Effects Of Chemotherapy On Dogs
Chemotherapy involves the use of cytotoxic drugs to help eradicate the cancerous cells from your
dog's system. However, these cytotoxic drugs are designed to kill cells, and will also damage your dog's
healthy systems. Generally, chemotherapy drugs are more toxic to cancerous cells than healthy cells,
though there are still many side effects caused by chemotherapy that may affect your dog.
1. Increased Chance Of Infections
Chemotherapy has been shown to lower the white blood cell count in dogs, which also lowers your dog's
immune response.
This is because chemotherapy drugs sometimes will suppress the bone marrow, which is responsible for creating new white blood cells.
This will lower the effectiveness of your dog's immune system against infectious agents. Secondary infections are common in dogs who are not treated with an immune system booster.
2. Anemia
Anemia is characterized by a lack of hemoglobin in your dog's system. Hemoglobin is found in healthy red blood cells, and helps oxygen be transferred from red blood cells to the organs. Since chemotherapy drugs are toxic to red blood cells, your dog's red blood cell count may drop sharply. This will trigger an anemic condition, and will require additional treatment. There are several treatment options for anemia during chemotherapy, including red blood cell transfusion and drugs to augment red blood cell production.
3. Hair Loss
This is one of the most common side effects associated with chemotherapy, both in humans and in dogs. Chemotherapy drugs are targeted to be the most toxic to fast-growing cells, such as cancer cells. However, the cells in your dog's hair follicle are also fast-growing, and are particularly susceptible to damage by cytotoxic drugs.
In dogs, the areas most commonly afflicted with hair loss are around the face, paws, and in local regions near the malignant tumor(s).4. Weight Loss/Gain
Chemotherapy in dogs can have the side effect of weight fluctuation in your dog. Weight loss can be connected with the fatigue resulting in your dog's body being under extreme stress. Dogs that are also suffering from anemia are more likely to experience weight loss, as well as a loss of interest in food.
Weight can can be induced when your dog is being treated by hormones or steroids, which may actually increase your dog's appetite. Also, in reaction to the loss of healthy cells from cytotoxic drugs, your dog may crave food more frequently in an attempt to replace lost nutrients.