MissieLynn
Forums Enthusiast
I'm so sorry. 
Prayers and hugs for all of you.
Prayers and hugs for all of you.
My Sheltie boy Butch has Bladder Cancer
- Thread starter Amelia
- Start date
Miracle is needed
Thank yo so much for your kind words. I think I really need a miracle and I am hoping someone out there might know of something new I could try. I have fallen asleep crying and praying for a cure. Something new that maybe I didn't hear about, but I think Butch's oncologist would know if there was one. Should you or anyone else that reads this know something we don't, please respond to this as I look at this site a few times a day since I work it is hard to keep up. This is truly overwhelming for me.
Thank yo so much for your kind words. I think I really need a miracle and I am hoping someone out there might know of something new I could try. I have fallen asleep crying and praying for a cure. Something new that maybe I didn't hear about, but I think Butch's oncologist would know if there was one. Should you or anyone else that reads this know something we don't, please respond to this as I look at this site a few times a day since I work it is hard to keep up. This is truly overwhelming for me.
trini
Forums Sage
When we knew our little Rory was on borrowed time with his TCC, I made a list of his most favorite things to do and every day we went down that list and did as much as he wanted to. For Rory's sake I tried to put my own sadness on hold so I wouldn't waste any of the time he did have and could make sure his days were filled with joy. It wasn't easy and often I would quietly cry myself to sleep at night. But the more I worked at making Rory's time extra special, the more wonderful memories I now have to cherish. In looking back, I am thankful I had that time to say goodbye, even though it broke my heart to lose our precious little guy.
Life has no guarantees and sadly we often have no power to control what is happening, but we do have the power to determine how we use the time we have with a loved one.
I pray your Butch has a lot more time with you and that the time he does have can be filled with joy.
Trini
Life has no guarantees and sadly we often have no power to control what is happening, but we do have the power to determine how we use the time we have with a loved one.
I pray your Butch has a lot more time with you and that the time he does have can be filled with joy.
Trini
Mally's Mom
Forums Enthusiast
Continuous prayers going out your way.
Please continue to update us, when you are able. Thank you.
Please continue to update us, when you are able. Thank you.
My sheltie, Sparky, also was diagnosed with TCC. Like your boy, his tumor is not in a location where it is currently blocking anything. I could not afford treatment of any kind, plus he has other complicating diseases (congestive heart failure being the main issue).
He is 14 years old now and was diagnosed last July. He has made it almost a full year since it was first found and doesn't appear ready to stop any time soon! The only reason why I even learned about it was because he had ultrasounds done due to a bowel obstruction when he swallowed too large of a piece of a duck foot chew. They discovered a mass on his bladder. I haven't seen any blood in his urine, but he does drink more and urinate more, and I've noticed that he does take longer to empty his bladder as the months go on.
The only thing I give him is good food, minimize chemicals in his life (avoid chemical flea treatments, vaccines, etc), and I do give him a medicinal mushroom supplement. There is good research showing that certain mushrooms can help extend the lives of dogs with cancer. It's not a cure, but it appears to help. I mean, I'll never really know how long he would have lived if I never gave it to him, but he is so far beating the odds in terms of how long he has lived since initial diagnosis. The supplement I use is called Immunity, made by Bixbi pet. http://shop.bixbipet.com/products/immunity
It is not too expensive and the container probably lasts me four months for my 13lb dog. Very cost effective. I also give him milk thistle to support his liver.
My childhood miniature poodle had TCC as well. I think he was diagnosed around age 9 and lived about a year. His tumor was at the neck of the bladder/urethra and it gradually cut off his ability to urinate. He eventually got to the point where he was dripping urine constantly. My father took him to the vet to be euthanized when he started to become uremic. He was 10 years old.
Best of luck with your boy. This cancer is usually very aggressive. Sparky, so far, is doing well. His last bloodwork was normal and he has good energy and weight. The only issues lately is that he gets loose stools very easily so I pretty much keep him on canned pumpkin continuously to keep him regular.
He is 14 years old now and was diagnosed last July. He has made it almost a full year since it was first found and doesn't appear ready to stop any time soon! The only reason why I even learned about it was because he had ultrasounds done due to a bowel obstruction when he swallowed too large of a piece of a duck foot chew. They discovered a mass on his bladder. I haven't seen any blood in his urine, but he does drink more and urinate more, and I've noticed that he does take longer to empty his bladder as the months go on.
The only thing I give him is good food, minimize chemicals in his life (avoid chemical flea treatments, vaccines, etc), and I do give him a medicinal mushroom supplement. There is good research showing that certain mushrooms can help extend the lives of dogs with cancer. It's not a cure, but it appears to help. I mean, I'll never really know how long he would have lived if I never gave it to him, but he is so far beating the odds in terms of how long he has lived since initial diagnosis. The supplement I use is called Immunity, made by Bixbi pet. http://shop.bixbipet.com/products/immunity
It is not too expensive and the container probably lasts me four months for my 13lb dog. Very cost effective. I also give him milk thistle to support his liver.
My childhood miniature poodle had TCC as well. I think he was diagnosed around age 9 and lived about a year. His tumor was at the neck of the bladder/urethra and it gradually cut off his ability to urinate. He eventually got to the point where he was dripping urine constantly. My father took him to the vet to be euthanized when he started to become uremic. He was 10 years old.
Best of luck with your boy. This cancer is usually very aggressive. Sparky, so far, is doing well. His last bloodwork was normal and he has good energy and weight. The only issues lately is that he gets loose stools very easily so I pretty much keep him on canned pumpkin continuously to keep him regular.
Chris
Premium Member
Dear St. Francis,
We know you care for all animals, and we often turn to you to welcome our Shelties to Rainbow Bridge when the time comes. If you could please have a word with the Good Shepherd, Butch's Mom would sure like to keep him with her for just a bit longer. Please send her comfort and strength -- and the ability to enjoy every second she has with him in her arms.
In His name we ask,
Amen
Update on Butch's Cancer
Butch has just received his last chemo treatment because the vet would like to try a chemo pill called chlorambucil (leukeran) because she has heard that it is a new more effective treatment to stop the blood in his urine. The good new is someone there who has lost her Golden to lymphoma has donated the pills to me because she met me there the day I took Butch for his ultrasound. There are so many good people out there. Too bad we find them during the most devastating times of our lives. I keep getting all these warm wishes for my boy and I am so thankful for all of your prayers. I would like to post his picture here but do not know how so you can at least see the Sheltie boy you are praying for. If someone can please advise me I would be most appreciative. He is a beautiful bi-black Sheltie. Thank you again for all of your kind words. I will keep you updated on his progress. Sincerely, Amelia
Butch has just received his last chemo treatment because the vet would like to try a chemo pill called chlorambucil (leukeran) because she has heard that it is a new more effective treatment to stop the blood in his urine. The good new is someone there who has lost her Golden to lymphoma has donated the pills to me because she met me there the day I took Butch for his ultrasound. There are so many good people out there. Too bad we find them during the most devastating times of our lives. I keep getting all these warm wishes for my boy and I am so thankful for all of your prayers. I would like to post his picture here but do not know how so you can at least see the Sheltie boy you are praying for. If someone can please advise me I would be most appreciative. He is a beautiful bi-black Sheltie. Thank you again for all of your kind words. I will keep you updated on his progress. Sincerely, Amelia
trini
Forums Sage
Amelia, I hope this new med buys a lot more time for your beloved Butch!
If you put his pics on any picture sharing site...then you can post the link here on the board so we can all see your beautiful boy.
Trini
If you put his pics on any picture sharing site...then you can post the link here on the board so we can all see your beautiful boy.
Trini
Butch update
Vet just cannot stop the blood in his urine. Putting him on Lukeran pills which is a slower way to treat the cancer. Has loose stool also so she gave me pills to try to stop the diarrhea, started him this morning on them. Running out of funds but the vet got a donation of these pills from another dog that had sadly passed away from Lymphoma. How sad. My heart is breaking. Has anyone ever heard of Tumexal. The vet at cancer clinic said she would guarantee the blood to stop but that is $350 for one month of pills and she says he would need three month supply. Would do it if anyone has tried it with success. please let me know.
Vet just cannot stop the blood in his urine. Putting him on Lukeran pills which is a slower way to treat the cancer. Has loose stool also so she gave me pills to try to stop the diarrhea, started him this morning on them. Running out of funds but the vet got a donation of these pills from another dog that had sadly passed away from Lymphoma. How sad. My heart is breaking. Has anyone ever heard of Tumexal. The vet at cancer clinic said she would guarantee the blood to stop but that is $350 for one month of pills and she says he would need three month supply. Would do it if anyone has tried it with success. please let me know.
Chris
Premium Member
Saying a prayer to St. Francis for Butch.