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Common Cancer Mistake: Assuming Chemotherapy Is Not an Option

Fear: Chemotherapy Has Terrible Side Effects

We do not use the same high doses in dogs that are used in humans, and so 80% of animals that receive chemotherapy in my practice have no side effects. 15-20% of pets have mild side effects. About 5% of chemo patients have severe side effects that require hospitalization for 24-48 hours. Most patients are feeling better with IV fluids, injectable nausea meds and antibiotics. The next time we give that chemo drug, we use dose reductions and meds to prevent further side effects, and find that most patients have no issues – even with the same chemo drug that landed them in ICU the last time.

It is a myth that the pet will feel crappy all the time, that they suffer during treatment, and they will be hospitalized all the time. In general, pets on chemo feel good not just after chemo, but during the protocol.

Fear: Once You Start Chemo You Shouldn’t Stop

In human medicine, we expect patients to “soldier on” and tolerate chemo side effects. But that’s not the expectation in pet medicine.

Giving chemo to your pet is not a contract. If you do not like how your pet is handling it, you can stop. I never force people to continue, but I do encourage them to try a dose or two.

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