CancerCompass message board discussion started by Sue in SD on 7/18/2008 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,26218,0.htm Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ Hi!  My Westie, Willie, has just recently been diagnosed with TCC.  He had a small polyp removed from his bladder two weeks ago.  The urine test that my vet ran showed that it was not malignant so we went ahead and removed it via laparoscopy.  Unfortunately the biopsy showed a malignancy after all.  I am devastated but Willie is doing just fine after recovering from his surgery.  I have been reading this board to gather as much information as I could before beginning a piroxicam therapy for him.  If he tolerates the piroxicam, I will then consider chemotherapy to try to eradicate any remaining malignant cells.  However, I am a little confused about how to give him the piroxicam.  He will also be taking Pepcid to start with.  If that doesn't provide enough protection for his stomach & intestines we will switch to cytotec.  My vet isn't specific on when to give these meds....except to say that I should give the piroxicam with food.  The vet told me that it would be okay to give the piroxicam in the morning and the Pepcid at night (with meals).  Does this sound like a good plan?  Also, I have been reading about removing glucosamine from your dog's food when taking piroxicam.  Is there an interaction problem?  The food my Willie is used to does have glucosamine in it.  I was hoping to get him going on piroxicam before trying to switch his food to a higher protein one.  I think that it is preferable that he be eating regularly and switching foods might cause him to stop eating.  He does have a sensitive system and I hope to give him the best chance possible to tolerate the piroxicam.Many thanks for any information anyone can give me.  My heart goes out to all those who read this on behalf of their beloved dogs.  Sue in SD Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT My dog is cancer free 6 month post surgery for tcc. I will give you my opinion. Giving the coating agent- pepcid opposite the piroxicam makes no sense. I have been giving the coating agent, then food, then piroxicam. My oncologist just told me that I can give the piroxicam and pepcid together, but giving in am and pm makes no sense. Since you are not considering surgery, I presume hat the tumor is in the trigone area and thus inoperable. My dog has finished 5 months of mitoxantrone chemo. If that is an option pursue it. It was an easy chemo with no side effects and I feel is the reason she is cancer-free today. spanielmom Sun, 20 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT Thank you very much for your response!  I'm so glad to hear that your precious dog is cancer free right now!  My Westie, Willie, has had surgery to remove the polyp from his bladder.  We did not know that it was malignant until after the removal and subsequent biopsy.  The urine test done earlier showed no cancer.  The protocol that you indicated.....giving stomach protection, then food, then piroxicam is what the pharmacist who compounded Willie's piroxicam recommended.  I'm not sure why my vet suggested separating the the Pepcid and the pircoxicam.  Willie does have trouble with medications so that may be the reason.  I will decide tonight how to do this and start piroxicam in the morning.  If Willie can tolerate the piroxicam, I am considering chemotherapy for him.  I am so worried about how he will handle chemotherapy and how it will affect his life.  That decision is coming soon.  I am so happy to hear that your dog did well on the chemotherapy!  I really appreciate the information you have given me! Sue in SD Sun, 20 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT