Canine Bladder Cancer -- Study At Purdue/Minn

Hello -- my Westie Tigger was diagnosed at the end of March.  She's on Piroxicam (nothing for her tummy and no problems there) only, although we did switch to low-carb/high-protein food.  We went in for another ultrasound at the end of June.  The tumor has grown, but luckily it has not grown in the "bad" direction, so no blockage.

 Tigs does urinate longer than "normal", but in most ways her symptoms have abated so the oncologist is pleased so far.

 Anyway -- my main reason for this post is to let people know about a TCC study that is being done at Purdue University & the Univ. of Minnesota in conjunction with NIH.  I learned about this study shortly after Tigs was diagnosed.

 They are looking for blood samples from Westies, Scotties & Beagles.  They need samples from all dogs with a diagnosis of TCC. In addition, they seek DNA from dogs over the age of five who currently have no known cancers.  Since I have one of each (my 12-year-old is in great shape for her age) I contacted them and they sent kits for samples from both.  I know it won't help Tigger, but I can only hope that we can help another pupper in the future...a goal of the study is to find what they need to develop a test for TCC.

I don't know about any other vets, but my vet drew the samples at no cost to me. 

Here's the link in case anyone in interested in participating: http://www.westieclubamerica.com/health/bladdercancerstudy.h

On 8/9/2007 Tiggers Mom wrote:

Hello -- my Westie Tigger was diagnosed at the end of March.  She's on Piroxicam (nothing for her tummy and no problems there) only, although we did switch to low-carb/high-protein food.  We went in for another ultrasound at the end of June.  The tumor has grown, but luckily it has not grown in the "bad" direction, so no blockage.

 Tigs does urinate longer than "normal", but in most ways her symptoms have abated so the oncologist is pleased so far.

 Anyway -- my main reason for this post is to let people know about a TCC study that is being done at Purdue University & the Univ. of Minnesota in conjunction with NIH.  I learned about this study shortly after Tigs was diagnosed.

 They are looking for blood samples from Westies, Scotties & Beagles.  They need samples from all dogs with a diagnosis of TCC. In addition, they seek DNA from dogs over the age of five who currently have no known cancers.  Since I have one of each (my 12-year-old is in great shape for her age) I contacted them and they sent kits for samples from both.  I know it won't help Tigger, but I can only hope that we can help another pupper in the future...a goal of the study is to find what they need to develop a test for TCC.

I don't know about any other vets, but my vet drew the samples at no cost to me. 

Here's the link in case anyone in interested in participating: http://www.westieclubamerica.com/health/bladdercancerstudy.h

 Thanks so much for the recommendation. A sample of Annie's blood went off yesterday and should be at the NIH by Monday (my vet charged me nine dollars, but I'm more than happy to pay it)

What ever good comes from this study (and the researchers seem optimistic) will be too late for my Annie, as well.  We can have high hopes that it will help others, both furry and human, so I urge anyone who can, to contact them and help in this important research study.

Marty 

Thank you for sending a sample, Marty!  As you said, it won't help our furbabies, but if it keeps someone else from having to go through this in the future it's worth it.

 Sara