Canine Bladder Cancer (tcc)

My wife and I were recently crushed with the news that our Peabody (8 yrs,.) has bladder cancer (the tumor is 5 cm x 2 cm). We been reading the message boards and notice many similarities with Ryles. We have opted on Piroxicam, as we don't see anything useful in surgery. We have to wait two days for the Piroxicam to be compounded, so we are a bit anxious.

We also have been looking at Graviola, but are unsure about the dosage or the safety of combining it with Piroxicam. In any case, we are doing all we can to help our beloved pet and are hopeful that sharing information on these message boards can add precious time and comfort in our dog's life. Can anybody using these meds update the progress? Thank you.

Hi Brian .... See message #42 by Nannyno. She
has wonderful advice on Graviola and where to
order it. The website www.allvita.net gives
advice on dosage. I don't believe she is
combining Graviola with Piroxicam however.

Is anyone else using Piroxicam with Graviola? We
started Ryle on Graviola Saturday. He is 45lbs
and we are giving him 28 drops. Like everyone
else, we are trying to do what we can to ease
his pain and give him quality time. Best wishes,
Ryle's Mom, Shele

Thanks, Shele--we really appreciate the message. We also hope that Ryle feels better and that the Graviola will give him the chance that he deserves. We certainly know how you and others feel about innocent pets.

We will start Piroxicam tomorrow, and are hoping the best for Peabody. We just ordered Graviola as backup if and when the Piroxicam fails. (The pharmacist mentioned that some of the pets have lasted up to two years--although satellite tumors appear after the original shrinks.)

It's is such a battle for us, especially since our entire condo complex is sprayed frequently with lawn herbicides--a deadly threat to Scotties. In any case, we don't want to tax Peabody's system with too much at one time so we'll hope that the Piroxicam is effective alone. Thankfully, the pharmacist has been an unexpected and tremendous help during such a horrible experience.

Brian and Ronni

The cancer specialist from the vet hospital put my dog on Metacam (another NSAID) instead of the Piroxicam for TCC as it is milder and has less side effects. My 14-yr. old dog seems fine with it and is even perkier than usual.

The holistic vet also prescribed the following supplements to combat the cancer (Poochie's 11 lbs.): IP 6 250 mg, vitamin C with Bioflavanoids 250 mg, vitamin B complex 25 mg, omega 3 salmon and fish oils 500 mg, reishi mushroom 50 mg, maitake mushroom 50 mg, shiitake mushroom 50 mg, and cranberry extract 1 ml (2 weeks on and 2 weeks off). All supplements are taken twice a day except for IP 6 (once a day on an empty stomach). Be forewarned that the dog's stools are very soft due to the omega 3 capsules! The vet tells us the most important supplements to combat the cancer are the mushrooms and omega 3 capsules.

Now, Poochie drinks only distilled water (studies indicate that flouride causes canine bladder cancer) and consumes organic food. The vet has provided us with homemade recipes (25% high quality protein, 25% vegetables and 50% carbs) for Poochie's kidney disease (beginning stage) and cancer.

Hope this helps! Poochie goes back to the vet's for an ultrasound in 2 weeks to check on the tumour. Will let you know if the supplements, Metacam and the new diet have made a difference.

Cheers,
Pip

Hi. I have been "watching" this board since I found it last week. My faithful boy Howie was
diagnosed last week. He is a 10 1/2 y/o Beagle,
Terrier mix that I have had since he was 5 weeks.

Howie's TCC is inoperable, so we began with
Piroxicam, love, research, and a faith cup which seems oh so not full enough.

I have ordered the Graviola, and will use that in addition to the Piroxicam. SO MUCH info out there. For as many times I find a GOOD reference,
I also find a BAD one.

One I found, with no mention of here is a product called Transfer Factor. Anyone have
any news, stories, experiences?

Howie goes pee fine his first time out. Then 30 seconds later he is "trying" again. Then another 30 secs, etc. This usually is either nothing, or the dreaded "bloody drops". Hoping this clears when the secondary Bladder infection is under control.

Please feel free to contact with anything you don't wish to post... I am praying for you all,
as I hope you will for Howie.

Thanks.... Howie's Dad

Hi again. Below is the link to a website I found particularly helpful as I scoured the Internet for "answers".

http://www.biochem.wustl.edu/~sydney/rennie.html

Maybe this can help you with a few answers as well.

Howie's Dad

Mike, we found a Holistic Veternarian who
immediately put our dog on Transfer Factor. We
buy it directly from him. I believe it helps
their immune system. This is what our vet
recommended: Transfer Factor Advanced Formula,
Stasis in the Lower Palace (Chinese Herbs),
Curcumin 97 (regulates cellular inflammation),
CAS Options (immune antioxidant). We also have
him on CO-Q10 (60mg twice a day), Nordic
Naturals Omega 3 Fish Oil (twice a day), and
Tramaleen for pain (we take this too!) Ryle has
been on Piroxicam every other day for a month
and we just started adding Graviola. Our vet
strongly supports CO-Q10, the Omega 3 Fish Oils
and the mushroom mixture (which is mentioned
above, not sure which one it is) ––– same thing
Pip mentions in her message above yours. Like
Howie, Ryle’s cancer is inoperable. Ryle has the
same pattern of urination as Howie, but I do see
improvement with the Piroxicam. And, like you,
are hanging on with hope and prayers. I have you
and Howie in my prayers, along with the others.
Please contact me anytime. Ryle's Mom, Shele.

This might sound funny but Gandalf seems overly sensitive to touch... He has become ticklish!!!! has any other puppy been experienced this? Otherwise he is doing great. I hate to take him off of any of the meds he's been on... This is just been a nightmare. If he didn't have this cancer I wouldn't worry about it,but now I'm wondering if the tumor is growing, is it inflamed... or are the meds just making him ticklish..if anyone has any experience with this please let me know..
Gandalf's Mom Pam

Hey there,
I read your message and it sounds like My wife and I are going through the exact same thing you have been. Our 3 yr old Lab had been straining to urinate. We took her to her Doc, he treated it like a UTI, and gave her Baytril. Four days later, no change in urination. I took her for a second opinion, which resulted in wondering what is causing Madison's symptoms. I was referred to a specialist. The second opinion Doc took a TCC test, which came back positive. We are both shocked. A 3 year old very healthy Lab! What the heck, isint this supposed to be reserved for older doggys? Like you, We are amazed at how healthy Maddy seems. Now what, I am waiting to talk to the Oncologist later today. Does this sound like your situation?

I am so sorry to hear about Madison. I thought this was a older doggie thing also.. What did your oncologist say? With Gandalf the only symptom he had was blood in his urine..When we found out he had Tcc and that it was terminal we didn't believe the doctor. My husband still thinks he was misdiagnosed. But Gandalf is 13 next month..He is my love and I will do anything for him. I don't know what the outcome will be for a 13 year old dog let along a 3 year old dog. Our doctor wanted to do tests and this med and that med, we choose to keep him happy and healthy without anything evasive and he seems to be doing wonderfully.. Who really knows what works.. Maybe its just their love for us that keeps them going...Please keep us posted..
Gandalf's Mom Pam