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

[dragondawg]

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.

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.

[dukedogsmom]

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.

[ramanth]

Such sad news. Many prayers for you and Carly.