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Urinary Bladder Cancer in Dogs
What is Urinary Bladder Cancer ?
Rhabdomyosarcoma is a soft-tissue sarcoma which forms near the region of the bladder known as the trigone. In some cases, the tumor can occur on the wall of the bladder. The mass appears as a cluster of round bulges (similar in appearance to a cluster of grapes) and can force itself into the bladder and fill up the urethra. This type of cancer is rare and can occur in dogs that are large breed and young in age.
Urinary bladder cancer, also called rhabdomyosarcoma, is a type of cancer found in the muscle walls of the bladder or the trigone. While this cancer is very rare, it has a good prognosis if diagnosed in the early stages and treated accordingly.
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Symptoms of Urinary Bladder Cancer in Dogs
Signs of urinary bladder cancer are sometimes confused with a kidney or urinary tract infection. It takes a veterinary exam to rule out any type of infection before giving the diagnosis of rhabdomyosarcoma. Clinical symptoms include:
- Straining to urinate
- Urinating frequently with little flow
- Blood in the urine
- Blocked urethra
- Malaise or restlessness
- Lameness
Types
The tumors of botryoid rhabdomyosarcoma can be found in two different places, depending on the dog and, at times, the breed of the dog. Certain breeds are more susceptible to others in terms of characteristics of tumors, such as size and location.
- Urinary bladder cancer, or botryoid rhabdomyosarcoma, is usually found near the trigone. The trigone is the smooth region inside the bladder, shaped like a triangle. Many of the tumors are located close to the trigone.
- In some cases, the tumors can be located on the urinary bladder wall. This area is not connected with the trigone.
Causes of Urinary Bladder Cancer in Dogs
Urinary Bladder Cancer (Rhabdomyosarcoma) in Dogs is quite rare, with only one-percent of canines being diagnosed with this type of cancer. There is still much research being conducted on rhabdomyosarcoma in canines. This soft-tissue cancer can be caused by:
- Genetics
- Wastewater parasites
- Trauma to the muscle
- Foreign bodies
- Orthopedic implants
Diagnosis of Urinary Bladder Cancer in Dogs
If you suspect your companion may have bladder cancer, track the symptoms. If your canine has trouble urinating, acts as if he is in pain, has blood in the urine, or any of the other signs listed above, immediately call your veterinarian. If you are able to do so, collecting a urine sample may help the veterinarian do preliminary testing on the specimen, but may not be necessary. The veterinarian will tell you what to do if anything needs to be done before the appointment.
To diagnose the issue, the veterinarian will conduct a physical examination that will include complete blood work, rectal examination, complete urinalysis with a urine culture, a serum biochemistry profile, electromagnetic radiation imaging of the thorax, abdomen, and bladder. The veterinarian will be looking for specific signs of the cancer, such as a thickened wall of the muscle in the urethra or trigone bladder region, enlarged lymph nodes, or any mass in the bladder. The veterinarian will also check for a bladder that is distended.
The veterinarian will be very careful during the diagnosis to prevent the tumor (if present) from seeding. He will use a carefully inserted catheter to collect the urine if it cannot be collected freely.
Treatment of Urinary Bladder Cancer in Dogs
There are several different modes of treatment for urinary bladder cancer in dogs.
Emergency Surgery
- The location of the trigone and lesions on the urethra prevent surgery from being performed successfully. Surgery is only used for emergency treatment, such as in removing large tissues from any lesions or with an obstruction of the urinary tract.
Radiation
- Radiation can be used successfully in checking any tumor growth, but complications can arise. The dog can become incontinent, develop an inflammation of the bladder, and have even more difficulty in urinating. In some cases, though, radiation can be effective along with chemotherapy in the eradication of the tumors.
Chemotherapy
- With chemotherapy, the treatment and type of drugs are decided in accordance with the specific types of tumors, where they are located, the size, and of the course the stage of the cancer and if it has metastasized. With smaller lesions, chemotherapy can be effective and can lead to remission. This is if the cancer is caught in the early stages.
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Recovery of Urinary Bladder Cancer in Dogs
During chemotherapy, nutrition is vital to keeping the dog healthy and thriving. Your veterinarian will give you options and advice on nutrition to enable your loved one to react to the chemotherapy or other treatment in the most positive way possible.
The veterinarian will want to see the dog at regular intervals during treatment, and after treatment is complete. Having regular veterinary visits ensures the dog is doing well and if anything happens health wise, it can be addressed immediately, rather than waiting. Being proactive is important during and after treatment.
If this cancer is caught in the early stages, remission is quite possible. The outlook of this disease, after treatment, is considered good. With treatment, the dogs that have rhabdomyosarcoma of the bladder can survive. About one-third of dogs diagnosed with this type of cancer succumb to the disease.
Urinary Bladder Cancer Average Cost
From 367 quotes ranging from $3,000 - $15,000
Average Cost
$9,500
Top
Urinary Bladder Cancer Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Ridgeback mix
Calvin
15 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Difficulty Urinating
I have a 50 lb ridgeback mix who is 15 years old. He has severe arthritis, a fused spine from a break and is missing a front leg. Without Adequan and pain med's he can't walk. An x-ray shows a mass in his prostate/bladder and he had blood in his urine and pain with urination which cleared with anitbiotics. My vet said he can do ultrasound, urinalysis and blood work to determine the type of mass and potentially treat it but I am concerned about putting him through all of that at his age. I am managing his pain and am really torn about putting him through so much at his age and in his condition. What would you recommend?
June 19, 2018
1 Recommendations
Ultrasound, urinalysis and blood tests are not really invasive except for ultrasound may be a little distressing with the probe; it would be a good idea however to go through those tests just to gather more information. Once you have more information from the ultrasound etc… you will be more informed to make decisions. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
June 20, 2018
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miniature poodle
Angel
6 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Blood In Urine
My dog has had recurring uti's for about s year, this one she has had 2 weeks and not cleared up. There is very little bacteria in her wee and no crystals have grown from the sample. The vet wants to do X-rays and take a wee sample from the bladder . Could it be something else rather than bladder cancer?
If it was that I would put her down straight away as I don't want to see her deteriate any more and suffer, I font know if that's right or wrong tho?
She is weeping all the time and it's is nearly all blood and I know she is pain now as she squatting for age's and nothing is comming out just blood , then she will lick herself . I'm scared I'm going to have to lose my dog
April 20, 2018
0 Recommendations
An x-ray or ultrasound is the next step in a case like this, however if it is bladder cancer (transitional cell carcinoma) treatments like piroxicam show good management. Other possible causes may be due to trauma, clotting disorders, low level poisoning, kidney disease among other causes. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
April 21, 2018
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Urinary Bladder Cancer Average Cost
From 367 quotes ranging from $3,000 - $15,000
Average Cost
$9,500
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Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
