What is chemotherapy?
Cancer chemotherapy uses cytotoxic drugs to kill cancer cells. Unfortunately they also affects normal rapidly multiplying cells like those that line the gut and bone marrow cells that produce blood cells.
Cancer is a disease of uncontrolled growth of cells. Cells are the basic structural units of the body. Normally they replicate to replace themselves as they age. In cancer a particular cell line multiplies in an inappropriate and uncontrolled manner.
What are cytotoxic drugs?
Many anti-cancer drugs are cytotoxic. Cytotoxic means “damaging to cells”. These drugs block cell growth and division and thus prevent cancer cells from multiplying. Cytotoxic drugs act only on rapidly dividing cells such as cancer cells but they can also harm normal body cells.
What side effects do cytotoxic drugs have?
Because cytotoxic drugs affect all rapidly dividing cells in the body, normal cells in blood-producing bone marrow, the gut, skin and reproductive organs are also affected.
Many animals on chemotherapy experience no side effects. However, they are more prone to infections, bleeding, vomiting, diarrhoea and loss of appetite.
Animals do not lose all their fur with chemotherapy drugs. Reproductive function is usually not relevant.
Some cytotoxic drugs cause liver, kidney or heart problems. The most serious side effect of chemotherapy is infection. We monitor for these problems with regular blood tests.
Am I at risk of exposure from these drugs?
Cytotoxic drugs are very potent and must be handled with care. We admit animals to hospital to administer most chemotherapy. Some are given by injection while other drugs are given as capsules or tablets.
Do not to handle urine or faeces after any chemotherapy session.
This information is of a general nature only, and must not be used as veterinary advice except where directed by your veterinarian. Hall Veterinary Surgery does not warrant the suitability of this information for specific cases. If your animal is unwell or you want to act on this information, please contact us on 6230 2223.
Your point of view caught my eye and was very interesting. Thanks. I have a question for you.
Your article helped me a lot, is there any more related content? Thanks!
Thanks for posting. I really enjoyed reading it, especially because it addressed my problem. It helped me a lot and I hope it will help others too.
Hello there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found that it is really informative. I抦 gonna watch out for brussels. I抣l be grateful if you continue this in future. Numerous people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!
I抦 not that much of a online reader to be honest but your sites really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your website to come back down the road. All the best
Great content! Super high-quality! Keep it up! http://www.hairstylesvip.com
I don’t think the title of your article matches the content lol. Just kidding, mainly because I had some doubts after reading the article. https://accounts.binance.com/ph/register-person?ref=B4EPR6J0
I don’t think the title of your article matches the content lol. Just kidding, mainly because I had some doubts after reading the article.
Normally I don’t learn article on blogs, but I wish to say that this write-up very pressured me
to take a look at and do it! Your writing taste has been amazed me.
Thanks, very great article.
My web blog … Nordvpn coupons inspiresensation
Everything is very open with a clear clarification of the issues.
It was definitely informative. Your site is useful.
Thank you for sharing!
Feel free to visit my webpage – nordvpn coupons inspiresensation
Your point of view caught my eye and was very interesting. Thanks. I have a question for you.
350fairfax nordvpn discount
If some one wants expert view regarding blogging afterward i suggest him/her
to go to see this blog, Keep up the fastidious job.