My younger 6 year old boxer (Titus) was diagnosed with bladder cancer (TCC) on Monday (7/13/2009). He's always been a healthy boy!
About 3 weeks ago, he started leaving drops of urine around the house especially when he got excited. Couple days later, I noticed the urine had blood in it. The vet diagnosed it as urinary track infection (UTI) and gave him antibiotics. That really didn't help. They took a urine sample and ran some tests including culture. Nothing showed up. Then, they did some x-rays, ultrasound and blood work. The ultrasound showed a big tumor in his bladder in a place where they can't operate on. :(
He has no symptoms other then blood in urine and the dripping issue. I also noticed that when he lifts his leg up to pee, sometimes not much (or nothing) comes out. It doesn't seem painful to him and he acts completely normal.
He still has his appetite and energy...
Unfortunately, the vet told me there is nothing they can do for him. His prognosis is a month to a year :(
They put him on Piroxicam (10mg, once a day) to hopefully shrink and/or slow down the growth of the tumor. Hopefully, the tumor will not spread or gets too big (which it already is big). If it gets too big, it will block the path from kidneys and it will destroy them. I also found that many people use Graviola and low carb diet which is suppose to help. So I already ordered some Graviola and I'm slowly changing and adjusting his diet.
I'm not sure what I'm suppose to do other then make him as comfortable, happy and spoiled for as long as possible... I can't even think about when the time comes to say goodbye! I haven't slept or eaten much since Monday. It's always on my mind and I'm sick to my stomach 24/7!
I'm also worried about Zeus (my other boxer) and how he will deal with this since they grew up together and have been inseparable. It scares me to death!
Any advice on what else I can do to help Titus? Does anyone have any experience with this nasty cancer or the meds that he's taking?
Thanks so much for any help or advice!
About 3 weeks ago, he started leaving drops of urine around the house especially when he got excited. Couple days later, I noticed the urine had blood in it. The vet diagnosed it as urinary track infection (UTI) and gave him antibiotics. That really didn't help. They took a urine sample and ran some tests including culture. Nothing showed up. Then, they did some x-rays, ultrasound and blood work. The ultrasound showed a big tumor in his bladder in a place where they can't operate on. :(
He has no symptoms other then blood in urine and the dripping issue. I also noticed that when he lifts his leg up to pee, sometimes not much (or nothing) comes out. It doesn't seem painful to him and he acts completely normal.
He still has his appetite and energy...
Unfortunately, the vet told me there is nothing they can do for him. His prognosis is a month to a year :(
They put him on Piroxicam (10mg, once a day) to hopefully shrink and/or slow down the growth of the tumor. Hopefully, the tumor will not spread or gets too big (which it already is big). If it gets too big, it will block the path from kidneys and it will destroy them. I also found that many people use Graviola and low carb diet which is suppose to help. So I already ordered some Graviola and I'm slowly changing and adjusting his diet.
I'm not sure what I'm suppose to do other then make him as comfortable, happy and spoiled for as long as possible... I can't even think about when the time comes to say goodbye! I haven't slept or eaten much since Monday. It's always on my mind and I'm sick to my stomach 24/7!
I'm also worried about Zeus (my other boxer) and how he will deal with this since they grew up together and have been inseparable. It scares me to death!
Any advice on what else I can do to help Titus? Does anyone have any experience with this nasty cancer or the meds that he's taking?
Thanks so much for any help or advice!
