Westie with bladder cancer

[westielover]

Last Friday I found out my 12 year old female westie, Katie,  has bladder cancer--they did an ultrasound and saw a tumor that is about 20% the size of her bladder.  Now, Wednesday, she is having trouble with her bowels.  Straining lots, and if she is able to get anything out, it is yellowie or runny bowel.  I sat up with her all last nite and she slept a lot, gave me lots of westie kisses, and when she had to go out, she got down and went to the door.  Due to the straining, I let her be and she went on the papers near the door.  This morning she is just resting and not eating.  The vet seemed to think that with a medication to perhaps relieve her bladder Katie might live 3-6 months.  Did anyone else have a dog with bowel problems?  Or be given the medication of which I am sorry I do not remember the name.  I have another call into the vet, but would love to hear any stories you might like to share and/or personal stories to share.  I might add that of all the dogs I have had, Katie is turning out to be my real tear jerker, and yet, I know that I will have to put her down at some point.  The question is when!!!

[we11ington]

Obviously, I know this is an old thread but think I can help with some good news. My westie Tess was diagnosed with bladder cancer and had tumor removed from her bladder in March 2016. She has been on peroxicam since then and is still doing well. Although she is an old dog we got a new westie puppy so Tess could "train" her. I am pleased to say the are both happy as can be and Tess gives the impression she will go on forever... Its now nearly August 2017!

[ginger899]

Oh that is such good news, we11lington! It does go to show that not every cancer diagnosis has to be the end! I wish your Tess all the very best blessings. And her little puppy companion.

[Jerry_NJ]

My rescue Westie, estimate about 11 or 12 years old developed a cancerous tumor on the intestine.  It may have been caused by long time use of steroids (or from this thread, Cancer may be common in the Westie breed over 10 years old).  We were not aware of it until it ruptured.  He was in awful pain and after a few hours on pain meds and an x-ray that showed a dark area on the intestine we took him from the Vet to the emergency hospital.  They confirmed the mass and said over 90% chance it was cancer.  We decided to put the little guy down. That was December 3, 2014, but reading this old thread the sadness came back to me.  My Westie, Wilson - he is remembered on the WestiMed web site as that organization participated in financing early rescue medical expenses in 2012.  I have his ashes in the box I received them in on my fireplace mantle.  He enjoyed the fire in the fireplace insert during winter months.  The web site mentioned has a picture of him lying by the fire.  Still miss him, and have now for two years a Pomeranian Chihuahua  (PomChi?) that is fawn in color, sort of white but nothing like the brilliant Westie white.  My PomChi, Jasper, is a bit smaller than Wilson and being a mongrel Jasper appears to be much stronger health-wise.  I think Jasper is no more than 8 years old today.   My speculation is that Westie Wilson became a rescue dog because he was "thrown away" or abandoned at Liberty State Park NJ,  because of medical problems, Yeast infection which was recurring and expensive to treat during the 3 years he was with me (us, my wife was alive during the time we had Wilson, it was her dog, she too is now gone... miss them both badly.)  I tell the story as one input on the idea of putting a dog "down" when severe health issues arise, I understand dogs don't do well on chemo.  Sadly it can only extend life of greatly reduced quality (of life).

[ginger899]

I haven't forgotten Wilson, Jerry. Or the passing of your dear wife. I hope you are managing. I know it's always tough when beloved ones have to leave. Best wishes to you and Jasper.

[mo_lee_1]

My Westie is Molly and is perfect in every way.  But today the Vet told me upon doing a sonogram, that she saw a mass in her bladder and it looked suspicious.  She sent it to San Antonio and I will know something Friday.  She took antibiotics and the spotting stopped but came back today.  They did the sonogram.  I read where someone used Peroxicam and Pepcid and it seemed to shrink the tumor and was very helpful.  My heart is broken.  My baby is 12.

[Drsm121998]

I am using Piroxicam on my Visa Colby. Upon her 2nd scan, the vet told me the cancer has reduced in size. I've been also using Essiac & Tru Pine from Canada as natural products to build the immune system and help with the cancer. Colby is doing well, he's 6 months since diagnosed. He just started showing signs of major constipation, and is peeing often, not much coming out. I'm taking him to the vet tomorrow to see what's going on and try to hopefully help him. I will post updates. Anyone having problems with their pet having difficulty being VERY constipated? It breaks my heart to see him struggling, but hopefully tomorrow the vet can help.

[katie_raleigh]

My westie's name is Katie as well.  She has internal bladder cancer near the opening for her urethra.  I think she is totally blocked right now and I'm very upset and concerned.  I'm going to watch her again next time she has to pee and I hope it isn't totally blocked.  I know we have to put her to rest and I'm really upset as I type this right now.  How long can a dog lost without urinating?  Its 830pm on Easter night.  I don't want her to suffer.  She's been wagging her tail and seems happy.  

[tarponbound]

No Kacee never had constipation problems so I am no help there - but if I remember there were others on that msg board that did.  Is Katie on any other meds other than the antibiotic??  Peroxicam with pepcid seems to be the most widely used.  Peroxicam is actually a NSAID but has proven to shrink the tumors - pepcid is needed because the peroxicam is hard on the tummy.  Do you know where in the bladder her tumor is located?  Maybe you can call your vet and ask if there is anything you can give Katie for her constipation.  

[westielover]

Thanks for the info.  I looked at the site and found a lot of info.  I will continue to let you know how Katie is doing--at least she slept thru the nite so we ALL feel a bit more rested today.  She is constipated and I am wondering if this could have been caused by the antiobiotics the vet treated her with for the initial bladder infection--she just stopped taking them last Thursday and starting Monday became totally blocked.  Any history with that???

[tarponbound]

I should have added the website is www.cancercompass.com but it is difficult to find the old thread that I am refering to.  They revamped the site awhile back and the thread of 700 posts is way back to 2005 under bladder cancer.  It is not under pet cancer although there are quite a few posts there as well.  The original 700 in opinion have the most information.  If you have trouble finding it let me know.

[tarponbound]

I am so sorry about Katie.  I had a scotty - Kacee - who also had bladder cancer.  Believe it or not the vet said 6 months and she lived 3 years!!  There is a wonderful website that has tons of information and support - search for canine bladder cancer (tcc) and you will be directed to the site -and the correct thread- the tread of over 700 posts - you will see some from me (kacee's mom) - after you get thru all 700 then you can search other areas of that site - they recently set up a separate search under pet cancer - and there are some under just bladder cancer.  
Believe me I know exactly how you are feeling right now.  Just know that there IS HOPE - and I don't know if you are aware of it but westies and scotties are very prone to this disease.  My Kacee took Peroxicam and Pepcid the entire time.  I truely believe it helped her live as long as she did - She was 16 when she passed to rainbow bridge.  Please let me know how you and Katie are doing.  

[Jerry_NJ]

I had a rescue westie, male with lots of yeast infection problems/allergies. Still with lots of treatments and medication (some may have contributed to his end) he had a pretty good and comfortable life.

I don't know the exact age but estimate he was 11 when he had a tumor in his intestine rupture.  The hospital said cancer likely, immediate surgery or euthanize.  The Doc also said he may not survive the surgery and if cancer found on the biopsy he'd live a short and uncomfortable life as dogs don't do well on chemo.  We put him "down" that was December 3, 2014.  I still miss the little guy.  I now have a Pomchi (Pomeranian Chihuahua)  with lots of pictures in my profile.

The only advice:  don't let the little guy suffer long, reach for detachment while remembering the good times together. I lost my wife to cancer exactly three months later, so I am very experienced on what I advise.

[Jaybay]

I'm so sorry about your little westie. The question of "when" is always a terrible one to answer.  We ultimately tend to second-guess ourselves, "I did it too soon" or "I waited too long."  The important thing is that you do something rather than nothing.  You know your dog better than anyone else, and I'm certain you'll know when the time is right.  

I don't have any personal experience with this kind of cancer in dogs, but hopefully one of our other members can answer that.  Also, you can post your question to the vets here at Med Help.  There are now two vets on the Ask a Vet forum, Dr. Cheng and Dr. Sims.  Hopefully one of them can give you a better idea of what to expect.  :-)