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The best way I know to describe him is withdrawn.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! 

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

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).