I can't believe I found this board. Isn't the internet a constantly amazing thing?
Today our 9yo beagle boy, Divot, was diagnosed with bladder cancer. Actually, it's not 100%, but there is a large ("several cm") tumor in his bladder. He had mast cell cancer on his hind leg about 5 years ago, so the vet feels that it is either the mast cell returning or TCC. He said there is a miniscule chance of it being a benign tumor, but since Divot's spleen is also enlarged, he seriously doubts it.
So we now have to talk to an oncology specialist. But even with the chemo, the vet said the odds were that Divot wouldn't make it to Christmas. Without it??? So we thought it was over. And then I found you.
Who would have thought there would be this place for such a "rare" type of cancer in dogs?
Div is peeing a lot in the house. We haven't noticed blood in his urine at all yet, but except for his accidents how would I ever know? He is already doing the thing where it takes him forever to go and it just drips at the end. So far he can make it through the night, but then other times during the day he goes and 5 minutes later he has an accident.
The one thing I don't know how to help him with is that he doesn't always seem to know when it is coming out. If he woke me up or "asked" to go out, of course I wouldn't mind. But sometimes he just pees and doesn't even seem to notice. Poor boy.
The only good thing is that the vet said that he doesn't know he's sick, and that he is in no pain. He still can go for long walks and loves to play. He bays at the neighbors' dogs and kids and squirrels and leaves blowing by. He chases chipmunks and birds and shadows. So he's not hurting. Our vet (whom I adore) said when he quits eating, then we'll talk. Until then, spoil him and love on him and see what the oncologist says.
What a crappy day. Thanks for listening.