Hi Jim! Isn't it amazing how tough our little Westies are? They go through so much and still have such sweet and loving spirits. No wonder we treasure them so much! Sassy's ordeal with the ulcer sounds awful....and reminds me to be extra vigilant in watching Willie's reaction to his medications. I read your post on the "flea pill" that you had been using. Luckily that is not something that Willie and Weston (my 4 year old Westie) have ever tried. I had been using Frontline on both boys but Weston seemed allergic to it and, of course, Willie needs to have as limited an exposure to toxins as possible. That's why I settled on Sentinel last year to use for heartworm and flea prevention. It's probably not great for Willie either but we are having a terrible year for fleas. The dogs (and my indoor cats) have to have some protection from them.
I haven't ever tried to test Willie's urine for blood, except when I suspected a bladder infection about a year ago. At that time my vet said that it would be normal to find blood and transitional cells in Willie's urine because of the TCC. I'd almost be afraid to test him now....I don't visually see darker urine but that doesn't mean much with this. Even if there were blood in his urine, there would be nothing more for me to do about it. I am a little afraid to try to put him on any more medications. We are holding steady with the piroxicam (knock on wood) for now. I hate to do anything to jeopardize that.
It's so clear that you are everything you can to both prolong Sassy's life and insure that she have the best quality of life as possible. She's a lucky girl to have such great "parents"!!
Sue