Bladder Cancer in Dogs, Dog Urinary Problems, Causes of Bladder Cancer in Dogs

Canine Medications

There are certain carcinogenic in some medications used on dogs including the drug Cyclophosphamide which has a chemical called Acroleinis which is now known to cause canine bladder cancer.

Chemicals

You need to be careful with some chemicals that you use in the House, on your dog and in your garden. Some evidence is emerging that some insecticides, mosquito sprays and even tick dips can increase the likelihood of bladder cancer in dogs.

Genetics

Canine bladder cancer is actually more common in certain breeds including...

Wire hair Fox Terriers
Scottish Terriers
Airedale Terriers
Shetland Sheepdogs
Beagles
West highland terrier Terriers

Gender

Gender can also be a major factor in the risk of your dog getting the disease. Did you know that female dogs are actually far more likely to get the disease especially if they weigh over 22 pounds.

Signs & Symptoms of Bladder Cancer in Dogs

Dog urinary problems - including incontinence
Blood may show in the urine
Your dog may suffer from Dysuria - this is when they have pain urinating.
Your dog may suffer from Hermaturia this is when the urine appears brown due to a presence of blood cells in the urine.
Your dog may have urinary tract infections that seem to return on a regular basis.
You may start to notice that your dog is peeing more often but when they actually go they only pee a small amount, this is known as Pollakiuria.
Another symptom is when your dog has a poor response to antibiotics after a urinary tract infection.

Treatment

Your dog's vet may opt for conventional treatment including chemotherapy which may involve the vet using drugs including Mitoxantrone, Adriamycin, Carboplatin and/or Cisplatin which will fight the tumors. A new drug has started being used to battle cancer tumors and is called Piroxicam (Feldene).

Radiation may also be used but this does have some nasty side effects including fibrosis.

Surgery may also be sued on small clumps of the bladder but only in the upper part as cancer in the neck is inoperable.

What chance does my Dog have....?

The most common form of bladder cancer and malignant tumors in dogs are what are called transitional cell carcinomas which are referred to as TCC - This tumor normally affects the neck of the bladder.

Unfortunately the prognosis for dogs that develop the disease is bad. About half of dogs that are diagnosed with this condition are diagnosed too late and the disease has already spread to the lymph nodes, lumbar vertebrae and pelvis.

You will need to get your dog checked regularly and watch out for tell tale symptoms such as drinking too much and other symptoms that we have listed on this page as catching the disease at the earliest possible stage is very important.