Treatment of feline mammary tumours using chemotherapy, surgery and a COX‐2 inhibitor drug (meloxicam): a retrospective study of 23 cases (2002–2007)*

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The efficacy of a treatment combination of a COX-2 inhibitor (meloxicam), chemotherapy and surgery in 23 cats with histologically confirmed mammary gland adenocarcinoma was evaluated. All of the cases underwent an aggressive surgery with concurrent doxorubicin-based chemotherapy. Meloxicam was given orally starting the day after surgery and was continued indefinitely. Serum renal parameters were measured every 3-5 months. Three cats developed azotemia, whereas in four other renal parameters increased but remained within normal limit. The Kaplan-Meier median survival time was 460 days. The Kaplan-Meier median disease free interval was 269 days. The survival times are similar to other studies, not supporting the use of this treatment combination. Prospective studies with a higher number of cases are warranted to investigate the utility of this multimodality protocol for the treatment of feline mammary tumours.