Select Individual Chemotherapies

This chapter offers a practical guide to individual chemotherapy monographs for veterinarians, focusing on commonly used chemotherapies and their most straightforward dosing schemes. It covers carboplatin, CCNU, chlorambucil, and cyclophosphamide, detailing their mechanisms of action, routes of administration, dosages, monitoring protocols, and adverse reactions. Carboplatin, administered intravenously, is noted for its bone marrow suppression and renal toxicity, while CCNU, an oral medication, is associated with severe neutropenia and potential hepatotoxicity. Chlorambucil and cyclophosphamide, both available in oral and injectable forms, are highlighted for their alkylating effects on DNA and their respective side effects, including myelosuppression and gastrointestinal issues. The chapter also references key studies and resources for further information on chemotherapy management, providing a comprehensive overview for clinical applications. Additionally, it discusses the administration, storage, monitoring, excretion, and adverse reactions of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and L-asparaginase in dogs and cats. For cyclophosphamide, metronomic dosing protocols are outlined for dogs and cats, with specific attention to the management of sterile hemorrhagic cystitis and other adverse effects. Doxorubicin's mechanism of action, dosage, and administration protocols are detailed, along with precautions for managing cardiac toxicity and extravasation.