Chemotherapy in dogs and cats

Chemotherapy in veterinary medicine is a modern method of treating cancer in dogs and cats, aimed not only at controlling tumor growth, but above all at preserving the animal's quality of life.
At the Zoolex veterinary clinic in Kyiv, chemotherapy is carried out according to individually tailored protocols with constant monitoring of the patient's condition.

What is chemotherapy in veterinary medicine?

Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses special drugs that affect tumor cells, inhibiting their division and further growth.
Cancer cells have the ability to divide rapidly and uncontrollably — it is this feature that chemotherapy drugs target.

Unlike approaches in human medicine, veterinary chemotherapy does not aim for aggressive treatment at any cost. The main priority is the comfort, safety, and active life of the animal.

When is chemotherapy necessary for animals?

Chemotherapy in dogs and cats is used:

▫️in systemic oncological diseases (in particular, lymphomas);
▫️after surgical removal of the tumor - to destroy microscopic residual tumor cells;
▫️in cases where the tumor cannot be removed surgically;
▫️in the metastatic process;
▫️to reduce tumor size and alleviate clinical symptoms;
▫️as part of combination therapy (together with surgery, radiation therapy, or immunotherapy).

In what form is chemotherapy administered?

Chemotherapy drugs can be used:

▫️orally — in the form of tablets or capsules;
▫️intravenously — through a venous catheter.

Owners can administer some medications at home strictly according to the doctor's recommendations. Most chemotherapy drugs are administered exclusively in a clinical setting, as they require precise dosing, venous access control, and constant monitoring of the animal's condition.

How is chemotherapy performed at the Zoolex clinic?

Before each administration of the drug, the animal undergoes mandatory screening:

▫️clinical examination by a veterinarian;
▫️complete blood count with white blood cell count;
▫️biochemical blood test (assessment of liver and kidney function);
▫️weighing and individual recalculation of the drug dose (based on body weight or body surface area).

This ensures that the patient's body is ready to safely undergo the next stage of treatment.

If there are no contraindications, an intravenous catheter is inserted and the chemotherapy drug is infused. The duration of the procedure depends on the specific drug and can range from 30 minutes to 5–6 hours.

Chemotherapy is administered in specially designated, well-ventilated rooms with separate cubicles for each patient. Separate rooms are provided for cats and dogs to minimize stress.

In most cases, if the animal is stable, it can go home the same day.

Comfort and safety during the procedure

To reduce stress, you can bring with you:

▫️favorite food;
▫️blanket or mat;
▫️a toy from home.

If necessary, mild sedatives may be used if the animal is very anxious or does not allow the catheter to be inserted safely.

Side effects: what to expect

The most common are:

▫️temporary decrease in white blood cell count;
▫️nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;
▫️decreased appetite.

In most cases, these effects are mild, short-lived, and well controlled with medication. Serious complications are rare, and treatment protocols are always tailored to the individual.

Important information for owners

For up to 72 hours after chemotherapy, a small amount of the drug may be excreted in the animal's urine, feces, or vomit.

Recommended:

▫️use gloves;
▫️wash hands thoroughly after contact;
▫️minimize contact with biological fluids.

Chemotherapy at the Zoolex veterinary clinic

Chemotherapy in veterinary medicine is a controlled, individually tailored method of treating cancer. Its main goal is to maintain your pet's comfort, safety, and quality of life.

Thanks to careful monitoring, the right choice of medication, and close cooperation between the doctor and the owner, many dogs and cats can live longer, more active lives without pain.

Make an appointment with a veterinary oncologist at the Zoolex clinic in Kyiv to receive a personalized treatment plan.

Frequently asked questions about chemotherapy in dogs and cats

• Does chemotherapy hurt the animal? No. The administration of chemotherapy drugs is not painful. The animal may experience slight discomfort associated only with the insertion of a venous catheter. If necessary, sedatives are used to reduce stress.
• Do dogs and cats lose their fur after chemotherapy? Most animals do not lose their fur, or lose only a minimal amount. Complete alopecia, which is common in humans, is rare in veterinary medicine and depends on the breed and type of medication.
• How severe are the side effects? In most cases, side effects are mild and short-lived. The most common are:
  - decreased appetite;
  - nausea or diarrhea;
  - temporary decrease in white blood cell count.

Serious complications are rare, and the animal's condition is constantly monitored by a doctor.

• Can chemotherapy be combined with other treatments? -Yes. Chemotherapy is often part of a combination treatment and can be combined with surgery, radiation therapy, or immunotherapy, depending on the type of tumor and stage of the disease.
• How long does chemotherapy last? -The duration of treatment is individual and depends on the diagnosis, the body's response, and the treatment goals. Treatment may consist of several doses administered at intervals of one to several weeks.
• Is it necessary to leave the animal in the hospital? In most cases, no. If the animal's condition is stable, it can return home on the same day after the procedure. Hospitalization may be necessary only for medical reasons.
• Is chemotherapy safe for pet owners?Yes, provided that the recommendations are followed. For up to 72 hours after the procedure, it is recommended to:
  - wear gloves when cleaning;
  - wash your hands after contact with animal secretions;
  - minimize contact with biological fluids.
• Can chemotherapy drugs be administered at home? Some drugs can be taken orally at home, but only under strict medical supervision. Intravenous drugs are administered exclusively in a clinical setting.
• What is the main goal of chemotherapy in veterinary medicine? The main goal is to improve and maintain the animal's quality of life, reduce the symptoms of the disease, slow its progression, and prolong an active life without pain.
• When should you consult a veterinary oncologist? You should consult a veterinary oncologist:
  - if a cancer diagnosis has been confirmed;
  - if the tumor is growing rapidly;
  - if the animal's condition worsens for no apparent reason;
  - after surgical removal of the tumor to assess further treatment.

Chemotherapy in veterinary medicine is a modern method of treating cancer in dogs and cats, aimed not only at controlling tumor growth, but above all at preserving the animal's quality of life.
At the Zoolex veterinary clinic in Kyiv, chemotherapy is carried out according to individually tailored protocols with constant monitoring of the patient's condition.

What is chemotherapy in veterinary medicine?

Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses special drugs that affect tumor cells, inhibiting their division and further growth.
Cancer cells have the ability to divide rapidly and uncontrollably — it is this feature that chemotherapy drugs target.

Unlike approaches in human medicine, veterinary chemotherapy does not aim for aggressive treatment at any cost. The main priority is the comfort, safety, and active life of the animal.

When is chemotherapy necessary for animals?

Chemotherapy in dogs and cats is used:

• in systemic oncological diseases (in particular, lymphomas);

• after surgical removal of the tumor - to destroy microscopic residual tumor cells;

• in cases where the tumor cannot be removed surgically;

• in the metastatic process;

• to reduce tumor size and alleviate clinical symptoms;

• as part of combination therapy (together with surgery, radiation therapy, or immunotherapy).

In what form is chemotherapy administered?

Chemotherapy drugs can be used:

• orally — in the form of tablets or capsules;

• intravenously — through a venous catheter.

Owners can administer some medications at home strictly according to the doctor's recommendations. Most chemotherapy drugs are administered exclusively in a clinical setting, as they require precise dosing, venous access control, and constant monitoring of the animal's condition.

How is chemotherapy performed at the Zoolex clinic?

Before each administration of the drug, the animal undergoes mandatory screening:

• clinical examination by a veterinarian;

• complete blood count with white blood cell count;

• biochemical blood test (assessment of liver and kidney function);

• weighing and individual recalculation of the drug dose (based on body weight or body surface area).

This ensures that the patient's body is ready to safely undergo the next stage of treatment.

If there are no contraindications, an intravenous catheter is inserted and the chemotherapy drug is infused. The duration of the procedure depends on the specific drug and can range from 30 minutes to 5–6 hours.

Chemotherapy is administered in specially designated, well-ventilated rooms with separate cubicles for each patient. Separate rooms are provided for cats and dogs to minimize stress.

In most cases, if the animal is stable, it can go home the same day.

Comfort and safety during the procedure

To reduce stress, you can bring with you:

• favorite food;

• blanket or mat;

• a toy from home.

If necessary, mild sedatives may be used if the animal is very anxious or does not allow the catheter to be inserted safely.

Side effects: what to expect

The most common are:

• temporary decrease in white blood cell count;

• nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;

• decreased appetite.

In most cases, these effects are mild, short-lived, and well controlled with medication. Serious complications are rare, and treatment protocols are always tailored to the individual.

Important information for owners

For up to 72 hours after chemotherapy, a small amount of the drug may be excreted in the animal's urine, feces, or vomit.

Recommended:

• use gloves;

• wash hands thoroughly after contact;

• minimize contact with biological fluids.

Chemotherapy at the Zoolex veterinary clinic

Chemotherapy in veterinary medicine is a controlled, individually tailored method of treating cancer. Its main goal is to maintain your pet's comfort, safety, and quality of life.

Thanks to careful monitoring, the right choice of medication, and close cooperation between the doctor and the owner, many dogs and cats can live longer, more active lives without pain.

Make an appointment with a veterinary oncologist at the Zoolex clinic in Kyiv to receive a personalized treatment plan.

Frequently asked questions about chemotherapy in dogs and cats

• Does chemotherapy hurt the animal? No. The administration of chemotherapy drugs is not painful. The animal may experience slight discomfort associated only with the insertion of a venous catheter. If necessary, sedatives are used to reduce stress.
• Do dogs and cats lose their fur after chemotherapy? Most animals do not lose their fur, or lose only a minimal amount. Complete alopecia, which is common in humans, is rare in veterinary medicine and depends on the breed and type of medication.
• How severe are the side effects? In most cases, side effects are mild and short-lived. The most common are:
  - decreased appetite;
  - nausea or diarrhea;
  - temporary decrease in white blood cell count.

Serious complications are rare, and the animal's condition is constantly monitored by a doctor.

• Can chemotherapy be combined with other treatments?—Yes. Chemotherapy is often part of a combination treatment and can be combined with surgery, radiation therapy, or immunotherapy, depending on the type of tumor and stage of the disease.
• How long does chemotherapy last? -The duration of treatment is individual and depends on the diagnosis, the body's response, and the treatment goals. Treatment may consist of several administrations at intervals of one to several weeks.
• Does the animal need to stay in the hospital? In most cases, no. If the animal's condition is stable, it can return home on the same day after the procedure. Hospitalization may be necessary only for medical reasons.
• Is chemotherapy safe for pet owners?Yes, provided that recommendations are followed. For up to 72 hours after the procedure, it is recommended to:
  - wear gloves when cleaning;
  - wash your hands after contact with animal secretions;
  - minimize contact with biological fluids.
• Can chemotherapy drugs be administered at home? Some drugs can be taken orally at home, but only under strict medical supervision. Intravenous drugs are administered exclusively in a clinical setting.
• What is the main goal of chemotherapy in veterinary medicine? The main goal is to improve and maintain the animal's quality of life, reduce the symptoms of the disease, slow its progression, and prolong an active life without pain.
• When should you consult a veterinary oncologist? You should consult a veterinary oncologist:
  - if a cancer diagnosis has been confirmed; - if the tumor is growing rapidly; - if the animal's condition worsens for no apparent reason; - after surgical removal of the tumor to assess further treatment.