Tumors originating in the bladder are the most commonly reported in dogs and can cause obstruction of the urine. Surgery is indicated in cases where tumor is affecting a small extension or as a palliative treatment in large tumors. The objective of this study is to report the importance of the surgery even when performed palliatively in the treatment of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC).

A dog (female, Schnauzer, six years, weighing 6.7 kg) was treated at a clinic in Minas Gerais, Brazil, with polyuria and mild cystitis for 15 days without previous surgery. The rectal touch noted an irregular mass in the pelvic urethra region; after additional tests the animal was sent for surgery. A mass involving the urethra, bladder and cervix was visualized. All mass was removed, and histopathological examination diagnosed a TCC in the urethra with primary origin the bladder.

Postoperative therapy with tramadol hydrochloride and dipyrone, amoxicillin with clavulanic acid and meloxicam was instituted. The animal remained plumbed to prevent urethral stricture. The TCC is the most common primary malignancy of the urinary bladder in the dog. Therapies have been evaluated to treat the TCC (among them, surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, medical treatment and palliation). This report concludes it's important to have knowledge of the TCC; it is one of the differential diagnoses of urinary tract diseases. And the institution of surgery allows locating and defining the size of the neoplastic mass, including aiding prognosis. In this case, 30 days after the surgery, the patient is in stable condition.