Complete blood count evaluation of dogs treated with four different antineoplastic chemotherapy protocols

This retrospective study aimed to evaluate potential hematological alterations in dogs treated with four different antineoplastic protocols. We selected 69 dogs that received at least four chemotherapy sessions and divided them into four groups: vinblastine (VBL) (n = 30), doxorubicin (DOX) (n = 15), combined CHOP protocol (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone) (n = 11), and vincristine group (VCR) (n = 13). Hematological parameters were recorded from blood samples collected in five periods: T0 (before the start of treatment), T1, T2, T3, and T4 (before each session). The VBL group showed a significant reduction in erythrocyte (p < 0.01), hematocrit (p < 0.01), and hemoglobin (p = 0.02) values, although mean values remained within the reference range. Data related to the DOX group did not show any significant changes during treatment. Dogs with lymphoma in the CHOP group presented values indicative of anemia at T0 (mean hematocrit of 36.8% and hemoglobin of 12.3 g/dL), with reduction throughout the treatment. While there was a significant reduction in the neutrophil count of the VCR group (p = 0.03), the mean values were not compatible with neutropenia. This study revealed adverse hematological effects related to the use of cytotoxic agents.