Trixie, my 16#, approximately 8 year old terrier mix was diagnoised with cancer of the bladder and urethra on 3/7/08. She has been put on piroxicam. The Vet also suggested I think about mitoxantrone, (a type of chemo), but I am not opting for that treatment. I adopted Trixie not quite 2 years ago from a shelter. No one claimed her after being picked up as a stray. It was evident that she had recently had puppies. I had her spayed and teeth cleaned, and all the necessary shots, and she was a happy dog and enjoyed the company of my other younger dog. Last summer she seemed to have difficulty uninating. I had her to the Vet, and she had a low grade uti. She was put on medication. In the fall she was still having problems and another test was done, plus x-rays. It was thought she had bladder stones. She was put on a special food, which she hated, to dissolve the stones. She then started showing signs of blood after urinating, and it was back to the Vet again and more x-rays. It was suggested that surgery should be performed to remove the stones and check her urethra for any blockage. During surgery no stones were found, only strange growths, both in her bladder and urethra. which were biopsied. The result of which I found out yesterday, and although I was expecting it, it broke my heart. I have read so many of the messages on this site, and I sit here with tears streaming down my face. She is already not anxious to eat and I am feeding her whatever her little heart desires. I am giving her all the love I can, and making her as happy as I can. She has possibly a month, maybe longer, and I will have to make sure she is comfortable until it is time to let her go. This time I will have to go through the loss alone, as I have also lost my husband. I've been through many pet losses, and like the loss of a human family member, it never gets any easier, but it helps to talk about it.
Nonnie37