Doxorubicin is used mainly for people as a form of chemotherapy for an array of cancers including carcinomas, soft tissue sarcomas and hematological malignancies. It is a dangerous drug and has not been approved by the FDA for use on animals. The side effects for human patients can include heart damage and a lowered white cell count; if it can have this affect on its human patients what can it do to a dog?
The side effects for human patients of Doxorubicin are nausea, vomiting and possible complete alopecia or hair loss. For dogs this drug is used for the treatment of certain cancers such as thyroid carcinoma, lymphoma, mammary gland carcinomas and other sarcomas. Veterinarians have used this treatment successfully in dogs and cats but it is always good to remember that the side effects of the drug can be vast and varied and not all dogs will experience the side effects listed or they could have effects that have not been seen in other animals so are not yet documented. Anything you consider not “normal” for your pet should be reported to your veterinarian immediately.
Doxorubicin, most often will be administered with an IV while your pet is under the veterinarians care in their office. Doxorubicin is usually administered once per month or every third week it will depend on the form of cancer. While the side effects for dogs taking Doxorubicin are similar to what human patients would experience, animals can also have a fever, loss of appetite and diarrhea.
Just as the human patients taking Doxorubicin, your pet can experience the more severe side effects such as white blood cell count dropping, and this is life threatening for your pet. Blood work will often be done by the veterinarian before each treatment as the low white cell count makes infection much more likely so the veterinarian will monitor this closely will using Doxorubicin.
Doxorubicin is considered toxic to DNA and the smallest leak from the IV can cause harm to the surrounding tissues. Your veterinarian will have to closely monitor your dog’s kidneys and heart while using the Doxorubicin to insure the drug is doing what it is intended to do and not causing any further harm to your pet.
“Doxorubicin” Drugs.com
The Toxicity of Dog Chemo Drug Doxorubicin” DogCancerBlog
“Low White Cell Count in Dogs” PetMD