Shelby has bladder cancer

[Candy'sPugs]

Hi all:

I have not posted in a few weeks because I didn't want to say that out loud. She was not feeling well, throwing up, drinking a lot of water, and peeing a lot so I took her in thinking UTI. They did an ultra sound and found a growth in her bladder, then they took a urine sample and sent that off for testing. Positive. She is on chemo every 3 weeks (mitoxantrone) and piroxican pills. Today is her 2nd chemo treatment and they are reducing dosage by 25% because she got very sick after the 1st one. Even though they had told me they had no problems with this in other dogs that they have given this to. With all this they say she will last 6 months to possibly close to a year. While my friends and family say this is my decision they clearly think I am doing the wrong thing to put her through all this. Anyone have any experience with this or this particular treatment route? Thanks for listening.

Candy

[ayleash]

So sorry to hear this... In the human arena this would be bad news (fast moving) too... Spend time making your little one comfortable, and WATCH for the joy that is hers in her time with you, sleeping, etc... but when that joy is harder to find... you will be able to set her free from the rest of it... knowing she loves you 10000%...

[SiennasMommy]

I am so sad for you. You do what you feel is right for Shelby. Does she have more good days than bad? Perhaps 6BeautifulPugs has some advise so she will be more comfortable and have more good days. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to get a second opinion to see if there is anything else that can be done.

Prayers going out for you to have strength and a miracle for Shelby.

[6 Beautiful Pugs]

There are two types of bladder cancer that typically afflict dogs, the more common is located toward the back wall of the bladder and is slower growing. The second is usually located near the neck of the bladder where the urethra exits and the ureters enter. This type is usually very fast moving and aggressive and is called transitional cell carcinoma. This is what my Dickson had. The former can be "managed" with meds and the dog can have good quality of life for quite a while, the latter is a much more grim prognosis and the tumor often blocks either or both urine flowing out or in from the kidneys causing a lot of pain.

If it is transitional cell carcinoma, as it was with my Dickson, I would choose to spare my dog the extreme discomfort.

If not, depending on the location of the tumor, I would likely choose to treat other bladder cancers, without going to extraordinary measures which would involve a lot of pain, money and stress without a significant quality of life improvement.

Unless TCC, I would likely go for treatment with piroxicam, tagamet and benadryl.....I would probably skip the chemo unless the vet felt strongly it would give quality.

I am so sorry you and Shelby are going through this.

Take care,
Lisa

[groverthepug]

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[Tinker's mom]

I'm so sorry to read this. Prayers for Shelby and hugs to you.

[Cheryl7777]

I'm so sorry you are going through this. Lisa gave wonderful advice and I'm adding my prayers and thoughts of comfort for both you and Shelby.

[pugtown]

So sorry to hear this. Lots of pug hugs and positive thoughts going your way!

[Candy'sPugs]

Lisa, I am not sure which type it is. I will ask that specific question today, although they did tell me that they didn't believe surgery was an option due to location of tumor they said it was very doubtful they could get it all.
Right now, although she did get sick from chemo she is still having more good days than bad. You can definitely see a difference in her though. Thanks so much for all your thoughts.

Candy

[shaynapug]

I think this is another area that there is no right or wrong answer. We all have to do what we need to do to live with ourselves. We all view things differently....and have different tolerance levels....

That said.....if I were told that I had cancer and chemo, which would make me sick, would only buy me 6 months to a year.....I would rather enjoy life undrugged for as long as I could....then would chose to be let go....

If it would buy me years....my thoughts would probably be different!!!!

No matter what you chose, it is your choice....and don't let anyone else put their values or choices on to you!!!! You are the one that needs to live with yourself for many many years! My Solo has been gone now for almost 2 1/2 yrs.....and just thinking about him usually brings tears as he's the only baby I was NOT with when he crossed the bridge...and even worse...he was a HEART baby!!! I had no choice as my Dad has passed 12 hrs before....and yet dealing with it is extremely hard for me! Others would be able to let it go and realize they had no control over it.....and no other choices to make! Don't get me wrong...I can think of good things with him and smile....but my heart still hurts and tears are falling as I write this!!!

Seeing you making right decisions for both yourself......and for Shelby!

Sending you a BIG PUG HUG!