Tcc - Difficulty Climbing Stairs

Hello, my 16 year old beagle Joey was diagnosed with bladder cancer a month ago much to my devastation. Other than the frequent urination and blood in urine, he had been his same self. Yesterday, I noticed that he is starting to have difficulty climbing stairs. Unfortunately to get to my front door, he has to go down a flight of stairs so it is unavoidable. I am worried that this is a bad sign. Is this just a natural progression? Should I carry him up the stairs to avoid any strain on him?? It is breaking my heart because he can no longer jump on my bed and has difficulty jumping on the couch. Any input would be appreciated.

My basset/beagle mix Forrest had a degenerative spinal disease in addition to tcc, and yes he did have trouble with stairs. I don't believe that the tcc actually exacerbated the spinal disease though. Probably best to just carry him, less stress on him and more opportunities for you to hold your baby! I know it is hard to watch them struggle and not do all they could as younger dogs. But at 16, your doggie could just be slowing down some. By the way, Ultram helped Forrest with the back pain. Good luck to you. Forrests' mom.

Hi to Joey's Mom!

I'm sorry to hear about your little pal.  It is so sad to see them struggling.  Once you hear that TCC diagnosis, you tend to think EVERYTHING is related to it (at least I did!) But at 16, your boy is not as young a he used to be.  A long time ago, when one of my dogs could no longer easily get on the bed--I put a foot stool at the bottom and that solved that problem.  Ever since it has stayed there and my dogs, young and old, have used it or not as they needed.  (Sometimes when they are young, the dogs like to use it as a spring board to get better bounce and the old ones are grateful for the step up).

As for the stairs, I agree with Karen, just scoop him up and down--don't make a big deal about it and he won't be upset and you'll get two extra hugs every time you take him out.

Also, if Joey goes on Piroxicam, it's an anti inflammatory so  that might make him feel a bit perkier as well.

good luck to you

Marty