title: CCNU (lomustine) toxicity in dogs: a retrospective study (2002-07).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the incidence of haematological, renal, hepatic and gastrointestinal toxicities in tumour-bearing dogs receiving 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU).
  
  
  METHODS
  The medical records of 206 dogs that were treated with CCNU at the Melbourne Veterinary Specialist Centre between February 2002 and December 2007 were retrospectively evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 206 dogs treated with CCNU, 185 met the inclusion criteria for at least one class of toxicity. CCNU was used most commonly in the treatment of lymphoma, mast cell tumour, brain tumour, histiocytic tumours and epitheliotropic lymphoma. Throughout treatment, 56.9% of dogs experienced neutropenia, 34.2% experienced anaemia and 14.2% experienced thrombocytopenia. Gastrointestinal toxicosis was detected in 37.8% of dogs, the most common sign of which was vomiting (24.3%). Potential renal toxicity and elevated alanine transaminase (ALT) concentration were reported in 12.2% and 48.8% of dogs, respectively. The incidence of hepatic failure was 1.2%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CCNU-associated toxicity in dogs is common, but is usually not life threatening.
authors.affiliation: Melbourne Veterinary Specialist Centre, Glen Waverley, Victoria, Australia. kateheading@hotmail.com
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Heading
authors.forename: L K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Brockley
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Bennett
mesh_terms: D000740:Anemia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000662:veterinary; D017093:Liver Failure / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000662:veterinary; D008130:Lomustine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000662:veterinary
chemical_list: D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; D008130:Lomustine