FAQs
It has been shown that up to millions of tumor cells are released into circulation but only a very small number are able to form metastatic lesion. In order for cancer cells to spread effectively, they must enter into circulation, evade the body’s defense mechanisms, and invade and grow in the new location. This process is very inefficient overall.
Chemotherapy may be the only treatment, or it may be given in combination with other modalities. The type of cancer your pet has will determine the recommendations for treatment. Some cancers also benefit from surgery, radiation, and/or immunotherapy. In some cases, chemotherapy may be used to shrink the size of a tumor to increase your pet’s comfort while living with the disease.
For more information on what you need to know about Chemotherapy, check out our handouts page.
Chemotherapy drugs are often used in combination to enhance the efficacy of the drugs and allow them to be used at lower dosages. Some tumors can be resistant to a certain drug. Using multiple drugs can help combat this problem by combining different ways of killing the cancer. The selection of drugs used will depend on what the protocol is for your pet’s cancer, as well as your pet’s individual health status.
For more information on what you need to know about Chemotherapy, check out our handouts page.
- Compared to people, pets experience fewer and less severe side effects from chemotherapy. Approximately 80% of pets have no side effects, and only 5% have serious side effects. All rapidly dividing cells in the body are sensitive to chemotherapy, and while cancer cells fall into that category, so do cells that are found in the intestinal tract, bone marrow, and hair follicles. Chemotherapy may result in side effects seen 2 to 3 days after treatment and include gastrointestinal upset, immune suppression, and hair loss in some pets.
- Gastrointestinal effects may include decreased appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea. Nausea can be difficult to identify at home, especially if you have more than one pet, or your pet grazes on its food throughout the day. Nausea is often manifested by poor appetite, decreased appetite, or changes in appetite. Your pet may be pickier and only want people food or treats. They may drool when you feed them, approach the food but do not eat, or require hand feeding. These are signs of nausea and it is likely time to start a nausea medication and/or appetite stimulant. Side effects are usually seen 2 to 3 days after treatment. Most of the time these side effects are mild and of short duration. However, severe diarrhea and/or vomiting can lead to weight loss and dehydration. Anti-nausea, appetite stimulants, probiotics and/or anti-diarrhea medication may be given to manage gastrointestinal side effects.
- Immunosuppression results when the bone marrow is no longer able to make an adequate number of white blood cells to fight infections (this is called neutropenia.) A low white blood cell count leads to an increased susceptibility to infection. Signs to watch for include fever, lethargy, poor appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea. If your pet is exhibiting these signs or feels warm to the touch, a rectal temperature should be taken. If the temperature is >102.5-103, your pet should be evaluated by your veterinarian or at an emergency hospital. This side effect usually occurs 5-7 days after treatment with chemotherapy. In some cases, antibiotics may be prescribed as a preventive measure. I
- Some pets, just like some people, may lose their hair during chemotherapy treatment. While this is less common in pets, it can occur in breeds of dogs with continuously growing hair coats (ex: poodles, shih tzus). Whiskers are most affected in cats, and shaved areas regrow more slowly. Hair loss may appear just in certain spots, as general thinning, or in rare cases the entire coat may fall out. Hair generally begins to grow back within a few weeks after treatment ends but the color may change.
- Extravasation is when a chemotherapy drug leaks outside of the vein during administration. Some drugs can cause irritation to the surrounding tissues if this occurs. If there are concerns that an irritating drug may have leaked out of the vein, your veterinarian will discuss it with you. You would be instructed to monitor for redness, swelling, or licking at the injection site. If there are concerns, your pet should be re-evaluated.
- Certain drugs can have specific toxicity to certain organs, which will be discussed if those drugs are required for your pet. Examples include doxorubicin which is cardiotoxic and lomustine which can affect liver function. While severe side effects are rare, any patient can have an unexpected reaction to a drug.
Make sure you schedule and keep all appointments
- Monitor your pet closely for signs of discomfort and report any changes
- Provide your pet with plenty of trips outside to go to the bathroom
- Pay close attention to your pet’s diet. If your pet’s appetite declines it may be necessary to entice your pet by adding broth, bland meats, and by warming the meal. Offer plenty of fresh water and monitor how much your pet is drinking.
Conventional dosing of chemotherapy is intended to kill rapidly cells and cancer cells tend to divide much more quickly than normal tissue. It typically involves a treatment every few weeks with an injection or pill. Metronomic chemotherapy involves the long-term administration of a low dose oral chemotherapy drug every 1-2 days with a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Metronomic chemotherapy does not directly kill tumor cells. Read More
The initial consultation is $270 which includes a 15 minute follow up video visit or phone call. Recheck/follow up appointments cost $85. Dr. Binstock will hold weekly “office hours” for primary care veterinarians to discuss cases at no cost.
FAQs
It has been shown that up to millions of tumor cells are released into circulation but only a very small number are able to form metastatic lesion. In order for cancer cells to spread effectively, they must enter into circulation, evade the body’s defense mechanisms, and invade and grow in the new location. This process is very inefficient overall.
Chemotherapy may be the only treatment, or it may be given in combination with other modalities. The type of cancer your pet has will determine the recommendations for treatment. Some cancers also benefit from surgery, radiation, and/or immunotherapy. In some cases, chemotherapy may be used to shrink the size of a tumor to increase your pet’s comfort while living with the disease.
For more information on what you need to know about Chemotherapy, check out our handouts page.
Chemotherapy drugs are often used in combination to enhance the efficacy of the drugs and allow them to be used at lower dosages. Some tumors can be resistant to a certain drug. Using multiple drugs can help combat this problem by combining different ways of killing the cancer. The selection of drugs used will depend on what the protocol is for your pet’s cancer, as well as your pet’s individual health status.
For more information on what you need to know about Chemotherapy, check out our handouts page.
- Compared to people, pets experience fewer and less severe side effects from chemotherapy. Approximately 80% of pets have no side effects, and only 5% have serious side effects. All rapidly dividing cells in the body are sensitive to chemotherapy, and while cancer cells fall into that category, so do cells that are found in the intestinal tract, bone marrow, and hair follicles. Chemotherapy may result in side effects seen 2 to 3 days after treatment and include gastrointestinal upset, immune suppression, and hair loss in some pets.
- Gastrointestinal effects may include decreased appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea. Nausea can be difficult to identify at home, especially if you have more than one pet, or your pet grazes on its food throughout the day. Nausea is often manifested by poor appetite, decreased appetite, or changes in appetite. Your pet may be pickier and only want people food or treats. They may drool when you feed them, approach the food but do not eat, or require hand feeding. These are signs of nausea and it is likely time to start a nausea medication and/or appetite stimulant. Side effects are usually seen 2 to 3 days after treatment. Most of the time these side effects are mild and of short duration. However, severe diarrhea and/or vomiting can lead to weight loss and dehydration. Anti-nausea, appetite stimulants, probiotics and/or anti-diarrhea medication may be given to manage gastrointestinal side effects.
- Immunosuppression results when the bone marrow is no longer able to make an adequate number of white blood cells to fight infections (this is called neutropenia.) A low white blood cell count leads to an increased susceptibility to infection. Signs to watch for include fever, lethargy, poor appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea. If your pet is exhibiting these signs or feels warm to the touch, a rectal temperature should be taken. If the temperature is >102.5-103, your pet should be evaluated by your veterinarian or at an emergency hospital. This side effect usually occurs 5-7 days after treatment with chemotherapy. In some cases, antibiotics may be prescribed as a preventive measure. I
- Some pets, just like some people, may lose their hair during chemotherapy treatment. While this is less common in pets, it can occur in breeds of dogs with continuously growing hair coats (ex: poodles, shih tzus). Whiskers are most affected in cats, and shaved areas regrow more slowly. Hair loss may appear just in certain spots, as general thinning, or in rare cases the entire coat may fall out. Hair generally begins to grow back within a few weeks after treatment ends but the color may change.
- Extravasation is when a chemotherapy drug leaks outside of the vein during administration. Some drugs can cause irritation to the surrounding tissues if this occurs. If there are concerns that an irritating drug may have leaked out of the vein, your veterinarian will discuss it with you. You would be instructed to monitor for redness, swelling, or licking at the injection site. If there are concerns, your pet should be re-evaluated.
- Certain drugs can have specific toxicity to certain organs, which will be discussed if those drugs are required for your pet. Examples include doxorubicin which is cardiotoxic and lomustine which can affect liver function. While severe side effects are rare, any patient can have an unexpected reaction to a drug.
At each chemotherapy visit, your pet will have a physical examination done by a veterinarian and lab work. Additional testing will be performed as is necessary. Once the tests are reviewed and your pet is cleared for treatment, administration of the drug will begin. Chemotherapy appointments can be done on an outpatient or drop-of basis at most hospitals.
Make sure you schedule and keep all appointments
- Monitor your pet closely for signs of discomfort and report any changes
- Provide your pet with plenty of trips outside to go to the bathroom
- Pay close attention to your pet’s diet. If your pet’s appetite declines it may be necessary to entice your pet by adding broth, bland meats, and by warming the meal. Offer plenty of fresh water and monitor how much your pet is drinking.
Conventional dosing of chemotherapy is intended to kill rapidly cells and cancer cells tend to divide much more quickly than normal tissue. It typically involves a treatment every few weeks with an injection or pill. Metronomic chemotherapy involves the long-term administration of a low dose oral chemotherapy drug every 1-2 days with a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Metronomic chemotherapy does not directly kill tumor cells. Read More
One of the roles of the immune system is in part to recognize self and “foreign” proteins. In the case of cancer, this implies recognition and elimination of cancer cells by the body. There many challenges in developing effective immunotherapies including tolerance of the cancer cells to the therapy and destruction of the therapy by the immune system. Read More
The initial consultation is $270 which includes a 15 minute follow up video visit or phone call. Recheck/follow up appointments cost $85. Dr. Binstock will hold weekly “office hours” for primary care veterinarians to discuss cases at no cost.
