Short-term evaluation of renal biochemical parameters in dogs completing chemotherapy for lymphoma

To identify if chemotherapeutic drugs in the CHOP-based protocol led to an increase in renal parameters in dogs with lymphoma during therapy and investigate whether factors such as prednisolone use or age affected this result.

Data were obtained retrospectively from private referral practice records of dogs diagnosed with lymphoma receiving a CHOP-based chemotherapy protocol between 2015 and 2019. Dogs included received a CHOP-based protocol as their first treatment, received four full cycles and were in remission at the end of the protocol. Blood samples obtained at baseline and at the time of final chemotherapy administration were analysed for serum biochemistry and haematology including creatinine, urea, phosphate, sodium, potassium, calcium, albumin, total protein, haematocrit, neutrophil and platelet count. Data were analysed using paired t-tests. Changes in the same measures were investigated for possible age effects using Pearson correlations. Changes in these measures were compared between dogs receiving or not receiving prednisolone using 2-sample t-tests without the assumption of equal variances. Changes were jointly compared to both age and prednisolone use in general linear models. Significance was taken as P < 0.05.

Thirty dogs met the inclusion criteria. No significant changes in serum creatinine concentrations were observed. Increased serum albumin concentration at the end of treatment was observed in younger dogs not receiving prednisolone.

Short-term changes in renal parameters following a CHOP-based chemotherapy protocol in dogs were not observed. Further prospective studies are warranted.

No funding was received and no conflict of interest to declare.