Case Series of Veterinary Cancer Patients Treated with Oral Low-Dose Naltrexone.

Abstract

A veterinary referral center specializing in veterinary oncology collaborated with a local compounding pharmacy to evaluate the effects of adding low-dose naltrexone (LDN) to the palliative care of dogs undergoing treatment for various cancers. Seven male neutered dogs were initially enrolled, each prescribed naltrexone 2 mg or 4.5 mg capsules (LoxOral), depending on body weight. Dosing began once daily for 30 days, then increased to twice daily for the remainder of the three-month study. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was assessed at baseline and every 9-10 days using a structured, cancer-specific veterinary questionnaire. Four dogs were evaluable, representing diagnoses of hepatocellular carcinoma, T-cell lymphoma, osteosarcoma, and multilobular osteochondrosarcoma. Improvements were observed in multiple domains, including happiness, mental status, pain control, appetite, hydration, and mobility. Owners consistently reported a maintained or enhanced quality of life. The treatment was well tolerated, with no adverse events reported. These results suggest that oral compounded LDN may be a valuable palliative care option in veterinary oncology, particularly when incorporated upon diagnosis to help preserve quality of life throughout treatment.