When you first hear that your pet needs chemotherapy, it’s pretty daunting. I remember feeling overwhelmed and scared because I didn’t want Blueberry to suffer, but at the same time, I wanted more time with her. So what exactly can you expect when your dog or cat needs chemo?
Unlike the drugs administered to people, chemotherapy for pets is not as powerful. Dogs and cats receive a much smaller dose than humans, which means that most of them don’t experience the severe side effects that people do.
This doesn’t mean that they won’t become ill after therapy. But they may not experience severe symptoms, such as chronic vomiting and major hair loss.
If you aren’t sure whether to move forward with chemotherapy as a treatment for cancer in your pet, I delve into what chemotherapy for pets is, along with the pros and cons and the costs. Furthermore, I share my experience with Blueberry, as she received doxorubicin for hemangiosarcoma.
What is Chemotherapy for Pets?
Chemotherapy is a cancer-fighting drug used to stop the growth of cancer cells and shrink tumors. It does not cure cancer, but in most cases, it can increase your pet’s longevity depending on the type of cancer.
Oral Treatment
In some cases, where the cancer is less aggressive, pets receive oral medication. This means that you are responsible for giving them cancer pills as prescribed by your vet. It is less expensive than IV treatment and offers the convenience of avoiding stressful vet visits, but you must take strict measures when handling these drugs. Oral chemotherapy also takes much longer to work compared to IV treatment.
IV Treatment
IV delivers more powerful cancer drugs that spread through the body faster than oral medication. It is necessary for cats and dogs with aggressive types of cancer, such as lymphoma. This process requires visits to the vet, where pets must remain calm during the treatment. Any rapid movement could cause the chemo to leak into the surrounding tissues and essentially burn their skin. In the worst-case scenario, it would lead to an injury known as extravasation, or tissue necrosis.
While this was a risk with Blueberry, the veterinary team did an excellent job of keeping her relaxed.
When is Chemo for Pets Used?
Chemotherapy treats lymphoma, osteosarcoma (bone cancer), hemangiosarcoma, bladder cancer, mammary cancer, and can shrink mast cell tumors.
Does Chemotherapy for Pets Really Make a Difference?
With so many treatments available today, you might be wondering whether chemo really is the best option for managing your pet’s cancer journey. Does it make a difference, and is it necessary to put your dog or cat through? Justifying this treatment depends on your pet’s age, overall health, and the type of cancer they have.
At 6 years old, Blueberry was considered a young dog. She was strong and in relatively good health. Because hemangiosarcoma cannot be removed surgically, as you would a malignant tumor, the only way to destroy and stop the proliferation of the cancer cells is with chemotherapy. And yes, while alternatives, such as cancer-fighting turkey tail mushrooms, exist, they cannot deliver the same results as chemo.
I’m a firm supporter of alternative therapies to manage cancer; however, I’m also realistic about the limitations. In some instances, combining traditional medicine with natural therapies can deliver the best results for your fur friend.
Blueberry’s Experience with Chemotherapy
Blueberry was my 6-year-old Boerboel that was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma of the spleen. It’s a horrible type of cancer that affects the lining of the blood vessels. Because the lifespan of dogs with this condition is around 3 months, I decided to move forward with chemotherapy that could increase her longevity to between 6 months and one year.
This decision was also based on an in-depth consultation with Berry’s vet oncologist at the time. He explained how the chemo would reduce the cancer load in her body and that she should tolerate the treatment quite well. In other words, she wouldn’t necessarily experience the side effects that would make her extremely sick.
After Blueberry’s first chemo session, she was tired but still in good spirits. She received anti-nausea medication, which I didn’t need to use while she was on chemo.
How Much Does Chemotherapy for Pets Cost?
Chemo is expensive! Because I had pet insurance at the time, I was able to cover the excess for each treatment, which was a major blessing. In 2024, a single chemotherapy session for my dog cost just over R5000, which is approximately $300.
The Side Effects of Chemotherapy in Pets
I’ll start with Berry’s side effects during her 3 months of chemotherapy. She lost her whiskers and what I like to call her “eyelashes,” but didn’t lose her actual coat hair. She wasn’t really sick during her sessions, and despite experiencing an occasional upset stomach, she maintained a good appetite. All dogs and cats on chemo receive strong anti-nausea medication. If you notice excessive drooling and a lack of interest in food after treatment, these pills will ease the nausea and discomfort.
What to Expect when Your Pet Receives Chemotherapy
It takes a considerable amount of time and effort to care for pets during chemotherapy. Some days they’ll have a healthy appetite, and other days they’ll be depressed. Your fur baby will definitely have less energy, so be mindful when taking them on walks. I also recommend feeding them a nutritious diet during this time to support their immune systems and overall recovery.
Cleaning Up After Your Pets
Each time your dog or cat relieves themselves, you must clean up after them. Even if they potty outdoors, urine must be flushed with water and feces picked up and tossed into a bag, then into the trash. Your pet’s urine, feces, and saliva will contain small amounts of the chemotherapy drugs, so any body fluid must be cleaned to avoid exposing other people and pets to it.
Hair Loss and Chemo: My Scary Experience
I remember asking the vet technician if it was safe for Blueberry to lick us while on her treatment. She said yes, but only in moderation. Maybe it was my imagination, but during those 3 months, I definitely lost more hair than usual! Blueberry slept on my bed, and she loved giving kisses, but I noticed that I could pull out small batches of my hair when running my hands through it.
The larger-than-usual hair loss stopped a few weeks after Berry completed her therapy. There’s no proof that her treatment was connected to my hair loss, but I would suggest washing your hands if your pet licks you while on chemo.
Secondary Skin Infection
Around a month after her treatment, I noticed these small bumps developing on Berry’s body. Each bump would scab over, and the hair fell out. These bumps were also incredibly itchy, and she would bite and scratch at the affected areas, which made the condition worse. The vet did a skin scrape and found a bacterial and fungal skin infection. Apparently, the chemo destroys the skin’s protective barrier, making them more susceptible to infections. Blueberry was prescribed an antifungal shampoo and had to be bathed at least 3 to 4 times a week. It continued for 6 months before there was a significant improvement, but she never fully recovered before she passed.
Hyperpigmentation
She developed black patches across her abdomen, which is known as chemo-induced hyperpigmentation. While it didn’t look good, the patches eventually disappeared. Not all dogs and cats on chemo experience dermal infections or hyperpigmentation, but it’s something to be aware of should you notice changes in the color and condition of their skin.
Final Thoughts on Chemotherapy for Pets
Based on personal experience, I would recommend chemotherapy depending on your pet’s cancer and condition. Despite Berry’s side effects, her 10 months had far more happy days than bad ones. It does take work, and not all animals can be successfully treated. Some pets simply cannot tolerate the process or the drugs, and while this may be disheartening, there are alternatives you can try to slow the progression of cancer.
Another factor to consider is the cost. Chemotherapy for a dog or a cat doesn’t come cheap, and if you don’t have pet insurance, that means covering a significant out-of-pocket expense. In addition to treatment, if they suffer from complications requiring additional medication or hospitalization, that’s another major cost. You must discuss the risks with your oncologist veterinarian. They should provide transparency concerning the pros and cons based on your pet’s diagnosis.
Be sure to give your dog or cat quiet time after their treatment. If your pooch is up for a walk, don’t overexert them. Do just enough to keep their spirits up.
I know this decision is hard, but hopefully the information I’ve provided, along with discussions with your vet and cost considerations, can help you and your fur companion move forward with strength and a renewed sense of hope.