Bladder Cancer

[Deirdre]

I was so happy to join Doodlekisses and to be a part of some of the discussions, invites and groups. Then my life took a turn. The last 4 months of my life has been spent with trips to the vet and ultrasounds on Gus' brother Bear my 11 yr old Chessie. Last week the diagnoses was bladder cancer and I was told that we should be happy if he makes it to March. I've cried all the tears that my body can hold, then got strong and decided that he's fine now and I need to enjoy everyday that we have with him. Knowing Bear he's going to outsmart us and live many more years!
Questions;
1. Has anyone dealt with bladder cancer in any of their dogs?
2. Bear is Gus' best friend has anyone experienced the loss of one dog that is the other dogs mentor. Gus has never been alone, when we aren't here he has Bear.
Would love any input.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

I can't offer experience but I can give you big Doodles Hugs!! Prayer are being sent Bear's way!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm sorry to hear about Bear, Deirdre. I hope he does outsmart everyone! Enjoy every minute with him. Hugs to you both, and Gus, too!

[Leslie and Halas]

I'm sorry about Bear. Dogs have outsmarted doctors before, and I hope Bear can join that group. I've never dealt with bladder cancer, so I don't have any advice there.

We used to have 2 huskies, Shadow and Jessie. Shadow followed Jessie around everywhere; she was definitely the boss. Jessie was more dominant, but she wasn't used to people, so she had to kind of take Shadow's lead on how to be a house dog and get used to being petted. I don't know how Shadow would have handled it if Jessie went first. But we lost Shadow a couple of years before we lost Jessie. When Shadow died, Jessie seemed to miss him, but she didn't seem to mope around too much. But she definitely reacted. My parents adopted her, and it was clear that she had been neglected (at best) and/or abused (at worst) early in life. Shadow loved to play in the water from the garden hose, but Jessie cowered when the hose came out. She was a brave, tough girl, and not one to cower much, so this was obviously a big deal for her. Shadow loved to get brushed, but Jessie would hide from the brush. Shadow would greet you when you came in the door, and if you patted your chest, he would lightly jump up on you. Jessie would never do this, no matter how many times we invited her. Starting the day after Shadow died, Jessie started letting us brush her, with no cowering or hiding. And, when invited, she would lightly jump up on us. It's like she thought, "Well, someone has to get brushed, and someone has to greet them when they come home. I guess that's up to me now." It was just really interesting to see that she really had learned things from Shadow, even though she always seemed like the one in charge.

[Denise U]

Sorry to hear about Bear. I don't know anything about bladder cancer in dogs, but I do know about losing a dog that is a mentor to another dog. Before my Goldendoodle life, I owned two Bichons. The older, alpha Bichon (Chardonnay) passed due to cancer. Our other Bichon, (Moselle), had a hard time with it for a while. She ended up getting separation anxiety, destroyed carpeting and doors if we put her in the back room where we used to leave both when we left the house. We tried Comicalm (sp?) which is a prescription drug and it didn't work. Time ended up healing all wounds and Moselle ended up blossoming into a different dog... doing things she never did before as she probably couldn't get away with some of it from Chardonnay. Not bad things, just like she gained more personality. She now loved to go on long walks with my Dad and was a little more of a comedian. Sadly I lost Moselle too, it will be two years ago this coming Monday. She was 16 1/2 and had dementia. One thing I learned through the whole process of losing Chardonnay first was that dogs adjust and just like people, they need time to grieve and heal.

I wish that the remaining months with Bear are filled with good memories that can sustain you after his passing. Sending hugs your way. Denise

[Kathie and the gang]

I went through this, this time last year, so I do know the pain you are going through. My male Rottie had bone cancer. I had his leg removed and he lived another 18 months. The Vet thought he would maybe go 6 to 8 months. It was only the last 3 weeks that were not good and that final decision was not an easy one. But it was the right one. I don't know about bladder cancer in dogs however.
My female Rottie had never been alone, so I knew that I would have another dog very soon after Moe died. Winston came home three weeks after Moe died. Freya became a different dog after Moe died, she was happier. Moe was alpha and never let Freya forget it. She and Winston are the best of friends and play all the time. For me the timing just worked out so that Freya's time alone was short. The breeder I had picked just happened to have a litter and an opening, otherwise I would have had at least a 4 to 6 month wait for a puppy.
I miss Moe every day, but I'm thankful for the joy that Winston has brought into my and the fun he gives to Freya everyday.

[Adina P]

I'm so sorry about Bear. I'll hope for the best. Keep us updated on how he's doing.

[Karen & Lucy]

Praise God, no experiance with this kind of problem, but Lucy and I send you, Bear, and Gus kisses and hugs as you go through this trying time.

[Debbie Penny]

Sending doodle hugs to Bear, Gus and yourself. I pray that Bear enjoys each day and who knows what the future will bring. My abbey has cancer, and it's been over 20 months since she was diagnoised, good thing I stopped crying after the 4/5 day!

[cheryl & oliver]

Well I can't help you with the Bladder Cancer issue, but I certainly wish you well, and hope that Bear will prove all the Dr's wrong,,,,,,We lost our 13 1/2 yr old Aussie 2 yrs ago, his best pal our other aussie was as devastated as my husband * I were when we had to put him down...Now Renny had never been without his pal either, and he was just lost when Token was put down...He was so sad, and would just meander around the house and outside looking for him...He didn't play, just sulked around. He spent a lot of time in his crate, and looking at us with the saddest eyes....His crate is never closed, so he would just go and lay in there, and sigh...My friend is a dog physcologist (sp) and she told me to sit down and talk to Renny and explain to him that Token went to the bridge, and that he is no longer sick or in pain,,She said that he will understand, and I thought she was nuts myself, but I did what she told me...I sat with him on the floor and told him that Token was sick, it was time for him to leave us for the Rainbow Bridge, etc...I swear that dog just was fixated on what I was saying, he layed his head on my lap, and while I cried, he licked my hand...that night I made the decision to get another dog for him to have a freind, and we got Oliver shortly thereafter, what a change in my other dog, they play and play, and his old personality is back...So yes they do miss the other dog, especially if they are close, but I know it sounds crazy, but when the time comes, u need to talk to Gus, u would be very surprised what they understand...Getting Oliver was the best thing we ever did for Renny, and for us....We waited a year, and I truly believe that was too long, well for us it wasn't, we needed to grieve, but for Renny it was too long....I am sending hugs and prayers from your friends here in Florida..Cheryl

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I am so sorry for your family. I hope Bear enjoys many good days with you and with Gus.

[Deirdre]

I just want to thank all of you for your wonderful kindness and insights concerning Bear and Gus. Bladder Cancer is very rare in male dogs. I'm going to start taking Bear for rides in the car or walks on the beach and leave Gus at home alone, will only start off in 5 min intervals and work up to longer times away. Gus is 2 yrs old yet he's NEVER been home alone! I have a 90# 6 week old puppy! It's really hard right now as Bear is still Bear runs to the fridge for ice he can hold 10 ice cubes in his mouth at one time! Sad to say but ice is the best treat in the whole world! When my friend's come over with their dogs the dogs head for the fridge and beg for ice! Try it with your pups let them know Bear said it's good.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Thinking of you. I know this will be hard to deal with, especially for Gus. I think your idea of starting to separate them is great. Bear will think he is getting some very special treatment, which is nice. Our family cairn terrier passed away from mouth cancer in June. He left behind a little sister, who was very lonely. Luckily I bring my dogs over frequently and they get playtime. Lucy girl is getting used to being an only dog now and is really changing into a much sweeter dog. She follows my mom everywhere now (that used to be big bro's job).