CancerCompass message board discussion started by Sienna on 3/9/2007 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,10214,0.htm Sun, 07 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT Sun, 07 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ Socks (11 year old LabX) was diagnosed with TCC of the bladder in November 2006. He is on Piroxicam and Losec (for his tummy). I tried him on Graviola, but he did not like it at all - even in small, disguised doses, so I've stopped that.He has a prostatic cyst in addition to the cancer, so he is very prone to urinary infections. I noticed early on that antibiotics made a great difference to his well-being. When on a full dose for his weight his frequency and urgency are significantly reduced, there is no frank blood in his urine and his life-affirming interest in his food is back. So, my vet is keeping him on antibiotics for the forseeable future, doing regular checks for antibiotic response.It's wonderful to see the smile back on his face when it's supper-time. His diet consists of "human" food now - my fridge and larder have never been so well stocked. After 10 years of never feeding him from my plate and having him on a permanent weight management diet (he's a Lab after all), he now regularly shares everything I eat and all the restrictions are gone. He is back to getting the other three to gang up on me to demand extra bikkies. He's back to his usual tricks of running away with the phone and the remote control, and I was never so happy to find my glasses chewed to an unrecognisable mess. When he comes down to bed with me for a nap (mine) during the day, he is more likely to spend the time happily pulling the stuffing out of his bed, rather than sleeping like he used to.Because of the heavy antibiotic use, I give him acidophilus capsules and soya yogurts to protect his friendly bacteria, and I give him cranberry capsules to keep his urine acidic. He still needs to go out once or twice a night, but he is a real gentleman and never wakes the other dogs. He has the odd accident, but as soon as he can control it he goes straight to the door and is told what a wonderful fellow he is.I don't know how long I will have him, but to know that his quality of life is still good is wonderful. He will be having a repeat scan in April to see how things are progressing. I am not expecting miracles. I am just savouring every day that he smiles. Sienna Fri, 09 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT Hello...This disease is awful !  My dog too (DAISY) was diagnosed in earl December close to your doggy news with TCC.  My dog is full of life and plays, great appetitite..she was on an antibiotic which helped her too what is the one Socks is on?  WHen the two week supply was gone she was straining to get the urine out.  SO, we went back on the antibioc calledTrimethoprim...    We do not have her on peroxicam all he did was pant and we want her to be comfortable.  ALSO, we have her one DHA an agae based Omega 3 which is supposed to assist in possible shrinking the tumor. I m ix this with cottage cheese and loves it.Hope this helps and I took our advice with the cranberry and yogurt. Thanks,Sandi  Doodlebug Sun, 18 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT