Don't usually ask, but could use some prayers...

We just got back from ISU Veterinary College. My GSD mix Carly was referred there by our vet for vaginally bleeding. After a long day it seems like she may have a tumor on her urethra. We should know Thursday what type of mass it was, but the vet there seemed to think it was cancer. If it is what he thinks the even scarier part is that where it's at it will be inoperable and all I'll be able to offer her is pallative care (make her comfortable until her time comes).

My heart is breaking.....it seems so unfair. She's such a good baby. She doesn't deserve this.

Please say some prayers for her. She's a gem.

I am so sorry to see this. Carly is certainly in my prayers as are you.

I am so sorry to hear this, I will keep you both in my prayers. Let us know how she is doing.

Robin I am so very sorry to hear about Carly. I'll be praying that it's not cancer.

(((HUGS))) to you.

Prayers from us too. I hope the Vet is wrong & Carly can be treated
and get over this. Hang in there. ((Hugs))

Poor Carly - praying for you sweetheart

You and Carly are in my thoughts and prayers.

{{{husg}}} to you both.

You and Carly will be in our prayers.

Prayers, hugs and pets all around. Let us know how things progress.

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Originally Posted by robinh

We just got back from ISU Veterinary College. My GSD mix Carly was referred there by our vet for vaginally bleeding. After a long day it seems like she may have a tumor on her urethra. We should know Thursday what type of mass it was, but the vet there seemed to think it was cancer. If it is what he thinks the even scarier part is that where it's at it will be inoperable and all I'll be able to offer her is pallative care (make her comfortable until her time comes).

My heart is breaking.....it seems so unfair. She's such a good baby. She doesn't deserve this.

Please say some prayers for her. She's a gem.

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Most (but not all) cancer involving the urethra ends up being a form of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). Besides the pressure on the urethra causing urinating problems the primary site ends up being the bladder. Although it can spread to other organs such as the lungs. You should ask the Vet(s) if they believe it's TCC. If the answer is yes, then you can try Chemo consisting of the drugs Mitoxantrone and Piroxicam. The Mitoxantrone is one of the more expensive Chemo drugs. For a dog the size of yours, you would want to ask the Vet for Metoclopromide 10 mg 3X daily for 72 hrs post treatment to control nausea. Mitoxantrone was not a problem for my Lymphoma puppy, when dosed with the Metoclopromide. The Piroxicam is a COX-2 inhibitor where the COX-2 is expressed as part of the TCC. Inhibiting its expression helps slow down the cancer. Piroxicam is also used in Vet medicine as an anti-plain, anti-inflamatory drug. It tends to be hard on the stomach and requires an acid blocker to prevent ulcers from occurring. Studies give this treatment Median and mean disease-free intervals 200 and 280 days, and survival times of 299 and 411 days. If money is an issue then Piroxicam alone gives about 181 days Median survival.

Discuss the Chemo option with your Vet(s). If they agree, then follow up on asking about getting supportive drugs to prevent nausea, along with the appropriate acid blocker dosage. It could give the dog a better quality of life in the remaining months, and also give you a little more time to spoil it even more.

Bless you and Carly :( I'm so sorry. I know it hurts so much. You'll both be in my thoughts. Please give her some loving from me.

Such sad news. :( Many prayers for you and Carly.

hugs and prayers on the way!

I'm really sorry to hear about Carly; all fingers and toes are crossed hoping for the best!

Ohhh honey I am soooo very sorry and I will certainly pray for your pet. It is so disheartening to hear and know something bad could happen but try and be positive about it and maybe it will turn up just a cyst of sorts and can be removed. Bless your Heart.

Smokey & I are absolutely praying for you and Carly. I am sooooo sorry that this is happening. I am sending all the positive energy & hugs I can Carly's way.

Keeping you and Carly in my thought, Robin. :( {{HUGS}}

I am so very sorry, robin. :( I will definately keep you and sweet Carly in my prayers. ((((HUGS))))

Thank you so much for your prayers. It means the world to us that you care.

Our worst fear has been realized...it is transitional cell carcinoma. :(

They are telling us that chemo probably won't help that much. They have recommended a radical surgery, but the chances they are giving us are 50% or less that it willl help at all.

Dick and I are reviewing her options. I am doing research into herbal supplements and some reading on diets. We do have to make a decision within a couple of weeks, so....I'll keep you posted.

:( You & Carly are in our prayers. I know how heartbreaking this diagnosis is, and how unfair - I lost my boy Sherman to lung cancer in July. Enjoy every day with her to the fullest, and hopefully you will find something that will keep her quality of life up for as long as possible. God bless you all.

I am so sorry - make the most of the time you have left together :(

<<<<HUGS>>>>. My thoughts and prayers are with you & Carly :(

I am so sorry to hear that. :( I do hope that Carly can be painfree
and comfortable no matter what you both decide. This is so unfair. :(

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Originally Posted by robinh

Thank you so much for your prayers. It means the world to us that you care.

Our worst fear has been realized...it is transitional cell carcinoma. :(

They are telling us that chemo probably won't help that much. They have recommended a radical surgery, but the chances they are giving us are 50% or less that it willl help at all.

Dick and I are reviewing her options. I am doing research into herbal supplements and some reading on diets. We do have to make a decision within a couple of weeks, so....I'll keep you posted.

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Ask them why Mitoxantrone and Piroxicam is not an option. It doesn't cure, but will help to give a higher quality of life. At the vary least they should be recommending Piroxicam. There's just too much scientific literature supporting its use.

There are only two supplements I'm aware of that might marginally slow down the spread of the cancer:

1. Fish oil, which has an mild antiangiogenic effect, and also helps normalize lactic acid levels in the blood which are elevated in cancer patients. I gave my 80 lb Lymphoma puppy 4000 mg twice daily. The 8000 mg (e.g. 8-1000 mg gel caps) had no side effects.

2. Artemisinin, which is in short supply due to its application in combating malaria. There are a lot of fly by night internet sites that may be peddling very low purity preparations. There are some studies indicating it might be useful in treating some cancers, but its use with TCC is missing in the literature. It may have no effect against TCC.

Supplements sheldom harm an animal with cancer be it human or dog. Unfortunately they have even less chance of helping. There's all kinds of wild claims on the Internet. I gave my lymphoma puppy varous supplements playing off rather flimsy evidence the supplement might enhance the particular Chemo agent being given at the time. I have no idea if it helped or not. Sometimes it comes down to the desire of just wanting to do something.

a painkiller and something for her stomach. After reading the op and lab report, it appears she may have more than one kind of cancer.

We are looking into other chemo drugs, the herbal supplements and diet as a combination effort.

Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}

Thinking of you and Carly.

Just checking in to see how things are going?