Although chemotherapy is well tolerated in dogs and cats, with most pets feeling well through treatment, adverse effects can occur.
When treating patients with chemotherapy in your practice or referring to an oncologist, you may get questions from your clients regarding chemotherapy adverse effects (AEs). Most are mild to moderate, with rare patients (<5%) experiencing serious AEs.
The most common AE is gastrointestinal (GI) upset including loss of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea. For injectable chemotherapy, this tends to occur 2 to 5 days after treatment. Most patients can be treated on an outpatient basis with antinausea medications such as maropitant citrate (Cerenia) or ondansetron. Metoclopramide can be used as well and is of particular benefit for vincristine-induced ileus in dogs. Crofelemer delayed-release tablets (Canalevia) area new drug specifically for chemotherapy-induced diarrhea that modulates hypersecretion of chloride and normalizes fluid influx into the intestinal lumen. Metronidazole, probiotics, and clay supplements also can be used for diarrhea. Hospitalization is recommended for pets experiencing severe GI upset.
This article originally appeared on dvm360.com on June 6, 2024, as part of Thrive Pet Healthcare's Strategic Alliance with dvm360.
About Dr. Valerie Wiles
Dr. Valerie Wiles joined Veterinary Cancer Group of San Fernando Valley, a Thrive Pet Healthcare partner, in 2015. A Southern California native, Dr. Wiles earned both her undergraduate and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees from the University of California Davis. Her passion for oncology ignited during a rotating internship in Sacramento. Dr. Wiles then traveled to the East Coast where she completed an internship and residency in medical oncology at Animal Medical Center in New York City. In 2015, Dr. Wiles achieved board certification in oncology from the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. She has served as the president of the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association's San Fernando Valley Chapter, coordinating monthly educational meetings for local veterinarians. Dr. Wiles is dedicated to ensuring a high quality of life for her patients, reflecting her strong belief in compassionate veterinary care.
