Nobody wants to learn that their dog has cancer, much less bladder cancer. Bladder cancer in dogs is a serious, potentially fatal condition that affects how a dog urinates. Thankfully, in recent years, advances in veterinary science have yielded a wider range of treatment options, with some interventions able to help affected dogs thrive for years.
Key Points
Learn more about the signs, treatments, and prevention of canine bladder cancer.
What Is Bladder Cancer?
Dr. Shelly Vaden, DVM, is a professor of nephrology and urology at North Carolina State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. She is also a founding member of the American College of Veterinary Nephrology and Urology, a specialty college committed to advancing the study of kidney and urinary medicine through education, research, and hands-on training.
Over the course of her career, Dr. Vaden has seen bladder cancer transform from a life-ending diagnosis to one that could benefit from targeted treatment and early intervention.
“We’ve always thought of bladder cancer as being this kind of devastating disease that causes urethral obstruction and eventually irritable ureteral obstruction, which is to say that the outflow of urine from the kidney to the bladder is obstructed,” she explains. “But what we kind of recently found is that maybe there’s a subset of dogs where it’s more indolent, and we’ve had dogs that with bladder balances that we followed that lived for years … It’s a spectrum of disorders in these dogs.”
Bladder cancer isn’t the most common type of canine cancer, only accounting for 2% of diagnoses. While any dog is vulnerable to this condition, some breeds are at a higher risk.
“The most common breed is the Scottish Terrier,” Dr. Vaden says. “We also see it in Beagles, we see it in Shetland Sheepdogs, [and] West Highland White [Terriers]. They’re more predisposed, so much they have a higher frequency than the rest of the population.”
Symptoms of Bladder Cancer
Often, the symptoms of bladder cancer overlap with those found in more common urinary tract infections (UTIs). In fact, many cases of bladder cancer are initially diagnosed as UTIs and are only examined further when antibiotics prove unsuccessful.
“You should see resolution of the signs within 24 to 48 hours,” Dr. Vaden says. “So, if [owners are] not seeing resolution after 48 hours, they need to reach out and address that with their veterinarian.”
Aside from painful urination, straining to urinate, and poor-quality streams, bloody urine is another symptom of bladder cancer.
“Blood in the urine should always take an owner to the veterinarian,” says Dr. Vaden. “It could be a urinary tract infection, but that could also be a sign of bladder carcinoma.”
Prognosis for Bladder Cancer
The prognosis for bladder cancer depends on many factors, including the dog’s age, their quality of life, and the stage of the cancer.
“When we’re diagnosing them very early, they’re living for years,” Dr. Vaden says. But this isn’t always the case, unfortunately. “It’s just highly variable,”
You may consider implementing a palliative care plan if your dog’s cancer has metastasized to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, bones, liver, and lungs. Your vet may recommend prioritizing your dog’s comfort rather than aiming for recovery. In advanced cases, they may recommend euthanasia, which can be performed at home with the help of a veterinary professional.
Other treatment options include:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).These medications aim to reduce pain and discomfort by targeting certain hormones and enzymes in the body.
- Tumor ablation. A veterinary surgeon may use an electrical tool or cauterizing device to remove the tumor from the bladder.
- Urethral stent. Here, a surgeon places a small, hollow tube in the urethra to allow the flow of urine from the kidneys.
- Chemotherapy. Your veterinarian may suggest chemotherapy, a drug-based procedure that aims to slow or kill rapidly multiplying cancer cells.
- Radiation. Considered the best treatment for bladder cancer, this therapy involves using a high dose of radiation to interfere with how cancer cells can replicate.
“There is a spectrum of how long you’d expect dogs to respond,” Dr. Vaden says. “You know, they’re not going to live as long with nothing, a little bit longer with non-steroidal, a little bit longer with chemotherapy, [and] the longest with radiation therapy.”
Preventing Bladder Cancer
Although research hasn’t yet established a definitive cause and effect to bladder cancer, it has revealed some links. For example, Dr. Vaden notes that smoking indoors can increase a dog’s risk of developing bladder cancer.
“Even firefighters have a higher incidence of bladder cancer from smoke. So, smoke’s bad,” she says. “Cigarette smoke and passive inhalation of cigarette smoke makes bad for the bladder. And then there are other environmental toxins, too, that we’re just starting to kind of unveil.”
Another prevention method doesn’t relate to preventing the development of bladder cancer but instead making an informed decision when purchasing from an ethical breeder. Depending on the breed and parent club requirements, breeders may conduct and show evidence of genetic testing. One of those tests may include the BRAF test, which screens for the mutation connected to bladder cancer. If a puppy parent tests for this mutation, they shouldn’t be bred, even if they don’t have symptoms and are otherwise healthy.
Importance of Consulting Your Dog’s Veterinarian
If you notice anything unusual regarding your pet’s urination, make note of any abnormalities and consult their veterinarian. However, if you notice blood in your dog’s urine, or your dog stops eating, you should seek immediate veterinary attention. These symptoms could signify kidney failure, which can become life-threatening without treatment.
“Just know that there are things out there that can be done, and a lot of these are very expensive,” Dr. Vaden remarks. “Getting pet insurance if you have a new puppy now is really helpful, because you know, some of these major expenses as they get older can be really alleviated if [owners] have pet insurance.”
This article is intended solely as general guidance, and does not constitute health or other professional advice. Individual situations and applicable laws vary by jurisdiction, and you are encouraged to obtain appropriate advice from qualified professionals in the applicable jurisdictions. We make no representations or warranties concerning any course of action taken by any person following or otherwise using the information offered or provided in this article, including any such information associated with and provided in connection with third-party products, and we will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary or other damages that may result, including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness or death.