Marty:
If you are still on this board, I'd appreciate some information, please. I just joined this board today because one of my Shelties was just diagnosed with TCC. Although she has had frequency of urination, I haven't noted any blood. Anyway, an ultrasound showed a mass that is filling approx. a third of her bladder. She is my oldest girl--15 1/2 yrs--so the only real option for her is the Piroxicam. So, I am grateful to have found this site for information, support, etc.
The reason I'm writing you is to ask you about your Springer. You mentioned he/she had trouble walking/getting up. Did your Springer have TCC? I'm asking because my other Sheltie--13 yrs old--has been having hind leg weakness and difficulty getting up for about 9 months. We've been through a number of different treatments (spinal arthritis, iatrogentic cushings, etc. ) for her, only to find that her problem was not caused by whatever diagnosis she had at that time. The bottom line is that we don't know the cause. I haven't opted for an MRI (at this point) for several reasons, some of which include the fact that she is deaf, almost blind, high grade heart murmur, chronic bronchitis, etc. that make her a poor candidate for anything we might find that requires surgery. I guess I'm still reaching for straws here, thinking that since you did not mention your Springer had TCC, maybe his/her problem was another diagnosis that you could share. The past two days, she has been very reluctant to rise and, when she does, takes little baby steps to avoid falling over.
I'm having a bit of a tough time staying positive, not knowing how much time either one of them has and thinking about losing both of them in the near future. Any information you could provide would be greatly appreciated! Thanks-
Holly