Mast cell tumor and chemo

[VC_Reno]

I just wanted to send you and Barney lots and lots of healing vibes. I hope he does well with the chemo.

[julie64]

This site has some good info.
http://www.dogcancer.net/diet.html

Good luck to Barney!! Please keep us posted.

[mtlu]

:hug:

I just wanted to send you and Barney lots and lots of healing vibes. I hope he does well with the chemo.

x2! I don't have any experience with MCT but I wish for the best outcome for Barney!

As for food, I noticed in another thread that you are feeding TOTW Pacific Stream. If he tolerates food changes well, you could try Orijen 6 Fish or Wellness Core Ocean; both of these are also grain-free and IMO probably even better quality than TOTW (which I am currently feeding as well).

We usually add a spoonful of wet food to my dog's kibble and we recently tried Wellness 95%: http://www.wellnesspetfood.com/dog_well ... lmon.html#
It also comes in chicken, beef, turkey, and lamb. I don't know if Barney has any allergy issues at all but the Wellness 95% canned makes it easy to limit ingredients/protein sources if you have any known food allergy issues.

[tiva]

Last year, our pit cross Tiva had a mast cell tumor, high grade II as well, and they couldn't get clear margins when they excised it. She was about 12. Luckily, the tumor was in her tail, so we elected for a tail amputation rather than radiation, and the vet advised against chemo. A year later, she's completely fine, so we just hope they don't come back.

I would ask your vet if they got clean margins when they removed the tumor (I'm guessing they did; otherwise, my understanding is that they'd be talking to you about radiation). My understanding is also that dogs tend to tolerate the chemo quite well.

Good luck! Even though Tiva's experience was different, I hope it's reassuring to know that many dogs come through grade II mast cell tumors quite well.

[Misskiwi67]

Also ask for a referral to an oncologist if you aren't seeing one already. There is a new drug on the market, or it will be out very very soon specifically designed for mast cell tumors.