Canine Bladder Cancer (tcc)

Hi SweetPea's Mommy--

The doctors might be able to determine if it truly is TCC by obtaining a urine sample and then spinning it to try and separate out any TCC cells.  Bailey was originally supposed to have a cystoscope inserted via the urethra but she had an infection at that time so they couldn't do it.  After the infection cleared up, we went back and they were able to find the cells in the urine.

As far as the neoplasene, it will usually be a holistic vet that would give it a shot.  Dr. Fox of buckmountainbotanicals.net is willing to speak with any veterinarians willing to try it.

Siena is a border collie, about 54 lbs. Much smaller than your sweet pea. (Such a cute picture you posted of her.) I don't see why it wouldn't be safe on a small dog. Just as with chemo, dosage is based on weight. I go to a regular vet at one of the large animal hospitals here in Utah. She's holistically trained, in addition to classical training. There's a search tool here, so you look in your area. http://ahvma.org/Widgets/FindVet.html

Hi Sienna's mom, They did do a V-BTA test--it came back negative. The doc said the tests were very unreliable and we couldn't trust it (which makes me wonder why exactly we did it...but we did!) :)

Hi all, I know that I haven't known you long but I thought I'd let you all know that Amber is gone.

I took her to visit my dad a few hours away from us on Friday. We had a wonderful little hike by the creek Friday morning. Amber seemed so normal and got to run like she loved to do. Then Saturday morning she was trying to pee much more often than she had been. I drove her home. When we got back to town I let her out of the car and she tried to pee but nothing was able to pass. I got my husband and we went to the vet. It was horrible. She tried to pee on their lawn, nothing, tried to pee in their lobby, nothing, in the exam room, nothing. She was whining.

We talked about putting in a stent. My understanding of the situation a few months ago was that they could put in a urinary catheter first and then the stent but the doctor said she didn't think she would be able to pass a catheter into her bladder. So it was either do the stent or have her put to sleep. I made the choice based on the fact that her lymph nodes were very enlarged and she was having a harder and harder time pooping as well. The vet thought that the stent would not have given her that much more time and that it wouldn't have been quality time.

It was the worst thing I have ever had to go through. My heart felt like it was shredded through the paper shredder. I don't know if I made the right decision or not. Now I feel that even one more day with her would have been better than this. I could hardly bare to leave her at the vet.

I did stay while they put her to sleep. It was very fast and easy. They used an anesthetic first so she was very sedate when they used the actual euthenasia drug.

She was my best friend, my baby, my everthing. I don't know what I will do without her. Life will not be the same.

Anyway, I don't know how much I will stick around, I guess most people wouldn't keep talking about cancer after their dog had passed. So, thanks for the advice, for talking and I am so sorry that all of your dogs have to go through this horrible thing.

Much love,

Claire

Claire, I'm so sorry to hear about Amber. It must be a terribly hard time for you, but how lucky you were to have all those good years together. I can tell from your posts that you are a wonderful dog owner and gave Amber lots of happy times. Take care of yourself and know that you have lots of understanding friends here. Hugs, jenn.

Claire,

I am so sorry to hear about Amber.

I know in my heart that you did all you could for Amber...and...I KNOW, without a shred of doubt, that Amber knew how much you loved her and would do everything to take care of her...even in the end.

You made the right decision...it was made out of love for Amber.  One more day for yourself was not worth having Amber have one more day of not being able to pee or be in pain.  I know in your brain you know this, but, in your heart...well that's another story.

Yes, life will not be the same.  You will remember the good times with her AND she would not want you to be sad forever.  She spent her lifetime doing her "job", keeping you safe, making you laugh and loving you without asking much in return...only your love.

Again, I am so sorry.

ChicasMom, Lynn

Dear Claire,

I'm so sorry to hear that Amber is gone. I definitely know you did the right thing for her, even through it was so terribly hard for you.  I can't imagine the loss you are feeling right now, and I am so sad when I know that someday I will have to go through this with my own dog , Rocky. 

Don't feel guilty for not staying with this site.  I probably will not stay on when something happens to Rocky since I'm pretty sure I'll find it too painful.   But please know that I will miss you and your entries, and you will remain in my thoughts and prayers as you go through the mourning process.

Lots of love,

Nita

Thank you all very much for your support. It was nice, even though short, having this place to come to for information and company.

I can't believe it happened so fast, so many other dogs have had much longer it seems.

I wish all of your dogs, and you, love and peace.

Claire

Claire, so very sorry for you. I can't believe it happened so fast. I know you did all you could for Amber. I know we are all facing this one day. So sorry yours came so soon. Will be thinking of you and please remember all of us who are still fighting this dreadful disease. Chloe's Mom Susan

Thank you so much, Chloe's mom.

I will not forget you all. I will probably end up checking back in with you guys more often than I thought I would.

How is Chloe doing?