Hematologic changes associated with weekly low-dose cisplatin administration in dogs

Kevin A. Hahn
Barton W. Rohrbach Dr., University of Tennessee - Knoxville
Alfred M. Legendre
D L. Frazier
M L. Nolan

Abstract

The systemic toxicity of cisplatin (20 mg/m, i.v.) when given in weekly doses before localized irradiation was investigated in dogs with solid malignancies. 11 dogs received a total of 54 weekly doses of cisplatin. Two dogs did not complete the 5-week protocol due to progressive disease and 2 dogs received 6 weekly doses of cisplatin. Repeated administration of cisplatin caused a significant decline in the leukocyte count, segmented neutrophil count, and platelet count. These changes were related to the number of cisplatin doses. The dogs showed no significant alteration of blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, or urine specific gravity during treatment. Weekly low-dose cisplatin, as used in this study, is safe for use in tumour-bearing dogs. However, the significant decline in the leukocyte, segmented neutrophil, and platelet counts in these 11 dogs suggest that cisplatin prescribed at 20 mg/m i.v. once each week should not exceed 5 consecutive treatments.