Antineoplastic chemotherapy in cats

Abstract

[Extract] In recent years, chemotherapy has been used successfully in the treatment of certain small animal tumours. By extrapolation from studies in humans and experimental animals, and partly through trial and error, therapeutic protocols have been devised. It is now possible to treat a variety of tumours with good efficacy and minimal adverse effects. A great deal more is known about canine than feline chemotherapy. The reason for this is purely historical, most investigators having concentrated on the dog rather than the cat. This seems a little unfair, given the increasing popularity of cats as pets and the importance of neoplasia as a cause of illness and death in this species. Fortunately, a number of recent articles on aspects of feline antitumour chemotherapy have redressed the imbalance somewhat. In general, cats tolerate chemotherapy rather well and their small size makes the use of expensive chemotherapeutic agents far more affordable than it would be in a large dog.