Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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CA Wrigley is scheduled to start chemo tomorrow Jan 8.
Her oncologist is recommending two drugs for her treatment Carboplatin and Doxorubicin. In one of my recent readings it states that the worst cases of extravasation result form a doxorubicin leak.
This is listed as one of the worst side effects of that particular drug.
Has anyone who has used the doxorubicin had that experience?
Has anyone had the protocol of using both Carboplatin and Doxorubicin?
Should I ask to just stick with the Carboplatin?
Any advice is much appreciated.
Thanks
Seanne and Wrigley
Seanne and Angel Wrigley
wrigley said:
Her oncologist is recommending two drugs for her treatment Carboplatin and Doxorubicin. In one of my recent readings it states that the worst cases of extravasation result form a doxorubicin leak.
Seanne, what does "extravasation" mean? I didn't do this type of chemo, so I don't know this term. Thanks for educating us!
Good luck tomorrow, we'll be thinking of you. Where is your oncologist?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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In a book I picked up - Help your dog fight cancer- It says
"chemotherapy has the potential to cause a very serious complication called extravasation, also called a chemo leak or chemo spill.... Extravasation ( outside the vain) occurs when a drop of chemo agent escapes the vein or tubing and contacts the body tissue. Damage may not be visable right away, or for as long as 10 days. Teh leaked agent proceeds on a path of destruction that is not easily stopped. The worst cases of extravasation result from a doxorubicin ( Adriamycin) leak. For weeks, months, this agent continues to destroy skin, tendon and ligament. Eventually the bone is exposed..."
SO I am a bit concerned about this course of treatment if there are risks as great as this with this drug.
My oncologist Dr. Gabriella Sfiligoi is in Sacramento CA at the VCA Sacramento Veterinary Referral Center- only about 10 minutes from me- She is recommended by her surgeon.
I considered UC Davis, but that is a bit further and I was concerned about getting there as frequently as I may need to with chemo.
Seanne and Angel Wrigley
It is true that Adriamycin (doxorubricin) is the worst offender if it gets out of the vein (extravasation). If even a little gets out of the vein and gets into the subcutaneous tissues the leg will swell, tissue will slough (fall off) and in extreme cases the leg will need to be amputated or the dog put down. This drug can also be hard on the heart so you might need to have an echo of the heart muscle done prior to its use.
Now this sounds scary but oncologists use this drug all of the time. Whenever I give this drug I make sure that the catheter goes in on the first try, and we dilute the drug in saline and give it over 30 minutes with a technician sitting with the dog the entire time so that the IV can not be chewed or the catheter pulled out.
I used carboplatin alone with Tazzie because she has crappy veins and her heart is slightly enlarged. All oncologists have their favorite protocol but current research shows no difference in survival times if carbolpatin is used alone or if combined with Adriamycin. Some dogs can't handle the combo and can get quite sick.
Talk to your vet or oncologist if you still have concerns!
Pam and Tazzie
Pam -
Thanks so much for your words of wisdom. You put my mind at ease. I will definitely bring my concerns up with the oncologist and make sure if we do go with both drugs that a tech is with Wrigley the entire time.
Thanks again for your expertise.
Seanne
Seanne and Angel Wrigley
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