Lucy the Beagle update

So far, Lucy seems to be doing well. She is moving well, appetite is great, no side effects from medications. She is following me around the house and going outside, barking like a beagle. Only new symptom started today is her urine is a brownish tinged bloody color. What now?? Is this the normal path until the end, is this a UTI again that the vet should treat? Is the end coming fast?? She never had this symptom before and I don't know what to expect. The vet did say 3 weeks ago that Lucy would only have 2 months at least, so is this the end coming or have your dogs bled and then lived awhile longer?? Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for all for your messages. (Lucy is my 13 year old Beagle )

Cindy

My dog's situation with tcc is different because her tumors were removed, but I have read numerous posts by people whose dogs have bloody urine and have had it for some time. I doubt it is the end for Lucy. The eventual problem will more likely be blockage and inability to urinate. Since bloody urine is a symptom of uti, I would have that checked out as tcc dogs are more prone to uti.

Hi, actually, it was more of a brownish urine, not bright red blood. But, that's gone now. It was only one day, it was on her dog diaper pads for the day. I called the vet, they wanted me to bring in a urine sample for UTI. Now that's its gone, I didn't and the vet said that was OK. She is holding her urine so much better. At first I was scared that she was blocked because her diapers were soaked along with her blankets everyday, all day, and now only a little in the morning. So, I've been following her outside and I put something under her when she goes and she's going plenty and no blood. She's holding it, no dribbling in the house right now, no straining outside. Dare I hope the meds are helping her, at lease giving me a few more weeks with her?? Anyway, right now she is herself, eating, bright, as active as any overweight 13 year old beagle can be and barking and licking me as much as she can. Thanks for your message.

Glad to hear good news. When deciding on just piroxicam vs. surgery our vet said that she sucessfully maintained dogs on piroxicam up to a year. She said that usually what happens is there is a blockage that causes uremic poisoning as the urine backs up or the incontinence is so bad that the owners can't manage it and give up. Good luck. Maybe she has quite a few months yet.

Thanks Spanielmom for posting. I will never give up due to incontinence. I continue to buy the dog pads, and wash her bedding everyday. Washing the floors ect. That doesn't and won't bother me. ( being a nurse, I am used to doing that for my patients ). However, when her quality of life starts to diminish and with Lucy, that will be her appetite.......lol.........I will have a very hard decision to make. I don't even want to think about it today. As someone on here said before, I don't cry now, because I don't have to yet, but the day I do, I know it will be for a long time. I am enjoying her every move and bark right now........and hope to for a few more weeks, hopefully months...........thanks all for caring. Will keep you updated.

Hi Cindy--

I remember the first time I saw blood in Annie's urine; I was positive the end was near. There are so many things about this disease that can freak you out--and having that poor prognosis hanging over your head is very tough.

That's why I try to encourage everyone (myself included) to stay optimistic and try not to worry.  Since Annie's been diagnosed, her symptoms have come and gone; some vanish some new ones come along.  Recently she had an accident in the house and it was that brownish blood color.  I had never seen it before and was definitely taken aback by it. But it only happened that one time. 

I used to say that the day her appetite  vanished, I'd know the end was at hand--but a couple of months ago, she had some stomach problem (totally unrelated to the TCC) and didn't eat for several days; we treated her for that and were good to go again.

The more I am worried about Annie, the happier I make my voice when I talk to her and when I'm rewarded by that wagging tail, I always feel so much better. 

Good luck to you.

Marty