Doxorubicin nephrotoxicity in cats (Felis catus) with malignant mammary neoplasms

ABSTRACT The aim of the study was to investigate the nephrotoxicity of doxorubicin in cats with malignant neoplasms of the mammary gland. All selected cats did not present comorbidities such as nephropathies and/or cardiomyopathies, confirmed by physical and laboratory tests, underwent radical mastectomy associated with regional lymph node excision and were treated with a protocol based on doxorubicin. Renal markers of urea, creatinine, symmetrical dimethylarginine were evaluated during all the treatment, and two months after the end. Abdominal ultrasound, urinalysis and biochemical analysis of protein, urinary creatinine and urinary GGT were performed in the beginning and two months after the end of the treatment, to evaluate possible renal alterations. Six cats did not present renal alterations in any exams performed during the study. Two cats presented azotemia during this study, and one of them stopped the treatment early, because of the intense azotemia. Clinical imaging and laboratory monitoring of patients throughout the treatment is essential, including the measurement of analytes that detect kidney changes early. Thus, it is emphasized that doxorubicin is a safe drug for use in non-nephropathic cats.