Gloria’s call-in about how to help her dog with TCC spawns a conversation about early warning signs of bladder cancer in dogs.
Dr. Lauren Barrow answers a listener question from Gloria in Florida. Gloria's dog was recently diagnosed with transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), and she is seeking advice on how to support her dog beyond the prescribed medication, piroxicam. Dr. Barrow shares her insights and offers general information on how to detect bladder cancer early on.
Key Topics Covered:
• Piroxicam for TCC: Dr. Barrow explains the benefits of piroxicam, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) with anti-tumor properties, which is commonly prescribed for dogs with TCC.
• Diet and Supplements: While there is no specific diet or supplement proven beyond a doubt to kill cancer cells, maintaining a healthy diet and weight with a focus on reducing inflammation is crucial. Also important is ensuring your dog has enough nutrients to maintain muscle mass and appetite.
• Additional Medications: Other potential treatment options, such as Palladia (a targeted therapy drug), are discussed, though piroxicam remains the most studied and commonly used for TCC.
• Early Warning Signs: Dr. Barrow outlines symptoms that may indicate urinary problems associated with TCC, including accidents, blood in urine, straining to urinate, and frequent small urinations.
• General Management Tips: Dr. Barrow advises maintaining a healthy diet, regular exercise, and a stable weight to help manage a dog’s overall health while fighting cancer.
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If you have a question for our team, or if you want to share your own hopeful dog cancer story, we want to hear from you! Go to https://www.dogcancer.com/ask to submit your question or story, or call our Listener Line at +1 808-868-3200 to leave a question.
Related Videos:
A wonderful everything-Palladia episode: https://youtu.be/GafVltlNWvY
A veterinary oncologist discusses the little-known use of radiation in bladder cancer: https://youtu.be/ZGoyn-1TBsA
What happens when a new veterinarian recommends surgery on an “inoperable” tumor? https://youtu.be/MCGJc_UvEXE
Related Links:
Our article on Bladder Cancer: https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/types-of-dog-cancer/bladder-cancer-in-dogs-including-transitional-cell-carcinoma/
Piroxicam: https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/drugs/piroxicam-for-dogs/
Palladia: https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/drugs/palladia-for-dogs/
Chapters:
[00:00] - Introduction
[00:30] Gloria’s Question: Dog Diagnosed with TCC
[01:15] Piroxicam for Transitional Cell Carcinoma
[02:00] Why Seeing an Oncologist Is So Important
[02:30] The Role of Piroxicam in Cancer Treatment
[03:00] General Diet and Supplements for Dogs with Cancer
[03:45] Resources for Dog Cancer Diet and Supplements
[04:15] Other Medications for TCC
[05:00] Palladia: A Potential Option for TCC
[05:30] Managing TCC in Younger Dogs
[06:00] Breeds Prone to Transitional Cell Carcinoma
[07:00] Watch for Early Signs of Bladder Cancer
[08:00] Final Tips for Keeping Your Dog Healthy
[08:30] Outro and Resources
Get to know Dr. Lauren Barrow: https://www.dogcancer.com/people/lauren-harper-barrow-dvm-cna/
For more details, articles, podcast episodes, and quality education go to the episode page: https://www.dogcancer.com/podcast/
