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Bladder Cancer in Dogs

By the Dog Health Handbook team · Updated · Fact-checked against current veterinary references (see sources)

Key takeaways

  • Bladder cancer signs look like a urinary infection: blood in the urine, straining and frequent urination.
  • Suspect cancer when infections keep coming back or don't clear with antibiotics.
  • Scottish Terriers have about 18 to 20 times the usual risk.
  • A urine BRAF test detects most cases; a biopsy still confirms it.
  • With medical treatment, many dogs live about 7 to 12 months with good quality of life.

Table of Contents

Research Signs Risk factors Diagnosis Treatment Life expectancy Prevention FAQ Sources

Cancer Quicklinks

Summary Symptoms Lymphoma Hemangiosarcoma Mast Cell Tumors Bone Cancer Mouth Cancer Treatment Diet

Bladder cancer in dogs is usually transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), also called urothelial carcinoma, an invasive cancer of the bladder lining that most often grows at the bladder neck (trigone). It makes up about 2% of canine cancers.1,2,3 Its signs, such as blood in the urine, straining and frequent urination, look just like a urinary tract infection.1,4 Scottish Terriers have about 18 to 20 times the usual risk.1,5 Surgery rarely cures it, but with an NSAID-class medicine and chemotherapy many dogs live about 7 to 12 months with good quality of life, and some live 2 years or more.1,2

Go to a vet right away if your dog:

  • Is straining to urinate but producing little or no urine. A blocked bladder is an emergency.2,6

Ask your vet about bladder cancer if your dog:

  • Has a urinary tract infection that keeps coming back or doesn't clear with the right antibiotics4,2
  • Is an older Scottish Terrier, Sheltie, Beagle, West Highland White Terrier or Wire Fox Terrier with blood in the urine1

What the Research Says

  • A urine test detects most cases. The BRAF mutation was found in the urine of 83% of dogs with urothelial carcinoma and in none of 37 dogs without cancer in a 2015 study.7
  • Treated lawns were linked to higher risk. In a Scottish Terrier study, lawns treated with herbicides and insecticides were linked to about seven times the risk.1
  • Medical treatment gives months of good life. At Purdue, dogs on an NSAID-class tablet alone lived a median of 244 days, and combinations with chemotherapy about 250 to 300 days.1
  • The primary tumor is often what limits life. Even though spread is common, the bladder tumor itself is the most common cause of death in one specialist review, so controlling it matters.4

Signs of Bladder Cancer in Dogs

  • Blood in the urine1,8
  • Straining, painful or slow urination1,8
  • Frequent attempts to urinate and accidents in the house1
  • Repeated urinary infections2,4
  • Less often, lameness from spread to bone or a bone reaction called hypertrophic osteopathy1

Dogs with TCC get infections easily, and an infection can make signs suddenly worse.1 See blood in dog urine, urinary tract infections and bladder stones, which cause similar signs.

Risk Factors

  • Breeds: Scottish Terriers (18 to 20 times the risk); Shetland Sheepdogs, Beagles, West Highland White Terriers and Wire Fox Terriers (3 to 5 times)1
  • Age and sex: usually older dogs, around 9 to 10 years, and more often females8,9
  • Exposures: lawn herbicides and insecticides, older flea dips, cigarette smoke and obesity1,3

Diagnosis

  • Urine tests: a urinalysis can sometimes show cancer cells, but finds them in fewer than half of cases.9
  • BRAF urine test: can detect most bladder cancers without surgery, but about 1 in 5 tumors lacks the mutation, and specialists disagree on how often false positives occur.7,10,1,2
  • Ultrasound and CT show the tumor, how deep it goes and whether lymph nodes are enlarged.9,4
  • Biopsy: taken through a camera (cystoscopy) or a catheter. This is still the way to confirm the diagnosis.1,4
  • Chest X-rays check for spread to the lungs.4

Vets avoid collecting urine or samples with a needle through the belly when cancer is suspected, because this can spread tumor cells.3,4,9 About 1 in 5 dogs has visible spread when diagnosed, and lymph node involvement is often found when nodes are checked closely.1,9

Treatment

Medical treatment

An NSAID-class medicine (a COX inhibitor) is the backbone of treatment, often combined with chemotherapy. These medicines are usually continued for as long as your dog tolerates them.1,2,4 Low-dose daily (metronomic) chemotherapy is another option.1 Stomach or gut irritation from the NSAID affects fewer than 1 in 5 dogs, and serious chemotherapy side effects affect fewer than 1 in 20.1 Antibiotics are given only when there's evidence of infection.1

Surgery

Surgery is usually not possible because the tumor sits at the bladder neck. When a tumor is in another part of the bladder, part of the bladder can be removed, but the cancer often comes back.1,4,9 Removing the whole bladder is rarely done and leaves dogs incontinent for life.4,9

Radiation

Radiation can control tumor growth, but traditional courses can scar the bladder. Newer precise (stereotactic) radiation gave good local control in a small study.1,4

Relieving a blockage

If the tumor blocks the urethra, a stent can be placed across it to let urine flow again, usually with a next-day discharge. About 1 in 4 dogs becomes incontinent afterward, and the approximate US cost is $6,000 to $7,500 (Texas A&M, 2024).6,11 A tube from the bladder through the belly wall is another option.4,1

Life Expectancy

TreatmentMedian survival
NSAID-class tablet aloneAbout 8 months (244 days)1
NSAID plus chemotherapyAbout 8 to 10 months (250 to 300 days)1
Metronomic chemotherapyAbout 7 months (221 days)1
Surgery aloneAbout 3.5 months (109 days)1
Urethral stent aloneUnder 3 months6

Figures come from university programs and vary widely. Some dogs live more than 2 years.1,2 Your vet or oncologist can estimate your dog's outlook.

Can Bladder Cancer Be Prevented?

  • Avoid lawns treated with herbicides and insecticides, especially for high-risk breeds.1
  • Avoid older-style flea dips and cigarette smoke, and keep your dog at a healthy weight.1,3
  • In one Scottish Terrier study, dogs fed vegetables at least three times a week had lower risk.1,3
  • Screening with ultrasound and urine tests found early, symptom-free cancers in Scottish Terriers. Ask your vet about screening for high-risk breeds.1

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can a dog live with bladder cancer?

With an NSAID-class medicine and chemotherapy, many dogs live about 7 to 12 months, and some live 2 years or more.

How can I tell bladder cancer from a UTI?

The signs are the same. Suspect cancer when infections keep coming back or don't clear with antibiotics, and ask about an ultrasound.

What is the BRAF test for dogs?

A urine test that detects a mutation found in most canine bladder cancers. A biopsy is still used to confirm the diagnosis.

Is bladder cancer painful for dogs?

Straining and frequent, painful urination are uncomfortable. Ask your vet about pain relief, and see a vet right away if your dog can't pass urine.

Which dogs get bladder cancer?

Mostly older dogs, especially Scottish Terriers, Shelties, Beagles, Westies and Wire Fox Terriers.

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Sources and further reading

This article was rewritten and fact-checked on October 28, 2026 against current veterinary references and specialist guidelines:

  1. Purdue Werling Comparative Oncology Research Center. Urinary Bladder Cancer Research. Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, updated July 30, 2026.
  2. Van Vertloo L (reviewed by Carnevale J). Neoplasia of the Urinary System in Small Animals. Merck Veterinary Manual (professional version), reviewed March 2025, updated April 2025.
  3. Merck Veterinary Manual. 12-year-old dog with bloody urine (case study). Merck Veterinary Manual case studies, accessed October 2026.
  4. Boston S. Transitional cell carcinoma in dogs. EVC Voorjaarsdagen, Amsterdam, 2014 (hosted by IVIS).
  5. Knapp DW, Dhawan D, Ramos-Vara JA, et al. Naturally-occurring invasive urothelial carcinoma in dogs, a unique model to drive advances in managing muscle invasive bladder cancer in humans. Frontiers in Oncology 2020;9:1493.
  6. Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. Urethral stent information sheet. Texas A&M University, 2024.
  7. Mochizuki H, Shapiro SG, Breen M. Detection of BRAF mutation in urine DNA as a molecular diagnostic for canine urothelial and prostatic carcinoma. PLOS ONE 2015;10(12):e0144170.
  8. Brown SA. Noninfectious Diseases of the Urinary System in Dogs. Merck Veterinary Manual (pet owner version), reviewed June 2018, updated May 2026.
  9. Romanelli G. Bladder and urethral neoplasia: what's new? ECVS Annual Scientific Meeting, Italy, 2013 (hosted by IVIS).
  10. Gentilini F, Palgrave CJ, Neta M, Tornago R, Furlanello T, McKay JS, Sacchini F, Turba ME. Validation of a liquid biopsy protocol for canine BRAFV595E variant detection in dog urine and its evaluation as a diagnostic test complementary to cytology. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2022;9:909934.
  11. Lulich JP. Evaluation of temporary urethral stents in the management of malignant and nonmalignant urethral diseases in dogs. Veterinary Sciences 2022;9(2):63.

About this article

Last updated : fully rewritten using Purdue University's comparative oncology program, the Merck Veterinary Manual, Texas A&M, studies published 2015 to 2022 and IVIS-hosted proceedings; added the research summary, signs, BRAF test, treatment, survival table, prevention, key takeaways and FAQ.

This page is for general information and is not a substitute for an exam by your veterinarian.