Bladder cancer: Time to say goodbye.

Bladder cancer: Time to say goodbye.

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The Rotrex Kid

Original Poster:

31,679 posts

167 months

Monday 24th October 2022
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This is Daisy.



Daisy is our gorgeous nearly 12 year old Scottie.

Unfortunately over the last week or so we noticed that she has had trouble going to the toilet, really straining, tiny drops etc.

A trip to the vet gave us some tablets for a UTI with the advice of going back for an ultrasound and possible biopsy which was done today.

Unfortunately they couldn’t do the biopsy but have advised that they have found a growth in her urethra, which they suspect is cancerous. The next step is a urine test which has been sent to the lab, pending results, then a biopsy under anaesthesia which is obviously very costly.

I’m obviously very caring for my first little baby, but I am pragmatic that old dogs do slowly fall apart and having done some reading, bladder cancer survival rates are low, even with chemotherapy etc she’s unlikely to last 12 months.

We’re waiting for the next steps once the lab work happens, but I think I don’t really want to put an already quite old dog through chemo etc when it isn’t actually going to fix the issue, just drag the inevitable out. On the other hand I don’t want to just give her the needle if we can support and manage her for a while. I don’t really know what I’m after, just any advice and input?!

Waitforme

1,249 posts

171 months

Monday 24th October 2022
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Depends on if she is suffering because of the problem, if she is then as hard as it may seem I think you know the answer.
Been there.

LordHaveMurci

12,099 posts

176 months

Monday 24th October 2022
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So sorry to hear this, led by the vets advice only
you’ll know the answer.

garythesign

2,281 posts

95 months

Tuesday 25th October 2022
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Waitforme said:
Depends on if she is suffering because of the problem, if she is then as hard as it may seem I think you know the answer.
Been there.
Have to agree with this.

Good luck

The Rotrex Kid

Original Poster:

31,679 posts

167 months

Tuesday 25th October 2022
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Thanks for the input all, and the messages offline as well!

She has seemed really well today, running around like a puppy and no accidents inside either.

Still waiting on urine test results, possibly tomorrow.

garythesign

2,281 posts

95 months

Wednesday 26th October 2022
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The Rotrex Kid said:
Thanks for the input all, and the messages offline as well!

She has seemed really well today, running around like a puppy and no accidents inside either.

Still waiting on urine test results, possibly tomorrow.
Fingers crossed for you

moorx

3,931 posts

121 months

Wednesday 26th October 2022
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Thinking of you and Daisy.

CarCrazyDad

4,280 posts

42 months

Wednesday 26th October 2022
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Fingers crossed. Best recoveries to Daisy.

Jasandjules

70,505 posts

236 months

Thursday 27th October 2022
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The one thing I will say is that dogs cope much, much better than people IME.... For me, whilst they have more good days than bad, it is all ok.. And then when the times comes and they tell you they are ready, you can let them free.

The Rotrex Kid

Original Poster:

31,679 posts

167 months

Thursday 27th October 2022
quotequote all
Just had the call on the way home, had to pull over to take it to make sure I understood.

Basically, it is cancer, they can’t really do anything. The type that it is doesn’t respond well to Chemo so they don’t see the point, it’s right at the neck of the urethra/bladder so they can’t cut it out.

Possibly 6 months, but they think it’s been in there for a month or so after our explanations about her weeing on walks etc.

We can give her anti inflammatory treatments and mange her and see how she goes until we make the decision enough is enough. I suppose it’s always the way it ends.

moorx

3,931 posts

121 months

Thursday 27th October 2022
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Really sorry to read that frown

Cherish every moment.

garythesign

2,281 posts

95 months

Friday 28th October 2022
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Sorry to read that.

Having been through similar, you could consider non traditional treatments

When our boy got cancer we changed his diet to raw, and had various herbal supplements.

He lasted another 18 months, far more than our vet predicted.

Good luck and cherish the time you have together.

The Rotrex Kid

Original Poster:

31,679 posts

167 months

Friday 28th October 2022
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Thanks all.

Interesting you say that Gary, we have changed our other Scottie to raw food due to skin issues he suffers with so I think I will swap daisy across too, she’ll probably enjoy it more anyway!

CarCrazyDad

4,280 posts

42 months

Friday 28th October 2022
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Really sorry to hear about the cancer. I hope you have as long as possible together.

HTP99

23,305 posts

147 months

Saturday 29th October 2022
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Gutted to hear this Adam, make the most of the time that you have with her.

sociopath

3,433 posts

73 months

Saturday 29th October 2022
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Waitforme said:
Depends on if she is suffering because of the problem, if she is then as hard as it may seem I think you know the answer.
Been there.
This.
Also been there, it's never easy.

The Rotrex Kid

Original Poster:

31,679 posts

167 months

Saturday 29th October 2022
quotequote all
HTP99 said:
Gutted to hear this Adam, make the most of the time that you have with her.
It’s not going to be pleasant when we have to deal with it but she has had nearly 12 wonderful years with us and as they say all good things must come to an end. Got some painkillers and anti inflammatory from the vet to try and keep her comfortable and I’m going to spoil her with treats every day!

redback911

2,797 posts

273 months

Sunday 30th October 2022
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The Rotrex Kid said:
HTP99 said:
Gutted to hear this Adam, make the most of the time that you have with her.
It’s not going to be pleasant when we have to deal with it but she has had nearly 12 wonderful years with us and as they say all good things must come to an end. Got some painkillers and anti inflammatory from the vet to try and keep her comfortable and I’m going to spoil her with treats every day!
Sorry to see the update but 100% to the posts above, it will be quality time. We felt really lucky to have 3 months notice that one of our labs would quickly deteriorate due to kidney problems. Gave us time to spoil her and prepare after 13 years together.

The Rotrex Kid

Original Poster:

31,679 posts

167 months

Monday 21st November 2022
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Well it seems to have come around a lot sooner than expected. She’s been peeing pure blood this morning, visibly in pain and tiny drops of wee with nothing else happening. We’ve had a brief chat this morning and pending the vet saying any different we think we need to say goodbye today.

My mum had to have her cat put down yesterday so daisy will probably be buried with him in mums garden which is a lovely spot where we can visit in the future.

I’ll certainly miss those gorgeous eyes looking at me! She’s a little damp in this photo after trying to wee for 20 mins in the rain, I had to drag her back in.


HTP99

23,305 posts

147 months

Monday 21st November 2022
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Funnily enough I was thinking of you and Daisy this morning when out on my morning dog walk, so gutted for you, I've been there, it is horrid but it will be for the best for her, my thoughts are with you guys.