Vincristine Extravasation (Chemo Leak)

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Vincristine Extravasation (Chemo Leak)

Posted : 6/10/2012 2:02:45 PM

Hi all. Has anyone dealt with a vincristine extravasation (chemo leak)? I've done a lot of Internet research and thankfully vincristine leaking into the surrounding tissues is not fatal, but it is not good, either. In my dog's case it's been over four months and the IV catheter site (right front shin) is still eroded, raw, irritated, and healing VERY slowly. The skin turns leathery and sloughs off in sheets, and then Blue will suddenly lick it again, and the wound will ooze and get crusted over again. Blue had been on high doses of prednisone (an immuno-supressant) so that will defnitely delay healing. We put him in the cone of shame whenever we are not around to keep him away from the wound, but often don't think to use it when we get the mail, cook, etc. Anyone out there with experience of words of advice? Thanks, Keka P.S. Feel free to repost or refer me elsewhere if a more appropriate forum exists.

calliecritturs

Posted : 6/10/2012 4:36:06 PM

Hmm -- what does the vet say?

honestly my way would likely to be to put an e-collar on him **all** the time. Even if you get one of those fabric ones -- you can make themselves and you crazy trying to take it on and off, but sometimes you just gotta let it heal. I didn't think we'd EVER get Charlie's cone off after his eye surgery -- But we literally left it on until he just plain didn't eve try to bother it at all (which was nearly a month in this case for something no one expected to last longer than a week or so).

Sometimes feeling sorry for them and taking the e-collar off prematurely can actually make healing take FAR longer. We only took Charlies "off" when we WERE literally tied to him, rather than trying to 'remember' to put it on him. It was not easy but it was the only solution we found.

But I'm wondering what the vet says -- I'm a bit surprised they haven't wanted to work on it unless it is healing as expected.

How much air does the vet say it needs -- with a wound that is dealing with deadened tissue -- I honestly don't know if covering it would be bad or good.

Does the vet have you put anything on it?

BigBlueDog

Posted : 6/10/2012 5:13:09 PM

calliecritturs
Hmm -- what does the vet say?

Hi Callie! The Purdue Univ vet was really surprised to hear it was still an issue (although I do ask about it regularly); she said she would talk with the oncologist. She thought at first it was just irritation from the catheter and told us to wait and see, and now she thinks that the pred is partly the culprit because it inhibits the normal immune system healing response (as you well know!). I guess these chemo leaks take a while to heal anyway. Local vet suggested vitamin E oil and/or neosporin. Both vets agree to keep Blue away from the wound, and that air is the best option (just like your hunch). I think we must be more vigilant as you suggested and e-collar him all the time. Maybe this next pred reduction will allow the immune system to kick in...