Probable cutaneous hypersensitivity to carboplatin single-agent chemotherapy in a dog

Carboplatin is usually a well-tolerated drug and has many applications in veterinary oncology. The side effects of carboplatin described in the veterinary literature include myelotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, digestive and appetite disorders. In 114 dogs treated by single-agent chemotherapy with carboplatin, we observed a rate of non-haematological toxicities of 19·3% (personal observation). This case report describes the first case of cutaneous delayed-hypersensitivity to carboplatin in a dog, diagnosed according to the official ABON-system, which determines a causal association between a suspected product and a reported reaction (A=probable, B=possible, O=unclassifiable and N=unlikely), and an experimental intradermal skin test. Antihistamines were used to treat the reaction, and future carboplatin treatments were adjusted by premedication with corticosteroids, prolonged infusion and a reduction of 20% of the first dose of carboplatin. No further reactions were noted during the following treatments.