My dog has been diagnosed with a large tumor in her bladder. Surgery will not help and the alternative is chemo. Without the chemo she could last 3-6 months. I’m frightened that the medicine will have many terrible side-effects. I love her and don’t want to see her suffer and I’d like to have her with me as long as I can, but I’m not convinced that chemo will be worth it to her quality of life. What would you do if you were me?
Thank You
Every animal responds differently to chemo therapy. Some have no issues and others are very ill. I have had one patient with bladder cancer that lived two healthy years on chemo with no side effects. If you try one dose of chemo and your dog reacts poorly guess what? YOU DON’T HAVE TO CONTINUE. So try one dose and see what happens.
Karen Thomas, DVM
Karen Thomas, DVM
Riverdale, GA
what kind of “chemo” do you mean?
most chemo for TCC is an NSAID
Phillip McHugh, DVM
Park Veterinary Hospital
Durham, NC
Bladder tumors are most frequently caused by chemicals in the dog food, and sniffing lawns (especially golf courses) that have contain fertilizers, weed killers, etc.
Piroxicam (the chemo agent) plus medicinal mushrooms such as in the product CAS Options will prolong life and quality and slow down tumor growth……..but the earlier you start the better they work.
Ihor Basko, DVM
All Creatures Great & Small
Kapaa, HI
Most bladder tumors are transitional cell carcinomas (TCC). If they are not in an area that can be surgically resected, they are not curable. But a simple medication called Piroxicam (Feldene) usually helps dramatically by decreasing pain and bladder cramping and slowing tumor growth. This is a simple anti-inflammatory medication and not a “heavy-duty” chemo drug. I use it in my patients and did in my own previous dog with excellent results and have never seen anyone not happy with it. You may delay severe bleeding/urinary blood loss anemia, keep your dog comfortable and seeming normal, and often get much more time than you expect. If that’s the drug they are recommending, don’t be afraid of it! It may also have mild effects on relieving arthritic pain, so they generally feel great while on it!
I am not an oncologist but have not heard much positive on chemo effectiveness for this kind of tumor. Unless an oncologist had some really good statistics on cure of this by chemo, I’d not bother with it. But don’t turn down chemo for the reason of fear of side effects–dogs typically don’t have the horrendous side effects humans do to chemo treatments. One of my own dogs had chemo treatments and she was completely her own normal, happy, high-energy self–the only side effects were things that could only be found on bloodwork. You may choose not to do chemo for other reasons (cost, poor likelihood of cure, intensity of chemo schedule appointments, etc.) but don’t turn it down over fear of side effects, because that is rarely an issue in dogs!
Melinda R. Burgwardt, DVM
Melinda R. Burgwardt, DVM
Lancaster, NY
Bladder tumors are usually Transitional cell carcinomas (TCC). The chemotherapy they are treated with usually has almost no side effects at all! It is an anti-inflammatory agent, closely related to pain killing non-steroidal anti-inflammatories. I recently put an elderly dog patient on the treatment. In a month the owner was so excited, not only in the reduction of symptoms, but because the dog was happier and more playful than she had been in two years! I strongly encourage you to go ahead with the treatment. It should be fairly inexpensive and greatly improve the quality of life, at least for awhile, and some times for long periods of time..
Mack L. Barney, DVM
Barney & Russum Animal Clinic
Fairfield, CA
Consider seeing a homeopathic veterinarian. Go to http://www.theavh.org to find someone in your area and read a bit more about homeopathy, a gentle but often powerful healing modality. I treat only cats, so cannot help you personally, but most of my homeopathic colleagues treat dogs and cats. Good luck.
Andrea Tasi, DVM
Just Cats, Naturally
Fairfax Station, VA
Chemo is usually not effective for large tumors, unless they are lymphosarcoma. It is more often used after surgical debulking. The antiinflammatory Piroxicam has been useful for pallation.
Steven Immerblum, DVM
Veterinary Care Center at Goldens Bridge
Goldens Bridge, NY
I have a 16 pound 13 year old bichon that was just diagnosed yesterday and the vet prescribed piroxicam (1/4 once a day) however I have been told by the pharmacies that it only comes in capsules? Any advice?
Kim,
My dog was diagnosed yesterday. He’s about 15 lbs. His medication also comes only in larger doses in capsule form, so she’s looking into having it compounded. I won’t know more until Monday about how the compounding will affect the cost, but am going forward with it anyway. Hope this helps.
Jenni
My baby is 8 yr. Old blldog pitbull and he bleeds from his penis what should I I think it is a bladder tumor were 75 percent sure of that please help me what can I do for my baby ?
Also at the very top of the scrotum there is a growth .when I squeezed it blood squirted out of his penis.I have tried 2 different types of antibiotics but they didn’t help.any advice? Gerald…
Kim,
Today we picked up a compounded dose of piroxicam (just means customized dose for your dog). Not scary-expensive at all.
No bleeding but potty break every 2-3 hours all night long. DVM says this should help; I hope our dog can get some rest finally (and us too although we don’t mind at all).
My 12 yr old dachshund was recently diagnosed with a large tumor, benign, in the middle of her bladder. She had lots of red blood when she urinated, drinks and pees excessive amounts of water. My vet put her on piroxicam and Onco powder (a vitamin supplement to boost her immune system) It has been two weeks and she is feeling better. Blood in urine is almost all gone. She goes back tomorrow for another ultra sound to see if the tumor has shrunken any. I don’t think at her age I will put her through the surgery. Maybe she will continue to do well with the treatment we are pursuing.
Our vet found masses in my 10-yr old Golden Retriever’s spleen and bladder, and I am numbed and very scared right now. I’m waiting impatiently for the vet to call me so we can schedule removal surgery of both masses which the internist and our specialist both recommended. I am so very scared right now on what else they are going to find out.
Can someone please tell me that things are going to be ok? My stomach is in knots from being so nervous.
Hello,
My 12-year-old yellow lab mix was just diagnosed with bladder tumor (TCC). Can you please advise the best treatment plan when surgery is not an option?
Thank you.