Managing Chemotherapy Toxicity

The goal of treating a pet with chemotherapy is to prolong a good quality of life while decreasing tumor related symptoms. This is challenging for the veterinarian because of the wide range of adverse effects attributed to chemotherapy drugs. Some of these adverse effects can be prevented or at least minimized by interventions at the time of chemotherapy administration. Practicing these preventive measures will help to make chemotherapy safe, effective and successful. In other cases, despite our best efforts to prevent toxicity, it occurs. In these cases, it is important to respond appropriately and quickly to minimize the risk to the patient and the cost to the owner. Minimizing the risk requires well trained front desk and technical staffs, and knowledge of the expected effect of the drugs to recognize and respond to changes in a chemotherapy patient’s clinical status. […]