HAEMATOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT IN DOGS UNDERGOING ANTINEOPLASTIC TREATMENT WITH VINCRISTINE SULPHATE, PREDNISONE AND CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE - EXPERIMENTAL STUDY.

Abstract

This investigation assessed two antineoplastic protocols with cyclophosphamide, vincristine and prednisone (COP), both highly used in Veterinary Medicine for the treatment of neoplasias, particularly those lymphoproliferatives, whose cytostatic action can induce alterations in erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets. This study had as a main goal the evaluation of the hematotoxic effects induced by the administration of COP1 and COP2 protocols. Therefore, eight healthy dogs were divided in two groups (COP1 and COP2), and underwent chemotherapy for eight weeks. The study was composed by pre and post-chemotherapy phases, which were named “Fase 1” and “Fase 2”. Haematological evaluations were carried out at weekly intervals. Under the experimental conditions hematological changes were documented especially in animals treated with COP1 protocol, with leukopenia being the main hallmark as compared to COP2 protocol.

KEY-WORDS: Chemotherapy. Cyclophosphamide. Vincristine.  Prednisone.  Neoplasm.  Hematology. Dog.