Intravenous administration of docetaxel to cats with cancer.

The safety of i.v. administration of docetaxel to cats with cancer has not been reported. Document adverse effects of i.v. administration of docetaxel to cats. Twenty-one client-owned cats with any confirmed malignancy. Cats received up to 5 docetaxel treatments, administered i.v. every 3 weeks. The initial dosage was 1.0 mg/kg, and dosages were increased by increments of 0.25 mg/kg in cohorts of 3 cats. Adverse events were determined by a CBC at days 7 and 21, serum chemistry and urine specific gravity at day 21, and medical histories provided by the owners. Cats received docetaxel dosages ranging from 1.0 to 2.5 mg/kg, for a median of 2 treatments. Dose-limiting toxicoses included fever, neutropenia, and vomiting, seen in 2 of the 4 cats treated at 2.5 mg/kg. Hypersensitivity reactions were infrequent (4 of the 21 cats) and mild. The maximum tolerated dosage was 2.25 mg/kg. Docetaxel can be administered i.v. to cats with a low incidence of adverse effects.