Mast Cell Tumors : Lessons Learned

[moochesmama]

Well she's in at the vets getting it removed as I type. They'll call soon hopefully with how the surgery went. I'm not sure how long the histopathology takes, but I'll post here with the results. Then benedryl has not done anything good for her personality, she is a nervous timid dog to begin with and the benedryl has made her a bit jumpy. Luckily she loves the vets and vet techs and feels really comfy there.

[julie64]

Julie how is Shay doing these days? Everything ok?

Shay has gone through alot of mood changes. She has become very clingy with me and little noises that never bothered her before scare her now.Tires very easy but still determined to play.
The 2 lumps on her right leg have gotten big. We take just everyday as it comes, she's not ready to go anywhere right now. We are looking forward to her tenth birthday in Aug.
Thanks for asking.

[moochesmama]

Good news today - Stage 1 with clean margins! I guess we're just on the look out for new bumps now. I'm so glad I get to quit with the 4 benedryls a day, 1 pepcid, 2 antibiotics and 1 rimadyl. We were running out of easy cheese.

Here is her incision after 5 days. It's like a mini tummy tuck.

[FBODGRL]

Great news

[PitBull-Lady]

Great News!

[kaytenmags]

maggie's got another little lump
going to call the vet this morning to get it looked at.

[ilovetyson]

glad it was stage one! yay!

[kaytenmags]

does anyone have some good info/links on canine cancer diets and/or boosting their immune system?

[FBODGRL]

does anyone have some good info/links on canine cancer diets and/or boosting their immune system?

I don't...but I do know that you need to stay away from grains. Raw would probably be best, but definitely switch to a grain free kibble. No grains and no sugars. The cancer feeds off them. I know I have seen links somewhere here for cancer diets, but I am not sure where it was.

[PitBull-Lady]

There is one link on page 1 of this topic. It seems most info you read though about cancer and raw diets is statement and not backed up by fact. I would like to see some studies if anyone has any to share

[FBODGRL]

There is one link on page 1 of this topic. It seems most info you read though about cancer and raw diets is statement and not backed up by fact. I would like to see some studies if anyone has any to share

I have some info from a couple raw books I have. If I have time I will read through those sections again and see what they are basing it off of. I would guess some of it is just the grain/sugar issue

[moochesmama]

Good thoughts to all who are still struggling with these awful bumps on their dogs

I was under the impression that one of the issues with mast cells tumors is that they are triggered/made worse by an overactive immune response. What prednisone (one of the main drug treatments) does is suppress the immune response. My understanding was that anything that ramps up immune responses might make mast cell tumors angry. Am I wrong?

ETA: Thanks for all the well wishes! It's been a big weight off my mind.

[FBODGRL]

Good thoughts to all who are still struggling with these awful bumps on their dogs

I was under the impression that one of the issues with mast cells tumors is that they are triggered/made worse by an overactive immune response. What prednisone (one of the main drug treatments) does is suppress the immune response. My understanding was that anything that ramps up immune responses might make mast cell tumors angry. Am I wrong?

ETA: Thanks for all the well wishes! It's been a big weight off my mind.

That is what I heard/believe as well. Which is why especially in higher grades removing the tumors creates more of a problem than good, because it cause the immune system to kick in to heal thus creating more tumors.

[julie64]

Good thoughts to all who are still struggling with these awful bumps on their dogs

I was under the impression that one of the issues with mast cells tumors is that they are triggered/made worse by an overactive immune response. What prednisone (one of the main drug treatments) does is suppress the immune response. My understanding was that anything that ramps up immune responses might make mast cell tumors angry. Am I wrong?

ETA: Thanks for all the well wishes! It's been a big weight off my mind.

That is what I heard/believe as well. Which is why especially in higher grades removing the tumors creates more of a problem than good, because it cause the immune system to kick in to heal thus creating more tumors.

Great news for Puny. I also believe this. I think if I would have kept removing Shay's lumps she wouldn't be here today. Dealing with Shays mast cell has been quite the learning process for me. I am so thankful for everyday she is still here and still gets into mishief.

[FBODGRL]

Great news for Puny. I also believe this. I think if I would have kept removing Shay's lumps she wouldn't be here today. Dealing with Shays mast cell has been quite the learning process for me. I am so thankful for everyday she is still here and still gets into mishief.