Hi,

Like most people, I think, I found this site while trying to find information/ help for a recently diagnosed problem in my pet. My 11 year old dog, Sadie, was just diagnosed with transitional cell carcinoma. Findng the tumor was a complete accident (she went in for something else and it showed up on the ultrasound) and at the moment she seems to be asymptomatic (i.e. no difficulty urinating, no blood in the urine, standard activity and appetite, etc). I know that this is an agressive cancer and that the average life span after diagnosis tends to be 6 mos. with only a few dogs making it to a year. My vet recommended putting her on piroxicam, and after she consulted with the other members of her practice and an oncologist she's also suggesting chemo. Most of the info. that I found on my own suggested that chemo often only helps with symptoms and doesn't really do much in terms of actual treatment; however the vets seem to think that given that the tumor was caught so early the piroxicam in conjunction with chemo could significantly improve her prognosis (we're not talking anything miraculous, but they suggested a year to 15 mos. was reasonable to expect).

I know that every case is unique and that a prognosis is at best a guess, not a guarantee, but I was wondering if anyone has experience with this and has tried chemo and what types of results you had. Sadie hates riding in the car and going to the vet, and chemo woud be every three weeks for six courses, which is a lot of stress for her if it's not going to help. Plus, I'm an adjunct college instructor and while I will do everything I can for her, after bloodwork, x-rays, an ultrasound, and surgery I'm financially tapped and while I will scrounge up the money for the chemo if it could possibly help, if it's not going to do anything I'd rather save Sadie the stress, and me the financial strain, and spend the time and money on things that I know will make her happy even if they aren't going to extend her life (quality over quantity). I want to believe that the chemo could do something, but I'm afraid that I'm holding on to an unrealistic hope. I told my vet that I'd let her know what I decide on Wed. (Sadie goes in then to have her sutures and staples removed).

Any stories and experiences people could share would be a great help-- even if only to let me know that there are others out there who've been through this.

I did a little poking around and found some interesting reading that may help you get started on your research.

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_trans..._carcinoma.html
http://www.vet.uga.edu/vpp/clerk/FROST/Index.htm
http://www.biochem.wustl.edu/~sydney/rennie.html

While I was digging around, this site kept popping up in various articles I read. I don't know if this stuff can really help or not. They say it's fine to give to any dog for an immune system boost.

http://www.alohamedicinals.com/pet.htm

I'm so sorry this awful disease has come into your life. I truly hope you've discovered Sadie's condition in time and that she responds well to whatever treatment program you decide on. Did the vet give you any idea what stage the TCC is in?

Please be sure to keep us posted on Sadie's condition and what you decide to do for her. Everyone here is truly concerned about the wellbeing of all furries.

Best of luck in the days and months to come,
Tim



** I'm not any sort of medical or veterinary professional, and I strongly recommend that you consult one or more licensed veterinarians before trying any treatments or "remedies".

Thanks for the concern and the links. I've decided to try the chemo for a session or two to see how Sadie does and then decide if it's worth it to go the full course. Right now the main concern is that she's started to vomit and defecate blood as a result of the piroxicam. The vet is going to prescribe something to try to protect her GI tract from the effects of the med. They caught the cancer early enough that there's a good chance that the prognosis may be for a year, but given how agressive it is that may be optimistic. Especially if it turns out that she can't stay on the piroxicam. At that point I think it's down to 6 mos. at the best. It's not an easy thing-- I wish I knew what she wanted me to do, or not do, for her.

Good luck, let us know how you get on.

Love Sue

She's now anemic enough that a blood transfusion is necessary. They also found a new mass this morning. Even if they manage to stabilize her the mass will have to be dealt with, and if it's contributing to the bleeding then a transfusion isn't going to help. I'm afraid that she's not going to come home.

I found out this morning that the transfusion didn't work and her blood count had dropped again. Since it wasn't the piroxicam, at least alone, causing the bleeding the only way to figure out what was bleeding would have been surgery. But the only way to operate was if her blood count was higher. The only alternative left was to put her to sleep; so I went in and said my good byes and rubbed her stomach while she died. This is possibly the hardest thing I've ever had to do/ get through.

I don't know what decision you have made by now but I work for an Oncologist and any treatment as you know will be palliative, not curative. Do you know the side effects from the chemo? Sometimes these can be very toxic and the treatment is not worth the extended time especially if quality if compromised. Knowing what I do about Cancer and this type if it were my pet, I would treat with "comforting" measures and pain control only. If the treatment were curative that would be a different matter. I'm sorry to be so clinical here. Give your pet quality. As you know chemo destroys healthy cells as well. In my experience, when palliative, unless it's a less toxic drug they use - and considering the age - I would not put my pet through it. Take care and advise how things worked out.

Oh no. I am so sorry for your loss. How hopeless that must have felt. Please try to take comfort in knowing you did everything you could and you eased her out of this life with love and dignity.

I believe in an afterlife for pets--maybe it's not the Rainbow Bridge or whatever but their spirits, that energy and goodness, doesn't simply extingish when the physical body passes away. Please hold on to that and know she is in your heart for the rest of your days. She is forever a part of the good and the light in the world.