Case Description: A 6 year-old spayed female Bouvier des Flandres dog was presented with a chief complaint of dysuria. History and previous diagnostics were consistent with a diagnosis of transitional cell carcinoma.
Clinical Findings: A mass associated with the urethra was palpated digitally along the floor of the rectum. Cytologic evaluation of vaginal discharge revealed a predominance of neoplastic transitional cells displaying numerous criteria of malignancy. Abdominal ultrasound examination revealed diffuse caudal abdominal lymphadenopathy and results of aspiration cytology showed evidence of regional lymph node metastasis. Treatment and Outcome: The patient was discharged from the hospital on oral piroxicam at a dose of 0.3mg/kg/day; however, within 17 days of returning home, dysuria progressed to complete anuria. Euthanasia was ultimately elected. Clinical Relevance: Transitional cell carcinoma is the most common neoplasia of the lower urinary tract in dogs. Late diagnosis is common and may lead to a poor prognosis.