Doxorubicin

Why has my veterinarian prescribed this medicine?

Doxorubicin is a chemotherapeutic drug used to treat cancer in animals. These drugs can cause cancer in humans and should be handled with extreme caution. It is important that the treatment course prescribed is correctly given.

Doxorubicin is not available as a veterinary preparation. This is also the case in Australia, however Australian veterinarians can prescribe this agents to dogs and cats with no further paper work. Therefore I suggest you delete the following sentence: Your veterinary surgeon may ask you to sign a consent form so a preparation licensed for humans can be used to treat your pet.

How does this medicine work?

The aim of any chemotherapeutic agent is to destroy tumour cells and spare normal body cells. Doxorubicin impairs DNA synthesis in rapidly dividing cells such as tumour cells.

How do I give this medication?

- Your veterinarian will give this medication to your pet by slow intravenous injection over a 10-minute period in an intravenous drip. Your veterinarian and assistants may wear gloves, gowns and protective goggles and masks when handling and administering the medication.

Potential side effects

- Doxorubicin is very irritant if it is injected outside the vein and leaks into surrounding tissue. Your veterinarian will need to treat the affected area.

- Doxorubicin may cause acute allergic reactions such as facial swelling, hives, vomiting and heart problems. Your veterinarian may give your pet an antihistamine, to block this reaction, before the anti-cancer treatment. 

- Your veterinarian will need to monitor your pet's heart and also to check blood parameters. Tell your veterinarian if you think your pet may be pregnant.

- Your pet may show signs of vomiting and diarrhoea a few days after treatment.

- There may be changes in hair coat and the fur may not regrow on areas that have been shaved even after treatment.

- Chemotherapeutics can increase your pet’s chance of getting an infection, so try to keep your pet away from stray animals or animals which may have an infection.

- Other side effects may occur. If you notice anything unusual, contact your veterinarian.

Possible drug interactions

- Make sure to tell your veterinarian what other medication you are giving to your pet.

- Drugs may interact such that they can cause an increased or decreased effect or side effects. Doxorubicin may be prescribed with other chemotherapeutic drugs.

- Contact your veterinarian if your pet experiences any unusual reactions when different medications are given together.