Hi I am Rocco331's Grandma. In short form Rocco is an 8 year old Rottweiler, diagnosed 10/28/10 with Osteosarcoma. He had a very large fast growing tumor in his left rear leg. X-rays and ultrsound revealed lungs were clear but a two inch growth in the spleen. That was biopsied and shown to be benign. He had the leg amputated on 11/6. Carboplatin chemo was started on Nov. 16th. He has had three rounds so far. This morning he had a couple of drops of blood at the end of his peepee. When he urinates it looks normal. Our vet is out of town. Could it be a result of the chemo? A urine infection? Or the cancer spreading? Or all thee?

No Rocco is not on anything right now except the carboplatin every 21 days (this month was moved to 28 days due to vet being out of town). He has been doing quite well, has quite a bit of fatigue for about a week after chemo but blood counts have been very good.

I have been thinking about starting him on K9 Immunity but am struggling to get through paying for the chemo first.

Slightly more than half way through her chemotherapy protocol, Miss Cherry started to dump blood in her urine. While it started slowly, the quantity grew and there was the tell-tale smell. All cultures of the urine were negative, and while it did mediate after we started antibiotics, it was not the result of any infection. Rather, a growth on Cherry's kidney that was found during her first consultation with the surgery/oncology team was the source of the blood. This was confirmed with an ultrasound during her next visit to the oncology. We never really determined the nature of this growth, but it was all but disappeared during this second ultrasound. You can read about this incident in Cherry's Tripawd Journey Journal for the period of time inquestion. It will be at the beginning of the link provided.

I would take Susan's suggestion of taking a urine sample into the vet as soon as possible. This might give you clues to what is going on specifically. Also, Miss Cherry's experience took place between Christmas 2009 and New Year's 2010. This was almost exactly one year before we ultimately lost her to the Osteosarcoma. A very wonderful year with my very senior partner.

Spirit Cherry's Dad

PS: It is the ability to go back and reference exactly what was happening that makes me continue to suggest that one might want to keep a very detailed journal during their tripawd journey.

Great news!! It is not cancer related at all!

Rocco has somehow injured the tip of his Penis (ouch, I know) and that is why he has had a few drops of blood each time he lays down somewhere. The vet tested his urine and it was fine, no blood or bacteria or anything. We are so relieved and happy.