# Carboplatin: veterinary dose and monograph

> Carboplatin is a veterinary drug. A platinum-based alkylating-type CHEMOTHERAPY agent dosed by BODY SURFACE AREA (mg/m²) — the mainstay adjuvant chemotherapy for canine OSTEOSARCOMA (after amputation/limb-sparing, to delay metastasis) and used for various… Indications include canine appendicular/axial osteosarcoma — adjuvant chemotherapy (delay metastasis) after surgery; carcinomas (e.g. anal sac, nasal, mammary) and various sarcomas (per protocol); feline injection-site sarcoma and carcinomas (carboplatin is the cat-safe platinum). This monograph lists 3 reference doses for dogs, cats and rabbits, each with route, frequency and source.

Source: https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/carboplatin · Last reviewed: 2026-10-01

## At a glance

- **Drug class:** Veterinary drug
- **Also known as:** Paraplatin, Carboplatin
- **Species with doses:** Dogs, Cats and Rabbits
- **Routes:** IV
- **Last reviewed:** 1 October 2026

## Indications

- Canine appendicular/axial osteosarcoma — adjuvant chemotherapy (delay metastasis) after surgery
- Carcinomas (e.g. anal sac, nasal, mammary) and various sarcomas (per protocol)
- Feline injection-site sarcoma and carcinomas (carboplatin is the cat-safe platinum)
- Intracavitary therapy for malignant effusions (specialist)

## Carboplatin dose by species

Doses are per administration unless stated. mg/kg doses scale with body weight; per-animal, per-quarter and infusion-rate doses are shown as the reference writes them.

### Dogs

*Carboplatin doses for dogs*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Osteosarcoma / carcinoma (BSA dosing) | 300 mg/m² IV every 3 weeks (300–350 mg/m²), for 4–6 cycles | IV | every 3 weeks | — |

- Osteosarcoma / carcinoma (BSA dosing): Dosed by BODY SURFACE AREA. Papich 5e: 300 mg/m² IV every 3 weeks for four to six cycles. Plumb’s p.196: 300–350 mg/m² IV every 3 weeks; reduce with impaired renal function. Never confuse with cisplatin (much lower dose). CBC before each dose (delayed nadir).

### Cats

*Carboplatin doses for cats*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Injection-site sarcoma / carcinoma (BSA dosing) | 180–260 mg/m² IV every 3–4 weeks (Papich: 200–227 mg/m² every 4 weeks × 4) | IV | every 3–4 weeks | — |

- Injection-site sarcoma / carcinoma (BSA dosing): Papich 5e: 200–227 mg/m² IV every 4 weeks for four treatments (≈14.7 mg/kg for a 4 kg cat). Plumb’s p.196: 180–260 mg/m² every 3 weeks; also used intratumorally for nasal planum carcinoma. Nadir may be later and deeper in cats. NEVER cisplatin in cats (fatal pulmonary oedema).

### Rabbits

*Carboplatin doses for rabbits*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Neoplasia (per protocol) | 180–260 mg/m² IV every 3 weeks | IV | every 3 weeks | — |

- Neoplasia (per protocol): Plumb’s p.196 (cats and rabbits). Consult an oncologist.

## Contraindications

CATS — cisplatin is fatal (use carboplatin instead); do not confuse the two platinum drugs. Pre-existing significant myelosuppression. Significant renal impairment (dose by GFR/reduce — renally cleared). Pregnancy (teratogenic/cytotoxic). Known platinum hypersensitivity. Cytotoxic-handling precautions required.

## Species-specific warnings

> **Caution:** Cats: Carboplatin is the cat-SAFE platinum — but cats have a delayed/profound nadir (monitor CBC closely). NEVER give cisplatin to cats (fatal pulmonary oedema).

## Adverse effects

- Myelosuppression — neutropenia/thrombocytopenia with a DELAYED nadir (dose-limiting; nadir ~1–3 weeks, later in cats)
- GI: vomiting, diarrhoea, anorexia
- Nephrotoxicity (much less than cisplatin) and ototoxicity (uncommon)
- Anaphylactoid infusion reactions (platinum); alopecia

## Drug interactions

- Other myelosuppressive chemo/radiation: additive marrow suppression
- Aminoglycosides/other nephro-/ototoxins: additive (though carboplatin is much less nephrotoxic than cisplatin)
- Live vaccines: avoid during immunosuppression

## Pregnancy and lactation

Contraindicated in pregnancy (teratogenic/cytotoxic). Full cytotoxic-handling precautions; pregnant staff must not handle/administer.

## Monitoring

- CBC before each dose AND during the (delayed) nadir period — the key monitor
- Renal function (dose by GFR in azotaemia; carboplatin is renally cleared)
- Anaphylactoid-reaction surveillance during infusion (repeated cycles)
- Tumour response/metastasis surveillance; cytotoxic-handling precautions

## Toxicity and overdose

The dose-limiting toxicity is MYELOSUPPRESSION with a characteristically DELAYED nadir (later still in cats). GI toxicity is generally mild-moderate; nephro- and ototoxicity are far less than with cisplatin. Anaphylactoid platinum reactions can occur (especially with repeated cycles). Overdose intensifies marrow suppression. Cats tolerate carboplatin but NOT cisplatin (which is fatal to them).

Management: No specific antidote. Supportive/intensive care for myelosuppression (antibiotics for neutropenic sepsis, ± G-CSF, transfusion for severe thrombocytopenia). Anticipate the DELAYED nadir — monitor CBC over weeks. Treat anaphylactoid reactions (slow/stop infusion, antihistamine/steroid). Support renal function; monitor.

## Clinical pearls

- The platinum drug for OSTEOSARCOMA adjuvant chemo — and, unlike cisplatin, it is SAFE in CATS (cisplatin causes fatal pulmonary oedema in cats: never confuse them)
- Much less nephrotoxic/emetogenic than cisplatin — no forced saline diuresis needed; MYELOSUPPRESSION (delayed nadir) is the dose-limiter instead
- Dose by BSA (and by GFR in renal patients); check the CBC before each cycle and expect the nadir to be delayed (even later in cats)
- Avoid aluminium-containing needles/equipment (platinum-aluminium reaction) and handle with full cytotoxic precautions

## Mechanism of action

A platinum compound that, after aquation, forms covalent platinum-DNA adducts and intra-/inter-strand CROSS-LINKS, distorting DNA and blocking replication/transcription — triggering apoptosis of dividing cells (cell-cycle non-specific), analogous to alkylating agents. Its more stable leaving group (vs cisplatin) gives slower, less reactive kinetics — translating clinically into much less nephro- and neuro-toxicity and emesis, with myelosuppression instead as the dose-limiting effect.

## Formulations and products

- Injection 10 mg/mL (50 / 150 / 450 mg vial)
- Paraplatin / Carboplatin — 10 mg/mL (50 / 150 / 450 mg vial), Injection (human-label)

## Storage

Injection: 15–25 °C, protect from light; do NOT use aluminium needles/equipment (platinum reacts with aluminium — precipitation/loss of potency). Handle as a hazardous cytotoxic; dispose appropriately.

## Before you use this dose

> **Caution:** Reference doses for veterinary professionals. Confirm the dose against the product label, the patient’s condition, current guidance and local regulations before use; the attending veterinarian remains responsible for every clinical decision.

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## Frequently asked questions

### What is the dose of Carboplatin for dogs?

Reference doses for Carboplatin in dogs: 300 mg/m² IV every 3 weeks (300–350 mg/m²), for 4–6 cycles IV every 3 weeks (Osteosarcoma / carcinoma (BSA dosing)). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### What is the dose of Carboplatin for cats?

Reference doses for Carboplatin in cats: 180–260 mg/m² IV every 3–4 weeks (Papich: 200–227 mg/m² every 4 weeks × 4) IV every 3–4 weeks (Injection-site sarcoma / carcinoma (BSA dosing)). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### What is the dose of Carboplatin for rabbits?

Reference doses for Carboplatin in rabbits: 180–260 mg/m² IV every 3 weeks IV every 3 weeks (Neoplasia (per protocol)). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### When should Carboplatin not be used?

CATS — cisplatin is fatal (use carboplatin instead); do not confuse the two platinum drugs. Pre-existing significant myelosuppression. Significant renal impairment (dose by GFR/reduce — renally cleared). Pregnancy (teratogenic/cytotoxic). Known platinum hypersensitivity. Cytotoxic-handling precautions required.

### What are the side effects of Carboplatin in animals?

Myelosuppression — neutropenia/thrombocytopenia with a DELAYED nadir (dose-limiting; nadir ~1–3 weeks, later in cats); GI: vomiting, diarrhoea, anorexia; Nephrotoxicity (much less than cisplatin) and ototoxicity (uncommon); Anaphylactoid infusion reactions (platinum); alopecia.

## Sources

- Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook
- Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th edition
- Papich, Papich Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 5th edition

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VetMasterJi is a clinical decision-support and education platform for veterinary professionals and students. It does not provide veterinary advice, diagnosis or treatment for specific animals. All drug doses, calculators and differentials are references that must be independently verified before clinical use; the attending registered veterinarian remains solely responsible for every clinical decision.