Mast Cell Tumors

[Hotpepper]

Do u have any experience with these? My old boy has 2 and we will be taking them off on the 11th.

I understand they can be very lethal if not handled correctly.

Tell me what u know please

Pepper

[Cajun Casey]

How were the tumors scored? Mast cell is very common and not too dangerous, although the tendency for a dog to form additional tumors is rather depressing. The tumors contain histamine and can cause some terrible allergic reactions upon removal, especially if the entire thing isn't excised.

Most of my old dogs have gotten them with no ill effects. If they are rapid growing, I have them removed. Never really had an issue from them.

[Hotpepper]

gOOD INFO, THANKS FOR GIVIN. wILL BE REMOVED ON THE 11TH

JERRY

[Cajun Casey]

Ask your vet about putting your dog on Benadryl or Chlortrimeton (less loopy behavior) before surgery. I've known of several cases where that helped the post surgical allergic reaction tremendously. Good luck!

[Vonzeppelinkennels]

I hope all goes for the best Jerry,good luck to you & LB.
Take Care

[IL.ROOSTER]

I had a vizsla that was 3 years old that developed one on her inner thigh.It was removed and tested.It came back as level three.Was sent to a cancer specialist who began chemo right away.During chemo she got another tumor which was removed.The cancer vet told me she had 6 months to 2 years when I first broght her in.I lost the most irreplaceable dog I have ever owned,6 months to that day that she told me that.I will never put a dog through chemo again,you can't beat cancer.
Sorry for the rant,not trying to scare you,this is a very painful wound that will never heal.I guess it depends on what level it comes back as.I wish you the best of luck and keep us informed.

[TXLabMan]

What is the location of the Tumors? I have also lost a good dog to mast cell cancer. Make sure your vet is certain he can get wide margins around the Tumors, like a full centimeter or more all the way around and deep. If he is uncertain, take him to a specialist. Clean margins is very important. Upon removal have them submitted to pathologist and report back with the grade and also the mitotic index. If under 5, on either grade II or III you could be just fine. A high grade II can be deadly, like within months deadly. I have been there. I don't want to scare you, but these are not just fatty Tumors. Also, if it was me, during surgery I would have them take a needle biopsy of the nearest lymph node to see if it has spread there. I am not a vet, FYI. I don't check in often, but pm me and I will give you my phone, email and happy to walk you through the process. Most mast cells are nothing, some can be killers.

[Cajun Casey]

I have a nine year old pointer that had a mast cell tumor removed five and a half years ago. She has developed a couple of others, but they don't bother her and we don't bother them. My other mast cell dog, also a pointer, lived six years after his was removed. I didn't have extensive pathology done on either.

[joachimt]

I had a 5 year old GSP who had one on her inner ear. It was removed but eventually came back. She had it removed again but she developed more on her head and neck. The one on her neck was the size of a golf ball. Had that one removed and eventually went to a specialist. Put her on one dose of chemo and that night had a seizure that didnt stop. took her in at 10:00 pm and she died the next morning. I think it was the chemo drug that did it. I would be very cautious about using some of these chemo drugs. I may have had her for another year or two if I didnt do that. Its been 3 years and it still hurts thinking about it. We dealt with these tumors for almost 2 years so if there is anything else you want to know I have quite a bit of info. Good luck.