours. It is extremely important that large quantities of fluid be given to avoid kidney damage by the drug. Treatments are usually given three weeks apart.
Prior to the first administration of cisplatin, a baseline urine test for specific gravity should be done. If the specific gravity is too low, the cisplatin should not be administered. A complete blood count for red cells, white cells and platelets and a kidney panel should also be done. On the morning of the next chemotherapy, do not feed your pet and bring a morning urine sample for testing of specific gravity.
Potential Side Effects
Kidney Damage
The exact cause of this problem is not completely known. We do know, however, that we can usually minimize kidney damage in dogs by flushing the animal’s kidneys with intravenous fluids before and after administering cisplatin. This is the reason for hospitalizing the patients and administering fluids as discussed above. Monitoring kidney function is accomplished by performing blood and urine tests.
These tests should be performed prior to each cisplatin therapy.
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.
Low Blood Cell Counts
Fortunately, this is less of a problem with cisplatin compared to many other anticancer drugs.
A complete blood cell count (CBC) should be run prior to each drug administration. The dose of cisplatin may be lowered or administration delayed if the CBC is abnormal.
Increased Amount and Frequency of Urination
This generally lasts for 24 hours but can occasionally last for several days following therapy. This is due to the large quantity of fluid given before, during and after cisplatin administration.
If increased thirst and urination persists for 48 hours or more contact your veterinarian.
Deafness
This is a problem that has been seen in human patients but is difficult to evaluate in dogs.
Hair Loss
This is NOT a common problem following cisplatin administration, although hair that has been clipped will be slower to regrow than normal.
