Cancer specialists suggest checking for other causes of cystitis

The cancer specialists called the vet and spoke to Sharon today, who then spoke to me.

They have suggested that we should eliminate any other cause of the cystitis as it's very rare (although not impossible) for the Cyclophosphamide to cause it so quickly. However, it's possible (and he thinks more likely) that it could have triggered something that was already underlying. He suggested that we try him on some tri-cyclic anti-depressants (as the Valium didn't work), as these have an analgesic in them that acts on neurological pain. He did also say that it may be a matter of trial-and-error to find something that works. (And of course, as the Cyclophosphamide should be working its way out of his system, maybe it'll clear up by itself anyway.) The tri-cyclics will probably take up to a week to start working.

So the plan now is that when I go in for his regular weekly appointment on Monday morning, we'll plan to x-ray his abdomen too. If he'll stay quiet enough, we'll do this without sedation. If that doesn't show anything, the next stage will be to insert a catheter and inflate the bladder and see if that helps to show anything. (This is the point at which he'll probably find it uncomfortable - I'm sure he would anyway, and the cystitis will make it more irritating, I'm sure. Assuming he won't stay calm enough, they'll have to sedate him then.) If THAT doesn't show anything, then they can also introduce a colouring agent which will contrast more with the air and show any blockages or anything that might be present.

If none of that shows anything, then we can work on the assumption that he's just very sensitive to the drugs and stop worrying about anything else that might need treatment.

In the meantime, I've been to collect the Amitriptyline tri-cyclics and some more antibiotics to start him on them tonight.