Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Lithium did not prevent low blood cells from lomustine in dogs
By Abrams-Ogg, Anthony C G·Published in Canadian journal of veterinary research = Revue canadienne de recherche veterinaire·2011·Department of Clinical Studies, Canada·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: The use of lithium carbonate to prevent lomustine-induced myelosuppression in dogs: a pilot study.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Two beagles were given a cancer treatment called lomustine, which can cause a drop in blood cell counts, while also receiving lithium to see if it would help prevent this side effect. Unfortunately, both dogs still experienced low blood cell counts after treatment, and the lithium caused some harmful effects, leading to its discontinuation in both dogs. Overall, the study found that lithium did not effectively prevent the blood issues caused by lomustine and had significant side effects.
People also search for: dog cancer treatment side effects · lomustine for dogs · lithium for dogs blood issues
Abstract
This was a preliminary investigation of the use of lithium to prevent lomustine-induced myelosuppression. Four 10 to 11 kg beagles received lomustine 20 to 30 mg, PO, q3wk, with cephalexin prophylaxis. Two dogs also received lithium, 150 to 300 mg, PO, q12h. Lithium blood concentrations fluctuated in and out of therapeutic interval. Lithium was discontinued in one dog in week 13, and in the other dog in week 38, due to toxicoses. All dogs developed grade 1 to 4 neutropenia after each lomustine treatment. In dogs receiving lomustine only, platelet concentrations decreased from 274 and 293 × 10(9)/L in week 1, to 178 and 218 × 10(9)/L in weeks 38 and 13, respectively. In dogs receiving lomustine and lithium, platelet concentrations decreased from 351 and 288 × 10(9)/L in week 1, to 214 and 212 × 10(9)/L, in weeks 36 and 13, respectively. Lithium did not prevent lomustine-induced myelosuppression and had important side-effects.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21461200/