🐶💉 Cisplatin for Dogs: Vet Chemotherapy Treatment Guide for 2025

By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc

When cancer spreads beyond a single location in the body, surgery or radiation may no longer be effective on their own. For systemic or aggressive cancers in dogs, a powerful chemotherapy medication like Cisplatin (brand name Platinol-AQ) may be prescribed. 🧬🐾

This trusted 2025 veterinary guide walks you through how Cisplatin works, what types of cancer it treats, possible side effects, and safety precautions that pet parents must follow. 📘💊

🔬 What Is Cisplatin?

Cisplatin (also known as cis-DDP or cis-diamminedichloroplatinum) is a platinum-based chemotherapy drug. It works by forming cross-links within the DNA of rapidly dividing cells, preventing those cells from replicating and leading to their eventual destruction. Cancer cells, which multiply quickly, are highly vulnerable to this mechanism. 🔗🧪

Cisplatin is considered a cornerstone drug in treating certain solid tumors in dogs, though it must be administered with care due to its potent effects and potential toxicities. ❗

💉 How Cisplatin Is Used in Dogs

Cisplatin is typically administered via intravenous (IV) injection. To reduce the risk of kidney damage—a known side effect—treatment is combined with IV fluid diuresis. This means your dog will be hospitalized during administration for:

• 💧 Pre-treatment and post-treatment IV fluid therapy
• 💉 A slow and controlled IV infusion of Cisplatin
• 🩺 Ongoing vital sign and kidney function monitoring

In some situations, Cisplatin may be:

• 🧬 Injected directly into a tumor (e.g. skin tumors)
• 🌬️ Injected into the chest cavity to manage fluid build-up caused by cancer

🚫 Not Safe for Cats

Cisplatin is strictly prohibited for use in cats due to life-threatening lung toxicity. Even small doses can cause fatal pulmonary effects. 🐱❌

🦴 Tumors Treated with Cisplatin

Cisplatin has proven effective against several types of solid tumors in dogs:

• 🦷 Oral squamous cell carcinoma
• 🦴 Osteosarcoma (bone cancer)
• 🌊 Transitional cell carcinoma (urinary tract)
• 🌸 Ovarian carcinoma
• 🫁 Mediastinal carcinoma
• 🦴 Nasal and thyroid carcinomas

⚠️ Side Effects to Watch For

While Cisplatin is a potent cancer-fighting drug, it comes with a high potential for side effects. Regular blood and urine tests are essential to monitor organ function. Potential side effects include:

🎯 Expected Side Effects

• 🤢 Nausea and vomiting (typically 6–12 hours after treatment)

🔬 Serious Side Effects

• 🧬 Kidney toxicity – requires regular bloodwork and fluid therapy
• 🩸 Bone marrow suppression – may reduce white blood cells and platelets
• 👂 Ototoxicity – damage to the cochlear nerve (hearing loss is common in humans)
• 🦵 Potential nerve damage – rear limb weakness has been reported in dogs

📍 Note: Giving antioxidant supplements may reduce hearing loss, but it could also reduce the drug’s cancer-fighting ability. Always consult your vet before supplementing. 🧾

🧪 Drug Interactions

Cisplatin must not be used with certain medications due to potential interactions:

• 💊 Furosemide (a diuretic) – may increase risk of hearing loss

If your pet is on other medications, your vet will determine compatibility and may recommend alternatives. 🩺

📦 Excretion and Handling Safety

Cisplatin is eliminated primarily through the urine and feces, and approximately 80% is excreted within 48 hours. During this time, pet waste must be handled with extreme caution. 🚨

💡 Safety Guidelines for Pet Parents:

• 🧤 Always wear gloves when cleaning up urine, feces, or vomit for 2 days post-treatment
• 🗑️ Double-bag waste and seal gloves in plastic before disposing in household trash
• 👶 Keep treated pets away from small children or pregnant individuals during this time

🧬 Fertility and Reproductive Risks

• ⚠️ Cisplatin can cause permanent infertility
• 🤰 Not safe for use in pregnant or breeding animals

🚫 Contraindications: When NOT to Use Cisplatin

• 🐱 Cats – high risk of fatal pulmonary toxicity
• 🧬 Pets with kidney disease or existing bone marrow suppression
• 🐶 Pregnant dogs or breeding animals

📊 Monitoring and Blood Tests

Regular testing is critical for safe and effective Cisplatin therapy. Your vet will monitor:

• 🧪 Kidney values (BUN, Creatinine)
• 🩸 Blood cell counts (white cells, red cells, platelets)

These labs are often performed before each dose, and therapy is paused or adjusted if abnormalities are detected. 🧾📈

📞 When to Call the Vet

Contact your veterinarian immediately if your dog experiences:

• 🤮 Persistent vomiting or severe nausea
• 😴 Extreme lethargy or weakness
• 🔻 Loss of appetite or signs of dehydration
• 🩸 Blood in urine, bruising, or unusual bleeding

📲 Support from Ask A Vet

Need help managing chemotherapy side effects or understanding post-treatment safety? Download the Ask A Vet app for 24/7 access to licensed veterinarians. 🐾💬

Whether it’s during treatment or recovery, Ask A Vet provides trusted advice for pet parents managing complex cancer care. 📱🩺

✅ Final Thoughts

Cisplatin is a potent tool in the veterinary fight against cancer—especially in aggressive or hard-to-reach tumors. While it requires diligent monitoring and safety precautions, it can offer a meaningful extension of life and improved quality for dogs facing tough diagnoses. 🐶💖

With veterinary guidance, regular monitoring, and the right safety practices at home, your dog can undergo Cisplatin treatment as safely and comfortably as possible. 🎗️

– Dr Duncan Houston BVSc

💡Need help navigating canine cancer treatment? Visit AskAVet.com or download the Ask A Vet app for expert support at any stage of care.