Jude has been diagnosed with cancer.

[Christine]

I have no real advice but just wanted to add that about 10 years ago, one of my dogs had a bladder/urethral cancer. It's been so long ago and the technology different now than it was then, that I cannot remember all the particulars.

I remember going to Disney and when I got home a week later my dog (she was 10) was squatting to urinate an awful lot. We just thought it was some sort of infection but when it didn't really clear with antibiotics, we did further testing and got the bad news. Her entire urethra seemed to be totally distorted by cancer (it was not just one area). She want on a regimen that *think* was Cytotec and maybe famotidine??? I really can't remember. This gave her a LOT of relief and for awhile she did great. She went for another 6-8 months after initial diagnosis and then the meds just didn't work. I swear the cancer never really spread and she never got really ill but the urination became a severe problem and she couldn't continue on like that.

I'm really sorry to hear this. It is just so heartbreaking.

 

[agnes!]

So very very sorry about this news.

agnes!

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

I am so very sorry Dawn.

I've sent you a PM.

 

[Feralpeg]

I'm so sorry to hear this, Dawn.

 

[Scurvy]

I'm so sorry, Dawn. I'm sending good thoughts that the meds will help Jude feel better.

 

[kacaju]

I am so sorry

 

[dalt01]

best of luck.............how old is he?

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

I am so sorry to hear this Dawn.
I hope he achieves remission quickly and permanently!

 

[luvwinnie]

I am so so saddened to read this. Praying for remission for Jude.

 

[Jockaroo]

I am so sad, there aren't words. I took Jude for his ultrasound today and the vet called much quicker than I expected. He cancelled the ultrasound. The biopsy on Jude came back and he has Transitional cell cancer of the urethra. He put him on Famotidine twice a day with Deramaxx. Apparently some dogs have experienced a remission of sorts with it. Its an NSAID. I called his previous owner/breeder who is a vet. She prefers Peroxicam because she said it has less gastric side effects. The Famotidine should help with that. She has a colleague who is an oncologist so she is going to call him. It seems that NSAIDS work as well, and in many cases better than chemotherapy. I kind of wish that he had done the ultrasound so we could see if he has any metastasis. I see his vet (whom I really like) in 10 days, so if he has some improvement we could schedule an ultrasound or switch to Peroxicam. He was so happy when I picked him up. We stopped at the store and I bought some Science diet puppy food to mix with the boiled chicken so he ate okay. The vet feels that there is more protein in puppy food so he can put on some weight. I am going to take one day at a time and hope for a remission. If anyone knows anything about TCC please let me know.

Dawn, I am so sorry. My heart goes out to you. This, sadly, is a road I have traveled. My sweet Scottie Tipper had suspected TCC (bladder cancer). TCC isn't a good one to have. Without treatment expect about 3 months. Your vet can advise prognosis with treatment.

My dog's case was unique in every extent. Please don't think her problems will happen to Jude. But I do want to relate her story as a warning about Peroxicam. Tipper lost her spleen in Sept. 07. This severely damaged her immune system. She got odd and bizarre infections. She had a severe asymptomatic UTI that was diagnosed by ultrasound (we were checking a suspicious lymph node). She also had a polyp in her bladder. Scotties are the breed most prone to TCC so the vet wanted to remove the polyp. It took about 4 months of antibiotics to clear up the infection so she could have surgery. The polyp was pre-cancerous. At the time of surgery, she had a liver biopsy--results were bacterial hepatitis. Realize my dog had a compromised liver. We treated for hepatitis and then on a follow-up ultrasound my dog's bladder wall was still "thickened". The internal medicine vet wanted to start her on Peroxicam. This medication killed my dog. Within two weeks of taking the medication her kidneys were destroyed. Her liver was so damaged that it couldn't process the medication. Her other filtration system could not compensate. We pulled her through a few times, but ultimately, she lost her battle to kidney failure.

If you start Peroxicam or any other strong NSAID, please have bloodwork done to make sure the kidneys and liver are working well. Watch for inappetite/anorexia--the specialty vet dismissed this because my dog was obese ; any signs of intestinal bleeding such as vomit that looks like coffee grounds, black, tarry stools, bloody or pink vomit. Make sure Jude drinks well to keep his system flushed. I put my sweet dog through hell trying to treat for one problem only to cause another. Know what to look for and if you see any signs of the medication going toxic, make sure the vet does not dismiss your concerns. I can tell from your posts that Jude means the world to you. I don't want to see any dog suffer like my Tipper. Many dogs will do fine on Peroxicam, but please know the dangers. When we decided to let Tipper have a gentle passing, we did a final ultra sound--I was given a laundry list of problems my little dog had, but the Peroxicam did work, her bladder was cleared. I owe this to Tipper to let others know the possible side effects of this medication. (Please know it is very hard for me to tell her story--she passed in September 08). I know cancer is a scary diagnosis, but, there are other illnesses that are just as devastating.

Famotidine is Pepcid. It will help prevent stomach and intestinal ulcers. It is critical to give this medication. Pill pockets can help. Know I am sending Jude my best--and you too; it is hard to be a care-giver to an ill pet.

Edit to add: I'm not trying to paint a negative picture for you. You seem like a person that wants facts. This is what I experienced and I wanted to give you a caution about the medication and warning signs to look for. I know this is a huge amount to comprehend right now. This is hard. None of us know how long we have. Love and treasure Jude regardless his diagnosis--which I believe you already do.

 

[BeachGirlFLA]

I'm sending prayers and good thoughts for both of you.

 

[minnie56]

I am so sorry..I know nothing about that kind of cancer but I am sure your Vet will guide you and if there's anything that can help improve his prognosis you will know. You sound like a caring Mommy...prayers and hugs to you both.

 

[yoopermom]

Standard poodles are WONDERFUL dogs, as you've found out. I'm so so so sorry for what you're going through. Have you tried any of the poodle list servs that are out there to see if anyone else has had similar experiences? All I can suggest is to enjoy every single moment of every day with your beloved pet, take lots of pix, and hugs to you both.

Terri

 

[chrisney]

Dawn,
Been there, done this. Our vets drug of choice was the peroxicam for our Keeshond...compounded by a local pharmacy (in beef flavor no less). Frodo had been through lots of tough stuff by the time he was diagnosed with the bladder cancer...rocky mountain spotted fever, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, diabetes and cataracts. We really thought that the diagnosis was the beginning of the end, but he held on nearly another two years, and it was a stroke, not the cancer that finally took him from us at the age of 12.
Our vet was wonderful. She researched every option, and this was the one she thought would do best for him, with the fewest side effects. I also think that the dogs personality has something to do with how they do...Frodo was a really laid back and happy dog, and he just took each obstacle as it came. Even the blindness from the cataracts didn't phase him for very long. We just had to make sure that he knew where he was, and not change things around too much.
In short, I guess I'm saying that although the diagnosis isn't what you wanted to hear don't think that you don't have wonderful times left with Jude. You will just know in the back of your mind that these moments are the ones to treasure even a little more than those that have come before.
I wish for you the time that we got to have with our "best boy".

 

[Jockaroo]

chrisney, it is so hard when they get older and have health issues. I'm glad you were granted extra time with your Frodo. I treasured every day of my Tipper's last year.

Since my earlier post painted such a doom and gloom picture, I did want to add that I met a lady who's Scottie was going on 3 years treatment for TCC. He had other health issues by that point (age 13) that she suspected would take him before the cancer. Dawn, good luck. Know Jude has lots of folks pulling for him. He is a handsome, regal-looking gentleman.

 

[Mermaid02]

Sorry Dawn- I hope he does well!

 

[disney1990]

Dawn - I am so sorry to hear about Jude. Our dogs and cats are our family and the thought of losing them is overwhelming. I hope for remission.

 

[ambgoph]

Dawn,

So sorry to hear about Jude.

My Mom's dalmation is 14 and has been on chemo for the past 3 years. The way she acts, you would never know she has cancer.

Sending thoughts and prayers to you and Jude.

 

[Tuffcookie]

Oh no!

for you.

Hoping for a remission.

TC

 

[janey99]

Hi Dawn -

You don't know me, we don't usually post on the same threads, but we had to put our beloved 11yo boxer down at Halloween when they discovered she had extrememly advanced bone cancer in both hips. I'm terribly sorry to hear about Jude's diagnosis.

Please watch him carefully on the Derramax - they tried that on Bailey but almost immediately her stomach could not handle it (our signal that we had to make the hard choice). She was given carafate and Pepcid 3x the proper dose and they still could not coat her stomach adequately. If he has been off his food already, pay even closer attention.

Jane