Shepherd facing possible TCC diagnosis

Hello

 I have been reading through dozens of your posts, and just knowing this forum is available has been such a comfort.  I have a beautiful 6 year-old shepherd/border collie cross named Haley who is showing the classic signs of bladder cancer.  She is urinating over 10 times when we go for long walks, and after the first urination subsequent tries yield only small amounts of blood.  It must be incredibly uncomfortable, but she seems as happy as normal and doesn't wimper or strain when she evacuates.  As with so many of you, my vet and I were sure it was a simple UTI, and only after trying 3 different classes of antibiotics did the reality sink in that it would not be an easy fix.  Haley's urinalysis showed no crystals, and her culture came back negative.  After the vet called with her test results I was absolutely devestated, but I realize that worrying and being upset will only keep me from enjoying more time with her.

 I am wondering if anyone's animal has shown symptoms like these, and if so how quickly did the disease progress?  I am taking Haley in for blood tests tomorrow to rule out any kidney problems, but she drinks a normal amount of water and her urine is not dilluted.  So it seems to me the only diagnosis left that makes sense is TCC.  If her blood work comes back normal, I am thinking of requesting the V-BAT bladder screening as I am a college student and cannot afford costly imaging tests right now.  Any advise for how to proceed would be so greatly appreciated.  I rescued Haley about 5 years ago from a shelter, she was abused and shy, and I have been able to turn her into the most loving, trusting, loyal companion, and I owe it to her to make her as comfortable as possible.

-haley's dad 

We are almost a year into our tcc battle. The prognosis of the disease depends a lot on the tumor location. If the tumor is not near the ureters or bladder sphincter it can grow quite large and take at least a year to several years to become terminal. Only 10 percent of tcc is like this though. The rest are near the ureters or sphincter area and blockage of the openings to the bladder are at risk of becoming blocked within 6 month to a year. If you can't afford the ultrasound, you won't know where they are, but if they were in the center of the bladder it sounds like the surgery would be out of the question too. You should at least try piroxicam. Its not expensive and will work to slow the tumor growth. We also use a veterinary product calledBladder Strength. It does nothing for the cancer, but greatly improves the functioning of the bladder. Even after my dogs tumors were removed, she still had the frequent urination, straining, incontinence until we started Bladder Strength.within a month her bladder function was normal. Its around$50 for a 45 day supply. Good luck.

Hi Haley's Dad!

I am sorry to hear about your beautiful pal.  She is lucky to have you!  You are already doing the only thing I tell people on this board to do--and that is to enjoy every minute that you have with Haley!!

Lately,more so  than before, I have noticed people suggesting many different type of medical ideas to battle TCC--and they seem to have positive results.

I can only tell you what we have been doing and how it has worked so far. My Annie was diagnosed nearly four years ago now and the only treatment she has had is piroxicam--5mgs a day.  I know we caught the cancer early on as it was found when she was having surgery for a different, unrelated cancer.

Through the years, Annie has had MANY different symptoms--very little urine output, blood in the urine, etc etc.  She does see a oncologist, but for the past few months, we have only talked on the phone.  Right now it looks as if Annie has some type of bladder infection as the blood in her urine is substantial--but goes away when she is on the antibiotics.

Annie has been resourceful and comes up with different positions in which to pee and this seems to help her tremendously.  For a while, she had the "pointer" position--she sort of stood upright and stretched herself out and was able to pee that way.

We have been very, very lucky and blessed (for the past three years, I make sure we pray every night for her). I hope with all my heart that you and your Haley are fortunate to have that same luck as you battle this disease.

Best regards,

Marty & Gentle Annie

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi there...the symptoms you describe are just what my Lab showed this summer, 6 months after his diagnosis. An increase in his antibiotics helped clear his urine until last month, when his urine output decreased and the blood in his urine increased. At that point an ultrasound showed the tumor had begun to block his urethra. We had to have him catheterized to empty his bladder and found out that the tumor was hemorrhaging. That was when we knew it was time to let him go.

However, up until then he had all the symptoms you describe. It is alarming to see blood in your pet's urine but it is amazing how our dogs manage this disease. Po never complained even though walks turned into a dance of squats every ten feet.  

 I do think the ultrasound was valueable in helping us decide what to do. If we hadn't found out how the tumor had grown we may have ended up euthanizing him in a crisis situation. SInce he HATED the vet, it was a blessing to be able to name the day and have him die peacefully at home and in my arms.

I wish you the best.