I just found this message board. On 9-26-05 our 12 year old female corgi was diagnosed with terminal bladder cancer. Like many of you it was in an area by her urethra and inoperable. Since she was diagnosed with an auto immune disorder a few years back our vet suggested against chemo. We put her on the Piroxicam and within 24 hours saw great results. No more accidents and no more straining. Her appetite has not been good. It took 2 months to find out what was wrong, numerous blood tests, urine cultures, urine tests. Everything came back normal. Then we went to a specialist and were shocked at the diagnosis. Last week she went completely off food. We thought maybe a UTI since we had heard that is very common in dogs with bladder cancer. The vet found billiruben in her urine (first time they found anything unusual) - did blood work as the vet suspected her pancreas was being effected. To everyone's surprise she came back with liver failure. Normal liver function is 151 and Mollys was well over 4000. We have taken her off the Piroxicam as we didn't know if that set off her immune disorder. Her appetite is coming back but we are scared to death like the most of you - does the cancer get her first or the liver failure. I'm interested in the Graviola. Has anyone else had problems with liver problems while on the Piroxicam? By the way - Lori - read your post and I'm in tears as well. Since learning that our beatiful little girl is cursed with this disease there isn't a day that goes by without tears.
Thanks,
Sheryl & Molly