Canine Bladder Cancer (TCC)-Incontinence

I have not been to this site in some time, I honestly don't know why.  I like to think because I'm busy, but who isn't?  Denial, perhaps? 

Max was doing so well, but just yesterday and today we fear we may be getting near the end.  He's gotten slower and slower and sleeping alot, but we thought it was ok as he still seemed happy.  After all, he's an older dude plus has the cancer. 

The best way I know to describe him is withdrawn.  He stays in his bed in the sunroom almost all the time.  Yesterday he came out for a piece of Dad's breakfast (typically a BIG part of his daily routine!), but stayed in bed the rest of the day.  I managed to get him to go outside only once.  He would not come into the TV room last night to have a taste of Dad's ice cream, which he usually thinks is the best treat!

I put his extra bed in our bedroom last night to see if he would stay close.  Nope - after a little while he went back to the bed in the sunroom.  This is a dog who has always stayed close by us.

Oh, and something else.  He's been very "gassy" the past week or so.  And he pooped in the house 2X yesterday.  Could this mean the tumor is now so big it affects his bowels too???

This morning, he rejected his piece of Dad's breakfast.  He wouldn't go out, and he barely lifted his head.  He did get up once and drink a little bit.  Now sleeping again.  At one point when I was petting him and talking to him, he gave me a "look".  Now, Max is the king of "looks", so maybe I'm reading something into it.  But my instinct is that he is trying to tell me something. 

I hope he's just having a couple of bad days, but don't want to kid myself.  Max deserves better.  I'll keep you posted. 

As so many have stated, thank God for this site.  Maybe nothing gets solved and we end up with the same dreaded result, but it's comforting to know we're not alone. 

 

On 7/4/2007 Dextermom wrote:

Hi, I just found this site today. I'm the "Mom" of an 11 year-old Sheltie, Dexter, who was diagnosed with bladder cancer about 2 months ago. Shelties are prone to it along with Scotties and Westies (I didn't know this until 2 months ago). Anyway, she's being treated at Purdue, in central Indiana (we live in Chicago) and they have been wonderful to us. They're supposedly in the forefront of canine bladder cancer research in the world. I don't have any advice about incontinence--just wanted to put in a good word for Purdue. Dexter's about to get a stent because the tumor has completely blocked her urethra. She would've died if I hadn't brought her to Purdue; they opened up her bladder surgically and connected a tube so that her bladder can be emptied (manually). I really thought I was going to lose her when I saw her straining to urinate but not being able to. So it's very heartening to hear from people who have been living with this for a while and the dog still has a good quality of life. I'm very grateful to the folks at Purdue--for me this has been a miracle.

Hi Dexter's Mom!

I have read often on this message board how great the folks are at Purdue--they seem to be doing more studies and know more about canine TCC than any other place out there.

My Annie was diagnosed in March of 2005--it was very early on so we have been quite fortunate for two years. Sadly she is just now having trouble urinating and I am all too well aware what that means.  Is the stent different from a catheter ? How does it work? And (forgive me for asking) how long can this work for--indefinitely??? And who is Dexter's doctor? I'm wondering if I can refer my vet to him and see if this procedure could help my Annie.

Thank you so much and good luck to you and Dexter.

Marty 

 

I was wondering how Dexter is doing with the stent you were having done this past summer?  My dog was dx. with TCC in early August - has been on piroxicam and change to all natural, no grain/carbs diet since then.  Been tolerating the piroxicam with only occasional tummy upset.  The tumor is continuing to grow - as gone from 6cm, 1cm to now 2 cm since August and is growing narrowly up the urethrea, but not causing blockage yet.  Our vet has offered to inplant a stent that we would then "relieve" her ourselves as needed.  The tumor is long and narrow - the bulk of her bladder is clean and no lymph involvement at this time or other spread per ultrasound.

We likely have a couple of more months doing nothing.  Possibly "months" if we do the stent.  Can you  (or anyone who has done the stent procedure) share your experience with this procedure and it's results, challenges, etc.?

 

Thanks so much - all of the information gained on this site has been so helpful to us! 

 

 

My vet told me when they start to leak is the best time to put them down because they will be in pain afterward. What can you tell me about that. My dog is in the early stages and still has control of his urine but they told me it wouldn't be long until he will not be able to control the bloody leaks. Angela

 

On 7/29/2008 Netangel334 wrote:

My vet told me when they start to leak is the best time to put them down because they will be in pain afterward. What can you tell me about that. My dog is in the early stages and still has control of his urine but they told me it wouldn't be long until he will not be able to control the bloody leaks. Angela

 

My springer spaniel WILLIE developed TCC ...prostate cancer and bladder cancer.  Diagnosed in Dec 2007, he went on regimen of NSAID Piroxicam (with antacid) daily along with every-3-weeks for chemo (Mitoxantrone) and daily Chloramphemicol (antibiotic).   As of June, prostate reduced from 2.9cm to 2.3 cm.  Bladder wall thickness down to normal range and not sign of tumors.   However, in July prostate started enlarging again...back to 3.2cm ...blood in stool and started urinating into his diaper wrap.  He is now on Baytril, which cleared up blood in stool and started new chemo treatment (don't recall the name just now) as replacement for the Mitoxantrone.   His appetite is still fine.  No major side effects except for soft stool and some strain/difficulty defecating.   Will have ultrastound in another 3 weeks to see if it has reduced size of prostate.

Return visit to the vet with Willie was bad news.   The new chemo treatments have had no positive effect.   The prostate continues to enlarge---so the chemotherapy has been discontinued.  For the past 3 weeks, he has clinical signs --- straining to pee and poop.    He is a sorry sight doing his "squat walk" in the yard...taking about 5 minutes and numerous attempts to complete his business.    The only remaining course of action the vet suggests is radiation therapy.  However, it is a daily regimen for 4 weeks---and I can find no literature showing any major success rate.   And I would have to board willie for the month at the cancer center.   At 11 1/2 yrs old, I think he's been through enough with the chemo treatments.     My goal is to make his remaining months as comfortable as possible.   Apart from the straining to pee/poop, he appears normal and happy in every other way --- eating OK, playing, enjoying time outside.   He does, however, have to go out to eliminate about every 3 hours.  And I do leave on a "cummerbund-type" wrap (with a "depends" liner)....because he will void in the house if he needs to (and the diaper is a better place to catch those accidents than my rugs).   

 

 

 

 

 

On 5/2/2007 Texascyndyb wrote:

Our scottie boy Max was diagnosed in March 2006 with TCC.  We're so grateful that he's still doing quite well!!  Piroxicam has worked very well for him and with no negative side effects.  We recently moved from AZ to TX and were so glad he could come with us.  We have a large, fenced back yard and he is SO happy to be out there!  He wasn't too thrilled with the desert....but just loves the green, green grass.  He loves rolling in it, and running through it after the squirrels! 

 My question:  can anyone offer tips on how they dealt with, or are now dealing with, the incontinence?  I tried the doggie diapers and just couldn't get them on because it freaked him out so badly.  Up to now, it wasn't a huge issue, just alot of clean ups.  For the past few days, however, he's having almost continuous accidents, and the smell is worse.  My husband gave him a bath this morning and within minutes, he smelled again.  It's more sour, or something, than regular urine.

We have spoiled Max and his brother Gus, and they have always had run of the house and furniture.  That is now becoming very stressful.  We don't want the furniture ruined.  But we don't want to add to Max' stress either.  ( we won't discuss my stress! :) )

 Sorry this is so long.  I know I'm babbling.  Just hope someone has some practical suggestions.  As far as the stress and grief, we're handling that ok for the most part.  Of course, it's easy to say that while he's still with us.  Mostly, I think we're ok because he's been with us so much longer than we thought.  It originally sounded like it would be 2-3 months, so we are blessed!!

Thanks for any advice!!

 

For my male dog with urinary incontinence I made some belly bands.   Think formal cumberbund for a man and you'll get the idea.   Took some sturdy cotton and sewed it in a tube, turned it right side out to be rectangle about 4-5 inches wide and hemmed the ends to be about 4 inches longer than his waist diameter.   Put strong velcro on the ends (one type on top of one end, other type on bottom of the other end) so it would overlap on his back.

 He knows the command "Scout, Diaper" and will stand still with his tail toward us.   Take a very small (size 1 for my 18-20 lb guy) human baby diaper, place over his boy parts (you can feel if in the right place) and wrap the band around his back.  Then give a biscuit and a pet.   To place or remove takes about 5 seconds and he doesn't seem to mind it.    Sure saved our carpet and furniture!

 Good luck.   There's a belly band sold at Target if you want to see online.   Putting the little baby diaper makes it work well.     thanks, Sue

My Cocker Spaniel, Saydie was diagnosed with transitional cell and epithelial cell bladder cancer August 2008 after treating for UTI  and crystals.  The microscopic blood never went away.  We did a cystocentesis to confirm the pathology from the first urine sample.  We started her on Pyroxicam and Amoxicillin.  She is doing fairly well and just turned 11 on Jan. 5th.  She will have occassional incontinence and does have the frequent squating in the yard an does have the blood in the urine at times.  Her immune system is also affecting her skin and she has frequent breakouts of pyodermas and then the Amoxicillin has to be stopped and started on Keflex for the skin.  I switcher her to Pro Plan dog food for sensitive stomach and skin and boosts the immune system and so far tolerating ok.  For the incontinence and to give her continued freedom in the house, I have washable doggie diapers that I ordered from JB Wholesale.  She didn't like at first, but with increased use she has adjusted and I just call them her pants and she comes and stands and waits for me to put them on.  there is a hole for the tail and attaches with velcro to the back.  When I am home I purchased washable waterproof mattress covers and cut them to fit the chair and over my throw rugs.  She does love to sleep and she wants to be more in my lap and cuddles with my younger Cocker Casydie, it will be hard on her when Saydie is gone as it will be on me.  My goal is to keep her comfortable, so watching for any signs of changes.