Mast cell tumors in dogs are masters of disguise and can sometimes have serious consequences for a dog’s health. By sharing both pictures of mast cell tumors in dogs and a comprehensive guide, you’ll learn the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis for mast cell tumors from integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby. And, if you’re facing a difficult decision on when to stop fighting mast cell tumors in dogs, help is here.
You may have found a small mass on your dog that seems to have appeared overnight. Or maybe the mass had been there for years. But suddenly it looks red and swollen and now your dog won’t stop licking it. Or perhaps you didn’t even know your dog had a mass until your veterinarian found it during a routine physical exam.
All of these scenarios could have the same troubling diagnosis—a mast cell tumor. This is the most common type of skin cancer in dogs, making up 16-21% of skin tumors in dogs.
Unfortunately, a mast cell tumor diagnosis may open a can of worms for you and your dog.
- What is a mast cell tumor in dogs?
- What are the symptoms of mass cell tumors in dogs?
- What does a mast cell tumor in dogs look like?
- What are the causes of mast cell tumors in dogs?
- Which dogs are more likely to develop mast cell tumors?
- How is a mast cell tumor diagnosed?
- What is the treatment for a mast cell tumor in dogs?
- What is the prognosis for mast cell tumors?
- When do you stop fighting mast cell tumors in dogs?
- Don't Wait—Aspirate!
- Do you have personal experience with mast cell tumors in dogs?
What is a mast cell tumor in dogs?
As the name implies, mast cell tumors (MCTs) are cancerous tumors of the skin or subcutaneous tissue that are made up of mast cells. Mast cells, a type of white blood cells, play an important role in the immune system. They are specifically designed to attack foreign invaders—usually parasites, but also allergens like dust or pollen.
Mast cells are full of granules that contain bioactive substances such as histamine and heparin. They can degranulate (i.e. dump the contents of their granules into the surrounding area) in response to stimuli such as a parasite or allergen. When this happens, the chemicals in the granules cause itching, redness, and swelling.
If mast cells become cancerous and divide rapidly in one location, they can form a mast cell tumor. Unlike normal mast cells, the tumor cells are unstable and can degranulate easily.
What are the symptoms of mass cell tumors in dogs?
Initially, you may just notice a lump that suddenly pops up on or under your dog’s skin. (More on what MCTs look like plus some dog mast cell tumor pictures soon). But about half of the dogs with mast cell tumors will show additional signs.
When the tumor degranulates, you may see mild symptoms like itching and swelling in the area around the tumor. Sometimes this can result in the dog scratching or licking the mast cell tumor. The area may puff up and get red, especially when the mass is handled or bumped, and then go back to normal.
However, it is also possible for dogs with MCTs to have signs of more severe systemic effects such as gastrointestinal ulceration, poor wound healing, or bruising and bleeding in the surrounding tissues. Affected dogs may also have a decreased blood pressure and even sudden death from anaphylaxis (i.e. a severe allergic reaction).
Note: Since manipulating a mast cell tumor can cause it to degranulate, it is very important that you don’t touch the tumor or let your dog lick, chew, or scratch at the tumor. This may mean that your dog needs to wear an E-collar to keep him or her from traumatizing the mast cell tumor.
What does a mast cell tumor in dogs look like?
As you can imagine, the potential for severe symptoms make mast cell tumors in dogs concerning. And these tumors are made more dangerous by the fact they can look like any other subcutaneous (i.e. under the skin) or skin tumor. They can also be anywhere on a dog’s body— trunk, head, legs, tail, ears, nose, paws, eyelids, etc. Canine mast cell tumors can be:
- Big or small
- Firm or squishy
- Raised above the skin or located under the skin
- Smooth or ulcerated (i.e. having an open surface or looking like the mast cell tumor burst)
- Pink or tan
- Hairless or haired
The pictures of mast cell tumors in dogs below show two of the many, many different presentations. The picture on the left shows a mast cell tumor under the skin near the dog’s anus. It looks very different from the dog’s mast cell tumor in the picture on the right, which was a raised, pink, hairless area on the side of the leg.
Mast cell tumors—the great pretenders
It is no surprise then that MCTs are know as “the great pretenders” in veterinary medicine.
I was reminded of this when my receptionist brought her Boxer, Charlie, in for a dental cleaning. She asked me to take a look at a new lump on Charlie’s side while he was there. Although the lump looked like a simple skin tag, we decided to aspirate it to be on the safe side. I’m so glad we did because it turned out this “skin tag” was actually a cutaneous mast cell tumor.
I was able to remove the tumor at the same time we did the dental. Thankfully, histopathology results indicated the mast cell tumor was low grade and completely excised so Charlie didn’t need any follow-up treatment.
I tell you this story to demonstrate how easy it can be to mistake mast cell tumors for a skin tag or lipoma in dogs. Plus, mast cell tumors may grow and shrink in size, fooling everyone into thinking they are an insect bite. For these reasons, pet owners (and sometimes veterinarians) may accidentally dismiss a mast cell tumor as being harmless. This is especially the case with well-differentiated MCTs.
Poorly differentiated vs well-differentiated mast cell tumors in dogs
When I use the term “differentiated,” what I am referring to is how much the tumor cells resemble and act like the original cells. All tumors are composed of neoplastic (i.e. cancerous) cells which originated from normal healthy cells. The more a neoplastic cell has changed from its cell of origin, the less well differentiated it is. Poorly-differentiated tumors tend to have cells that are harder to recognize, divide faster, and act more aggressively.
When it comes to mast cell tumors, well-differentiated tumors are slow growing. They may be present for months to years before they cause irritation to the surrounding tissue. As mentioned, without diagnostic testing it is easy to mistake them for a benign skin mass.
On the other hand, poorly-differentiated mast cell tumors usually grow much more rapidly than well-differentiated ones. The poorly-differentiated tumors also tend to degranulate more frequently, so the area around the tumor may be bruised or swollen. Aggressive tumors are also more likely to burst and start bleeding.
Single vs multiple mast cell tumors
Mast cell tumors are usually solitary tumors. But 11 to 14% of dogs will have more than one mast cell tumor at any given time. For example, a dog can have a well-differentiated mast cell tumor and a poorly-differentiated mast cell tumor on different areas of the body. Although they are there at the same time, these tumors are unrelated to one another.
In the dog mast cell tumor pictures below, both dogs have a single, large tumor.
Spread of mast cell tumors to other areas of the body
In rare cases, mast cell tumors in dogs may disseminate, spreading rapidly and growing throughout the body. The most common locations for spread include the dog’s lymph nodes, liver, and spleen. Additionally, some dogs may develop peritoneal effusion (i.e. fluid in the abdomen, giving a pot-bellied dog appearance) as a result of MCT spread.
What are the causes of mast cell tumors in dogs?
At this point, the cause of mast cell tumors is not well understood, but there are some theories. It is possible that chronic inflammation in the skin or exposure to irritating compounds may precipitate tumor formation. Plus, mutations in a specific gene, KIT, occurs in 10-45% of mast cell tumors in dogs. This mutation may cause mast cells to multiply out of control, leading to an MCT. Additionally, several other genetic mutations or genetic abnormalities might be tied to mast cell tumor formation.
Which dogs are more likely to develop mast cell tumors?
As we have established, mast cell tumors can look like anything. They can also occur in any dog of any age. While they are more common in middle-aged to older dogs, I have diagnosed several mast cell tumors in puppies under a year of age. There is no sex predilection. This means mast cell tumors occur equally in male and female dogs and spayed/neutered or intact dogs.
However, there is thought to be a genetic predisposition to developing mast cell tumors. This is because they are much more likely to occur in brachycephalic dogs of Bulldog descent such as:
- Boxers
- English Bulldogs
- Pugs
- Boston Terriers
The picture below shows a mast cell tumor on the upper lip of a Boston Terrier. In this case, the dog’s mast cell tumor presented as a pink, hairless area that really didn’t look that much like a tumor at all.
Mast cell tumors are also more common in:
- Labrador Retrievers
- Golden Retrievers
- Shar-peis
- Staffordshire Bull Terriers
- Jack Russell Terriers
How is a mast cell tumor diagnosed?
Whether your dog is on the above list of predisposed breeds or not, you need to be aware of mast cell tumors. And if you only take one thing away from this article, I hope it is this—if you find a mass on your dog, don’t ignore it. One of my friends, who happens to be a well-known veterinary oncologist, has a saying, “Don’t wait—aspirate!”
Fine needle aspiration
What does the “Don’t wait—aspirate!” message mean? If you or your vet find a new mass on your dog or if an existing skin mass is changing in size, color, or consistency, the best course of action is usually to start with having your vet perform a fine needle aspiration (FNA).
During an FNA procedure, the vet will insert a 22-gauge needle into the tumor and redirect it multiple times. This fills the shaft of the needle with tumor cells. Then the vet will transfer the cells to a slide and spread them out. After letting the slide dry and staining the material, the vet will examine it under the microscope.
The video below shows a veterinarian performing a fine needle aspiration on a lump that turned out to be a lipoma in dogs and not an MCT.
Your veterinarian may be able to diagnose a mast cell tumor in the clinic, especially if the cells have a typical appearance. Mast cells are normally round with dark-staining granules.
In some cases, the granules may not be visible with Diff-Quick (the typical stain the veterinary team would use). If your veterinarian suspects a mast cell tumor but doesn’t see the typical granules, he or she may recommend submitting the slides to a pathology lab. These labs have special stains to better identify mast cells.
Also, sometimes the veterinarian may not suspect an MCT initially. The FNA may look like an innocent skin mass, or a pocket of infection, especially if the granules don’t stain. In those cases, histopathology (i.e. biopsy) of the mass after surgical removal will reveal that the mass was actually a mast cell tumor.
Appearance of a mast cell tumor on FNA
The image below shows how mast cells in dogs may look under a microscope.
Histopathology
If the results of the fine needle aspiration show mast cells, your veterinarian will likely recommend removal of the tumor. After the tumor is surgically removed (which we will discuss later in this article), your veterinarian will probably suggest submitting the tumor to the laboratory for histopathology. Histopathology (i.e. biopsy) is the microscopic examination of all or part of the tumor tissue.
Clients often ask me why it is important to do histopathology if the FNA already indicated this was a mast cell tumor. I understand their concern because histopathology is an added expense. However, histopathology is the next step in the diagnostic process, and a very important one.
Histopathology can provide information to help determine the prognosis and next steps for your dog.
The FNA and biopsy give different information about the tumor
To help dog parents understand the distinction between cytology and histopathology, I like to use the analogy of a brick wall. Cytology is an examination of the bricks alone. Based on the FNA, the vet can often identify the “bricks” as mast cells.
At this point, the vet knows he or she is dealing with some sort of mast cell tumor. Since this is a type of cancer, the vet will need to take wide margins around the tumor to maximize the chances of removing all the tumor cells. If the “bricks” were something benign, the vet wouldn’t need to remove as much tissue around the tumor.
What the vet doesn’t know by looking at the bricks is what sort of structure they are part of. This is where histopathology comes in. It is the examination of the entire structure—the bricks, the mortar, and how they are arranged relative to one another to create a wall.
In other words, histopathology gives the information about the structure and appearance of the tumor as a whole. And it allows the pathologist to calculate the mitotic index (i.e. the number of cells that are dividing). This information can help predict biological behavior of the tumor and is necessary for determining the grade (and therefore prognosis) of the mast cell tumor.
Grading systems for mast cell tumors in dogs
Veterinary pathologists grade mast cell tumors using two different systems.
The older system, the Patnaik grading system, evaluates mast cell tumors on a scale of one to three.
- Grade I—well differentiated and surgical removal is often curative.
- Grade II—intermediately differentiated tumors. Some tumors behave somewhat aggressively while others can be cured by surgery alone.
- Grade III—poorly differentiated tumors that tend to be more aggressive.
There have been a lot of inconsistencies with this grading system, with most tumors fitting into a Grade II category. As a result, many pathologists now use the two-tier system. They will classify the tumors as either high-grade or low-grade. High grade tumors carry a worse prognosis because they have a higher rate of metastasis and a shorter survival time.
To reach a final consensus about grade, sometimes it is necessary for the veterinary pathologist to use additional stains and conduct further testing on the tissue samples. These special tests are most frequently used on Grade II tumors or tumors that have some characteristics of high grade and some of low grade.
Staging of mast cell tumors in dogs
Additionally, veterinarians or veterinary oncologists may classify mast cell tumors into different stages depending on the number of mast cells tumors and whether or not the mast cell tumor has metastasized to other locations. In order to gather the necessary information for staging, the vet may recommend an FNA of lymph nodes near the tumor and/or an abdominal ultrasound to look for signs of metastasis. Occasionally, the dog may also need a bone marrow aspirate.
One potential staging system for mast cell tumors in dogs, which is based on the World Health Organization staging guidelines, is as follows:
- Stage 0—no spread to lymph nodes and the dog had one tumor which was excised from the skin
- Stage I—no spread to regional lymph nodes and there was one tumor confined to the skin
- Stage II—tumor has spread to regional lymph nodes but there is only a single tumor confined to the skin
- Stage III—tumor is large and deeply invading surrounding tissue or dog has multiple MCTs with or without spread to the lymph nodes
- Stage IV—tumor has spread to distant locations
Each of these stages can also be broken down into a “substage a or b” depending on if the dog is showing clinical signs. Dogs in “substage a” are not showing any signs from the mast cell tumor, while “substage b” dogs are clinically ill.
What is the treatment for a mast cell tumor in dogs?
In order to use histopathology to confirm the tumor is a mast cell tumor and grade the tumor, the veterinary pathologist needs part or all of the tumor. Plus, the end goal is to get rid of the tumor completely. So it’s no surprise that the best option for getting mast cell tumors treated is often surgery.
Surgical removal for a mast cell tumor in dogs
Prior to surgery, the veterinarian may recommend you give your dog medications to help decrease the risk of the mast cell tumor degranulating and causing adverse effects. These may include Pepcid (i.e. famotidine) and Benadryl for dogs. (But please note that using famotidine and Benadryl for mast cell tumors in dogs is not going to treat the tumor itself. It just helps protect the dog against the effects of tumor cell degranulation.)
Additionally, the vet may recommend blood tests for dogs such as a blood chemistry and CBC (complete blood count) to assess the dog’s overall health and fitness for surgery or other treatments.
During surgery, the surgeon will most likely want to take wide margins around the tumor to try to ensure that he or she removes all cancerous cells in the region. One recent study in The Journal of Veterinary Medical Science investigated using margins proportional to the mast cell tumor diameter. This is in contrast to the other approach of using a standard number of centimeters for a tumor of any size. Since there currently is not a consensus on the best approach, your veterinarian will do what he or she thinks is best for your dog’s situation.
Additional surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy
In cases of low-grade tumors, surgery is often curative long-term as long as the margins are “clean.” The term “clean” means that histopathology indicates there are no microscopic traces of the tumor extending to the edges of the incision.
If the margins are “dirty,” the excision was incomplete and tumor cells remain. In those cases, the vet may recommend a second surgery.
If there isn’t enough tissue for the veterinarian to feel comfortable performing a second surgery, he or she may recommend seeing a board certified surgeon or surgical oncologist. (Need help finding a specialist or understanding what they do? Check out my article on veterinary specialists.) Alternatively, the vet may suggest radiation therapy, which is the treatment of choice to kill the remaining tumor cells.
With high-grade mast cell tumors, or if there is evidence of metastasis, your veterinarian may also recommend a post-surgical consultation with a veterinary oncologist. The oncologist can help you determine if follow-up chemotherapy or other treatment options are best for your dog and you.
Treatment for non-surgical mast cell tumors in dogs
Consulting with a veterinary oncologist is also beneficial when surgery isn’t an option. Some MCTs are too big to be able to be completely removed. Or the tumor location may be such that surgery isn’t possible. In those situations, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or targeted therapy may be good alternative options.
Palladia®
Some mast cell tumors will respond to the medication Palladia (toceranib phosphate), which is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor. This is an oral medication which blocks signaling through the KIT receptor, a receptor which may be mutated and more active in mast cell tumors. While it is a good option for some dogs, not all mast cell tumors respond to Palladia. Also, some dogs experience GI side effects such as nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or diarrhea.
Stelfonta®
Recently, Stelfonta (tigilanol tiglate injection), a new and exciting treatment for mast cell tumors, has become available. Unlike other treatment options, the veterinarian will inject this medication directly into the mast cell tumor. Stelfonta works by activating a protein that causes the tumor cells to die.
This is an innovative (if not miraculous) treatment that appears to be an effective alternative to surgery for masses that meet certain criteria (size, location, and absence of metastasis, etc.). Talk with your veterinarian to determine if your dog may be a candidate for Stelfonta.
Prednisone
The steroid prednisone for dogs may be part of some chemotherapy protocols. It also has the ability to shrink mast cell tumors temporarily in some cases. However, prednisone alone is inferior to other true treatment protocols as results tend to be short-lived. Overall, using prednisone as the only treatment for a mast cell tumor in dogs has a 20% response rate and has not been shown to increase survival time. Plus, some dogs experience significant side effects from the prednisone.
What is the prognosis for mast cell tumors?
The goal of any of these treatments is to give a dog the best possible chances of survival and a good quality of life. A dog’s overall prognosis and life expectancy are based on a variety of factors.
Life expectancy of dogs with mast cell tumors
As mentioned, histological grade plays a large role in long-term outcomes (Note: grades are listed as “Patnaik system/two-tier system)
- Grade I/low-grade mast cell tumors—95% can be treated successfully with surgical excision alone
- Grade II/low-grade—Mortality rate is 17%
- Grade II/high-grade—56% mortality rate
- Grade III/high-grade—median survival time was 108 days and only 16% of dogs were still alive one year after diagnosis
In addition, the mitotic index of the tumor cells (i.e. number of cells dividing) can also help predict life expectancy. One study demonstrated that dogs with a mitotic index of less than 5 for their mast cell tumor had a median survival time of 80 months. This means that 50% of the dogs were still alive 80 months after diagnosis. On the other hand, dogs with a mast cell tumor with a mitotic index of greater than 5 only had a median survival time of three months.
Other factors influencing prognosis
In addition to histologic grade and mitotic index, location can also be prognostic. Tumors on the prepuce or inguinal area, nail bed, mouth, and perineal area are often more aggressive. Additionally, mast cell tumors that occur internally, such as in the GI tract, liver, spleen, or bone marrow, carry a very poor prognosis.
Finally, the breed of the dog can also affect the prognosis. Remember I said that dogs of Bulldog descent are more likely to develop mast cell tumors? Well, the good news is that tumors in these dogs often tend to behave more benignly and are less likely to cause serious disease than in other breeds.
When do you stop fighting mast cell tumors in dogs?
As you can see, the prognosis and life expectancy can vary significantly. For some dogs, a mast cell tumor is just a one-time problem that surgery can quickly and completely resolve. But other dogs aren’t so lucky. Maybe they have an aggressive tumor which is causing local or systemic effects. Or they have one that is difficult to remove surgically or requires additional therapies. In those situations it can be hard to know when you should stop fighting the mast cell tumor.
I can’t answer the question of when to stop fighting mast cell tumors for your dog. But I can help direct you to some people who might be able to give you support and a bit of clarity. First of all, your veterinarian or veterinary oncologist are great resources. Like you, they are committed to helping provide your dog a good quality of life. They can help you evaluate your dog and discuss options (if there are some) for improving quality of life. Or they can help you know when it is time to say goodbye to your dog and prepare for your dog’s euthanasia.
You could also consider consulting with a veterinarian who specializes in dog hospice care. These wonderful individuals can help fill your dog’s last days with dignity and comfort. And they too can help you decide when to stop fighting mast cell tumors.
Don’t Wait—Aspirate!
Mast cell tumors are very common in dogs. But they can also be very challenging because they can look like almost any other tumor. If you find a new mass on your dog or one of your dog’s existing masses is growing or changing, ask your veterinarian to take an aspirate. That way you can breathe a sigh of relief that the mass is benign. Or you can start addressing the mast cell tumor while it is potentially still small and easier to treat.
If your dog does end up having a mast cell tumor, talk to your veterinarian about which treatments would be best. Thankfully, veterinarians and veterinary oncologists have an array of options at their disposal. They can discuss the pros and cons of each option with you so that together you can figure out how to get rid of the mast cell tumor while keeping your dog as comfortable and happy as possible.
Do you have personal experience with mast cell tumors in dogs?
Please share your dog’s story or some words of encouragement below.
Thanks for sharing this information.
We have a 5 year old female beagle named Mishka. 4 weeks ago we noticed a lump on her neck and over 1.5 weeks it grew considerably. We also noticed 5 more lumps. We had them removed and she is doing well, but we are discovering more bumps daily, of which a further 2 are growing. We have sent the initial bumps to lab and they advised that it is an Anaplastic cutaneous round cell tumour and is on the skin. Today we met with her vet to discuss the details and possible way forward. We have agree to remover all the lumps next week and monitor her closely against her quality of light. We are going to take it one day at a time and also try natural treatments such as golden past and work with our vet on further bumps.
Hi Vishen,
So sorry to hear that Mishka has developed all of these masses. It sounds like you and your vet have a great plan for her, and I hope that it gives her many more good days with you! ❤️
Thank you so much for posting this. It was extremely helpful and informative. My 7-year-old boxer was just diagnosed today, 11/6/24, with MCT tumors. 2 in her leg, possibly 1 in her abdomen and spleen. The only symptom she’s had is some incontinence in the form of water from her gut (not typical diarrhea ). My vet did not necessarily grade them but stated, “It did not look good, nor does it make sense to remove them.” My little girl is still very full of life, and I believe treatment is something that should be done. Thoughts? I will make an appointment ASAP with the oncologist to get further insight and perspective regarding the matter. But it seems, at least from reading some of these comments, that some owners have seen some “success” in having the MCTs removed. However, I know that many owners have also seen an increase in MCTs after treatment. Anyways, thank you again for the post.
Hi Jennifer,
Sorry to hear that your Boxer was just diagnosed with MCTs. It is always hard to process that sort of diagnosis and figure out where to go from there. I think it definitely makes sense to go forward with the consultation with the oncologist. They are such a wealth of information and can help you figure out what is best for your dog’s particular situation. Please keep us updated on how the visit with the oncologist goes! ❤️
My sweet girl, 10 year old Sandy, had a bump on her back right leg, we had it removed January 3, 2024, and had xrays done of chest. Results came back as Grade 3, Stage 4, Mitotic index of 7 and a life expectancy of 4 months. She had another surgery on same leg in May due to multiple tumors and the vet had to remove a lot of muscle to get good enough margins. Unfortunately, in 3 months, she now has about 5 tumors on leg and another 4 on stomach and every 24 hours they seem to double in size. Nothing more we can do. Though if you saw her, you would think she is just fine, never complains, goes with the flow. She still plays ball with our other 3 dogs, but unfortunately, her tumors are horrible and degranulating causing her to bleed continously. she is in a cone and now diapers due to the bleeding. We will be putting her to sleep today, October 9, 2024. Thank you for being my bestest friend, Sandy. We are sending you off with so much love and we will miss you terribly!
Dear Carol,
My heart aches for you with your recent loss of Sandy. I am so sorry she endured so many complications due to these terrible tumors. What a blessing you were able to offer her a peaceful goodbye and spare her from unnecessary suffering. I hope with time your heart can begin to heal, and the grief will fade. May her memory be with you always and continue to bring you joy just as she did in life.
My boxer, Duvel, has numerous very small skin tags on various parts of his body. We had two slightly larger ones on his legs removed and tested last year and they were all benign. This summer he developed a reddish tumor the diameter of a dime on his upper thigh, which was removed with clean margins and analyzed to be a stage 2 low grade MCT. The vet tech called and said he would need to be on Benadryl the rest of his life as a preventative. From my reading, Benadryl is just to manage symptoms from histamine. If the tumor is gone, why would he need Benadryl?
Hi Karen,
I am sorry you are facing this difficult situation with your pup. What a blessing the tumor was removed successfully, and the margins were clean. There is some evidence to suggest that taking Benadryl can prevent the formation of other MCTs. Once a dog has had one MCT it is quite common for others to show up at some point in the future. Not because the original tumor spread but due to a genetic predisposition to these types of masses. Boxers are at a higher risk than some other breeds for developing tumors. I hope Duvel has made a full recovery and wish him all the best. Bless you and your sweet boy!
How generous and kind of you to share this information! My Type II American Bulldog, Slugger, has a small MCT on his thigh and will have surgery next week. Thanks to you, I’m less panicked, more well-informed, and far more reassured. I’m grateful. Thank you, thank you and thank you.
Hi Eugene,
Thank you for the kind words! Hoping Slugger’s surgery is successful, and his recovery is smooth. Best wishes to you both!
My 3 year old Golden Retriever had what I was told was a fatty lump for over two years, a further lump appeared on her shoulder and whilst we were waiting for test results a third tiny lump arrived on her head/pinna. All three lumps were successfully operated on with clear margins and reported low grade. now three weeks after her operation a fourth MCT has been discovered near her shoulder. Should I put her through another operation straight away? What if she continues to get further MCT at such regular intervals surely it is unfair to operate regularly. Is there anything that can be done to prevent these horrible things recurring?
Hi Jet,
I am sorry your Golden is dealing with these recurring mast cell tumors. I do think it would be best to take care of these masses while they are still small and have not had the chance to spread. Surgery may not be your only option, and I encourage you to ask your vet about other things such as Stelfonta. You may even want to consider a consultation with a veterinary oncologist. Hoping you can find the answers you need to make the best choice for you and your sweet girl. Praying for a positive outcome and many happy years ahead.
Chinese medicine
My 14 year old dog has a suspected MCT on the top of her leg, basically her armpit. it’s quite small but red and swollen.
The vet performed a FNA straight away, so now we wait for the lab results.
Two questions.
1. is removal performed as a general anesthetic?
2. In this very helpful article you mention that some areas to have it are worse than others. I wasn’t clear on the technical terms used as to where these more worrying areas are. I understood the gums but any other areas?
thanks for a great article.
Hi Polly,
I am sorry your girl has this unknown mass on the top of her leg. I am glad your vet is being proactive and has sent out a sample for the lab to evaluate. Yes, mass removal surgery will be performed under general anesthesia. This is the best way to ensure your girl stays still during the procedure and she has proper pain control. I am glad you asked for clarification about the terms used for mass locations! Always feel free to reach out when you need more information. The other areas listed in the article are: prepuce= around the penis, inguinal= groin area [like the armpits of the back legs :)], nail bed= the base of the toenails, and perineal= around the anus/under the tail. I hope the pathologist’s results are favorable and your vet will have a simple plan for treatment. Wishing you and your pup all the best and keep us updated!
My 11 year old female mongrel developed a very aggressive tumour, within 1 week of me discovering and immediately seeking veterinary help. It had affected her walking, I took the decision to euthanise her as it was inoperable and very advanced. I didn’t want her to suffer anymore.
Dear Elaine,
I am sorry for the loss of your senior pup. Bless you for being willing to offer her a peaceful goodbye and ensuring she didn’t have to suffer needlessly. Praying for healing for your heart and wishing you comfort and peace.
Dr. Buzby, thank you for your excellent and informative explanation of Mast Cell tumors, and my heart goes out to all the families affected by any type of cancer animal or human. My little friend Leo is an 8-year-old Portuguese water dog recently diagnosed with round cell tumor. The tumor presents in his front left leg at the elbow joint. It’s firm and enlarged around the joint, not in a perfect mound like some of the photos shown of mast cells. He limps with that leg, but shows no pain when I touch or move his leg. He has no other symptoms and behaves like his joyful energetic self. The lame leg is slowing him down for walks but if I throw a ball he runs after it like there’s nothing wrong with the leg. The orthopedic surgeon who diagnosed him recommended amputation but cautioned the cells may have spread elsewhere. My vet said this is a complicated tumor because of its soft tissue nature. Had it been a bone cancer he would agree on the amputation. He basically said I should just enjoy Leo while I can. But because he’s so joyful and vibrant, despite the lameness, it seems like there must be something I can do—this is how I found you. Even if there was a brace he could wear to help steady the lame leg. Any advice would be most helpful and appreciated. Thank you.
Hi Michelle,
I understand your concern for Leo with this worrisome tumor on his elbow. Without playing a personal role in his medical care it is hard to offer specific recommendations. I do think it could be helpful to ask for a consultation with a veterinary oncologist. They can let you know all the treatment options for his specific type of tumor and give you the expected prognosis with each. I don’t think a brace would offer much benefit since the pain is not due to the joint being unstable. You could also look into integrative therapies and see if there is a vet in your area that practices Traditional Chinese Medicine. Hoping you can find the answers you need to ensure Leo continues living his best live. Praying for healing and many happy days ahead for your sweet boy.
Thank you for all this info on MCT. My 13 year old yellow lab has a large one on her back left paw. It is raw and bleeding. I change the bandage daily. I took her to my vet and she recommended an oncology visit. I had a large MCT removed from her belly over a year ago. This one was small and all of a sudden grew large. Unfortunately the location of this one is bad and can’t be removed surgically. I am open to see what the oncologist recommends but I also don’t want her to suffer. She has developed a bad cough and I fear it has metastasized. It’s so hard going through this. I’ve also been told Labs usually don’t live this long. My dilemma is it worth putting her through radiation and chemo if recommended.
Hi Mary,
I am sorry you are facing this difficult situation with your senior Lab. I understand your concern and see why you are conflicted about how to proceed. I think you will need to wait for your visit with the oncologist before trying to make specific plans. After you get all of the information and understand the prognosis associated with each type of treatment, you will be better equipped to decide what is best for your sweet girl. Many times, there is no definite right or wrong answer and if you choose to forgo treatment, palliative care can be a wonderful option. Praying for your strength and for clarity as you navigate this unknown path. Bless you and your sweet girl.
Thank you so much for this information, it’s some of the most thorough I’ve found on the web. I found a strange lump, or lump of lumps, on my 10-year-old mixed breed dog’s belly just a few days ago, and am waiting for a vet appointment. It’s such an odd lump, that I’m looking into things like MCT as a possibility– it’s like a lump made up of firm peas, somewhat mobile, under the skin with no redness or other external signs at all. I’m hoping for the best, but your article helps me feel prepared for a worse diagnosis.
Hi Nick,
Thank you for the kind words. I hope you get the answers you need and am praying for a positive outcome for your pup. Bless you and yours.
Hi, this article has been the best information I’ve read.
I have a 9 1/2 year old Labrador named Leo, in June we had a mass removed and it turned out to be a mast cell tumor grade 3. Our vet told me to bring him back in 6 months for reevaluation. In the middle of august, there is 3 huge tumors all around where the first one was. The tumors are so big that they rub against each other when he walks, he can’t even get comfortable when he lays down. I have taken him to the vet and he said he needs to see an oncologist. I have an appointment with the oncologist on September 9th. Since I have taken Leo to see the vet he has stopped eating and he has started vomiting blood. I have also noticed a lot more masses all over his body. I am not sure if the oncologist can do anything for him, and I am not sure if he will be able to make it another week and a half. If the prognosis is 3 to 4 months after diagnosis and as of right now it has been 2 months since he was diagnosed. I know you can’t tell me what to do for him but could you tell me what you would do. I don’t want to put him down but I also don’t want to be selfish and let him suffer.
Thank you for any advice and help you can give.
Sincerely,
Leo and Marsha
Dear Marsha,
My heart aches for you as you face this tragic situation with Leo. I understand you want to do what is best for him, but sometimes saying goodbye is the only way to prevent unnecessary suffering. I hope the oncologist will have some good advice and allow you to make the best choice for everyone involved. From what you describe, is sounds like Leo is in constant pain and discomfort, and with the lack of appetite and vomiting blood, if he were my pup I would probably let go and offer him peace. Praying for clarity and strength as you navigate this emotional path. Bless you and your sweet boy.
Hi! My almost 4 year old goldendoodle Louie has had a pea sized lump above her back leg for about a year now. It is flesh colored and hard to find under all her floof, but I showed the vet and they measure each time we go in. There have been no changes and the vet thinks it’s a cyst and said no need to aspirate at this point, but after reading this article I’m nervous. If there have been no changes, it is ok to hold off — or is it possible to be cancerous even without any changes?
Hi Abby,
I understand your concern for Louie and think it is great you are reaching out for advice. It is definitely possible for a mass to be cancerous even if it has remained relatively the same for a long period of time. I like the saying “don’t wait, aspirate!”. I would rather go ahead and do an aspirate of the mass while it is small. Then if surgery is recommended, the procedure will be much easier than if it was allowed to grow larger. Hoping you can get the answers you need to make the best choices for your sweet girl. Praying for favorable results and many happy years ahead.
Thank you for the great service you provide here..
My Pug of 5 years just had a mast cell tumor removed and is doing well Before the surgery he was on Benadryl and my vet said that I can now discontinue the Benadryl but I am hesitant to stop as I am worried another tumor will form. In Addition, my Beagle is 13 years old and has congestive heart failure and is on 2 heart medications and he now has a tumor and they cannot operate on him due to his heart. Do you think it is wise to give him Benadryl?
Hi Stephen,
I am sorry your Pug is having so many issues all at once. I understand your concern and think it is great you are searching for advice. There are many people that use Benadryl as a “preventative” for mast cell tumors. I am not sure of its effectiveness, but in general I would think the potential benefits outweigh any risks. I will say that with your dog’s other conditions, there may be a reason your vet doesn’t want him to take Benadryl on a consistent basis. I encourage you to discuss your concerns with your vet and see if they would be willing to prescribe the Benadryl for ongoing use. This way they can monitor his condition closely and watch for any negative side effects. Wishing you all the best of luck as you navigate this tricky path. Bless you and your sweet boy.
I rescued my baby Chihuahua Thor at the age of one. I soon noticed a small lump. on the upper part of his leg. It never seem to bothered him and never grew, but I had my vet check. it. He looked at it and said it was nothing to worry about it would disappear. It didn’t and at age two it was still there. I just had a bad feeling about it. Then it got red and darker like he had somehow hurt it. Took him to my vet again. He again said he thought it was nothing and they might have to lance it. That did it I took him to another vet who looked at it and was concerned. He took a sample of it and said it was a tumor and needed removed. They operated on him he is just now healing up. A sample was sent away and I just got the call that he has a Grade 2 Mass Cell Tumor and that they should operate again and remove more of the area. This scares me I lost two other Chihuahua babies to Cancer . So I’m trying to read up on this and prepare my self. This vet has made it sound like it will be okay, but it doesn’t sound that way to me.
Dear Yvette,
I am sorry Thor has received this worrisome diagnosis. I understand your concern but glad your vet is being proactive with the care they are providing. Many dogs have these types of masses removed and go on to live full happy lives. Try not to let worry and doubt weigh you down. Hoping the follow up surgery will be successful, and the recovery will be smooth. Wishing you and your sweet boy all the best.
I’m in the beginning of this, my girl, Annie, just diagnosed Friday.
Dear Betty,
I’ll be keeping Annie in my thoughts and wishing you both all the best. ♥
My dog a multipoo, was diagnosed with MCT in 2017 when she was 7. The margins were narrow as MCT showed up on path report as grade 2. When she was 13.5 she expired from what was deemed a pancreatic tumor that had burst. There were no signs of illness. She just collapsed from blood loss. I wondered if it could have been a MCT or was she predisposed to cancer. I had seen some odd possible skin tumors (tiny) on her neck and was going to discuss with vet on annual about 3 weeks after she passed. She led a good life for having MCT .
Dear Moana,
My heart goes out to you with the loss of your senior girl. I am sorry her passing was sudden and unexpected. I would not suspect the pancreatic tumor was related to the MCT but of course there is no way to know for sure. I hope with time the grief will fade and you can find comfort in all the good memories you made together. Thank you for sharing your story with us. Wishing you peace and many happy days ahead. ♥
Our 6yr old Golden Retriever (Tucker) was diagnosed with MCT last week. He has a small pea sized tumor on his head by his ear. Sometimes you can feel it, other times you can’t. Our Vet rushed us to get surgery right away. As my wife and I researched and talked with other pet owners, we are on the fence with doing the surgery. Many people we have talked to said they didn’t pursue surgery and their dog is living a normal life. Others we talked to had surgery only to have another MCT pop up. Do I want to put my Tucker though the agony of surgery, of course not but I also don’t want to neglect the care. Not sure what to do. Any input is appreciated.
Hi Chris,
I understand your concern for Tucker with this new MCT that has been diagnosed. There is no way to know for sure if this will be ok to leave for a while or if it will go on to metastasize and cause bigger problems. I like to err on the side of caution and have them surgically removed. Of course you have to do what you feel is best. Hoping you can get the answers you need to find a clear way forward. Praying for healing and a positive outcome for your sweet boy.
Our 10 year old vizsla was just diagnosed with a MCT on her left front leg. We took her to the vet after noticing it – starting small and grew over the course of a week, vet thought it was an infection so took a sample to test and put in a drain. After a gruesome few days we took her back to have the drain taken out (nothing but blood and a little liquid was coming out – found out it was not an infection, but MCT and we’re lucky that cutting into it and subsequent degranulation didn’t kill her. Unfortunately took 2 weeks to see an oncologist, in which time it has grown considerably. She’s now limping and you can tell she is in pain. From where the vet put in the drain the MCT is now ulcerating out horribly – two holes never had a chance of closing up. We’re scheduled for amputation next weeks which seems to be our best option since all diagnostic tests point to it not having spread yet, but I’m heart broken. I can’t imagine her recovering to her full self after this – her true to form vizsla personality is jumping, running and constantly bouncing around. Also very torn that if it is presumably aggressive and high-grade, if we’re only buying her a couple of months, why are we going to put her through a really drastic surgery, but our vet and oncologist are convincing us this is the best option. Plan after surgery is vinblastine + predisone +/- palladia (TBD). Any thoughts of support are greatly welcomed!
Dear Pipsmom,
My heart goes out to you as you face this difficult situation with your beloved girl. I am sorry this invasive surgery is needed to try and keep the cancer under control. I understand your concern and wish I had other advice to offer. I am not sure there is a clear right or wrong way to proceed when it comes to these types of decisions. It would be fine to pursue surgery, and it is also ok if you choose palliative/hospice care and focus on quality of life and comfort. I encourage you to trust your intuition as you know your girl better than anyone. I will say that the majority of dogs that undergo a limb amputation do just fine after and go on to run and play and live happy lives. Hoping you can find the answers you need to navigate this tricky path. Praying for strength and clarity. Bless you both.
Hello, I have a 9yr old golden retriever who has had 6 MCTs removed of the last few years, last being a few months ago. I have just found another. All have been tiny and all have been grade 1. I am so unsure if I continue to put her through surgeries or to what point it becomes cruel as she seems so so sad after them and each time the healing has been worse. I’m also predicting if she’s had this many they are likely to continue to return. Any advice appreciated!
Dear Kelly,
I am sorry your senior girl has endured these terrible tumors so many times. It is ok if you decide to pursue palliative care rather than surgery. Ultimately, you have to trust your intuition as you know your girl better than anyone. Hoping you can find a way to keep her comfortable and offer relief. Wishing you both all the best as you navigate this difficult path.
My 11yr old Boston Terrier had a large grape sized tumor on her vulva, it came up pretty quickly and I took her in to have it removed because it had started to cause her pain and was bleeding. She was diagnosed with a poorly differentiated Mast cell tumor, Patnaik grade III, Kiupel high-trade with a mitotic count of 8. I decided to not pursue chemo therapy and opted to keep her comfortable and stress free at home, She had no other obvious growths. Her vet said without treatment I’d be lucky if she had maybe 6 months., but we thankfully just celebrated her 12th birthday! However the growth started to come back about a month ago and this time has grown much more quickly and is larger now than it initially was a year ago, For now she is still in good spirits, is happy and does not seem to be in any pain, although she has slowed down a little, she acts pretty normal. My goal is too keep her as comfortable and as happy as I can until she tells me it’s her time, for now I’m grateful to still have her with me.
Dear Anita,
My heart goes out to you as you spend these last days with your beloved pup. I am glad she is still feeling ok and has maintained a good quality of life. Try to make the most of the time you are gifted. Praying for strength and peace as you walk this difficult path. Bless you and your sweet girl.
My Boston Terrier was age 5 when an insect bite looking lump had been coming and going in the same spot for a year. Too small to aspirate, I decided to ask the vet to remove it & scan fr any spread in case it was an MCT. It was tested and found to be a low grade MCT & I did a further test to tell the % of risk of it spreading.
I have heard of others who now have a piriton antihistamine a day now to prevent more degranulagion. But my vet hasn’t mentioned this.
Now he’s 6 and started to have what I thought were Fits but I’m wondering if it’s Paroxysmal Dyskinesia because he’s quite with it through, although can’t stand. He’s had a full blood count, all normal. Two fits within a week. He has a new lump on his shoulder joint which is like a hard pea in the bone. I am worried that is another MCT but it also can’t be aspirated. Fingers crossed it’s not.
Hi Natalie,
I am sorry your Boston is facing these unknown issues. He is very lucky to have you taking such good care of him and advocating for his health and well-being. Hoping for answers and a clear path forward with treatment. Bless you and your sweet boy.
Thank you for the article and information.
We adopted a senior olde English bulldog a 14 months ago. In August I saw a knot forming on his paw pad – vet said was a cyst. It continues to grow and it took about 5 months and several appointments before the vet agreed that it may not be a cyst. In January we had it removed – MCT grade 3 – also had needle aspiration of several other lumps that came up on his body over those five months. Unfortunately the treatment due to location and size would have been to amputate paw which given his age and other tumors we did not feel was the right path.
In May tumor came back in same spot, along with a new spot on top of paw, which both have grown rapidly in past 7 weeks.
What is difficult is determining when is the right time to let him go. He is on pain medicine – we can tell he is in pain at times and the medicine does help. He’s never been a playful dog since we adopted him – more of a people dog vs toy dog. He has become extremely clingy to me in past couple weeks – to point he whines excessively and paces if a door is shut between us (bathroom door for example). He has no interest in any one else in our family except me and being right by my side. He still eats (maybe half of what he was eating 6 months ago), still drinks normally, still has normal bathrooms habits except has mostly diarrhea which can be side effect of pain pills.
I want to give him the best life. He was put in a shelter at 7 years old (don’t know reason) and was there 2 years with no interest until we adopted him. He is one of the coolest, funniest dogs I’ve ever been around. He has a huge personality and I don’t know if selfishly I’m just not ready to let him go because it’s been such a short time with him. There are days where it feels like he is ok a little longer than days where it feels like we should let him go. The tumors on his paws have ulcerated and continue to grow it feels like daily. Vet shared that we should start planning end of life – which we have – and have discussed in depth – it’s just such a hard decision to know what is right. I know you cannot share what to do – I’ve read the articles you’ve shared with others in comment section as well. I think I just needed to share all of this. Thank you again for this article!
Dear Michelle,
I am sorry you are facing this impossibly difficult decision for your senior boy. He is lucky to have found you when he did, and I am certain you have given him nothing but love and joy. I understand how hard it can be to make the choice to say goodbye. Praying for strength and clarity as you face the hard days ahead. Bless you and your sweet boy.
Thank you for this article, it has been very informative. As have the comments from other families going through similar situations to mine has brought a bit of solice.
My girl Nanuke, a 6 y/o husky was diagnosed with a MCT on her nasal planum. After staging work ups, we found out she’s clear of metastases. Yay! The get says her best option is surgical excision which would include removal of her entire nose & part of her upper jaw. I’m not sure that I want to pursue that.
I asked my vet oncologist about Stelfonta, however she believes Nanuke is not a candidate. I’m thinking about getting a second opinion as I’ve seen one successful case of treatment with Stelfonta to the nasal planum.
Otherwise I will focus on keeping her comfortable & happy with palliative cares until the end.
Hi Jessica,
I am sorry Nanuke is facing this difficult diagnosis. She is a lucky girl to have you advocating for her health and well-being. It is always ok to get a second opinion, especially when it comes to complicated matters such as cancer treatment. You can also ask for a consultation with a veterinary oncologist if needed. If Stelfonta is not an option, I think palliative care would be a great choice. Praying for strength and clarity as you navigate this emotional path. Wishing you and your sweet girl all the best. ♥
Hello, and thank you so much for this article.
Our 6 year old Maltese had a MCT over his left eye. It took forever for doctors to realize that it’s a tumor and not a stye.
We decided to do a surgery at the end of April and they had to remove his eye as the tumor was too big, to get clear margins.
The pathology report came back with clear margins and a low grade tumor, so they said that was it.
Now there is a bug lump again, right we’re the tumor was. We went to the oncologist again and she did a FNA, saying that it was inconclusive and we should come back in 2 weeks.
It really does react like the tumor did before and we are very worried that the cancer might be back and spread. Just wondering why the doctor doesn’t immediately say anything or wants to wait.
Also saying the chances are 1% for it to come back.
What do you think and is there a chance to remove the mass again and then be done with it finally?
Thank you in advance
Anja
Dear Anja,
I am sorry your little pup has been through so much over the past few months. Your vet can’t give you a specific diagnosis since the results of the FNA were inconclusive and any answers they could give at this point would be purely speculation. It sounds like they are hoping that if they give it some more time, they may be able to get a better sample or find some cells that would help narrow down a cause. Without examining the mass myself, I can’t offer specific conclusions either. Unfortunately, you will have to take this one step at a time and make the best choices you can with the information available. Don’t forget you can always ask for a consultation with a specialist if needed. Hoping you can get some answers sooner rather than later and praying for a positive outcome for your sweet boy.
Hello,
Thank you for writing this article. It helped me have a better understanding of my situation a bit. My almost 10 year old husky recently had 2 lumps removed- one right near her right armpit and the other on her chest. We knew the one was fatty, as it was aspirated, but the other showed signs you mentioned in this article and excision was recommended.
The biopsy came back and I was informed she has a grade 2/mid grade soft tissue sarcoma (suspect perivascular wall tumor subtype) The surgical margins also weren’t clean.. but they did say though she is at a increased risk for local recurrence due to the margins, the type of sarcoma has a low rate of metastasis. “About a third of marginally excised grade 2 soft tissue sarcomas will recur locally. Incompletely excised tumors have a higher likelihood of recurrence and recurrent tumors can have increasingly aggressive behavior”
My vet didn’t really discuss treatment options.. just that we need to monitor her condition over the next few years. I’m unsure what I’m supposed to do. I understand my dogs age needs to be taken into account, but if I’m lucky, I could potentially have 6 years with her still. I want to trust my vet but also, it makes me feel helpless and I don’t like the idea of just waiting to see if the tumor grows back or not, as it may be more aggressive later on. My vet explained that we could put her under again, and try to remove more of the tissue, but we can only do so much as we will approach her muscular wall. She just told me it may come back 2-3 years from now and if it does, to monitor that my dog is “comfortable” … the only positive thing that was really said was that if it does come back, it would likely stay put and not spread. I hate thinking about her possibly having to deal with that late in her life and me not being able to do anything for her, as her age would only come into play more and put her at greater risks for treatment options. I’ve been trying my best to research this broad topic and also look into small things I may be able to do. But it doesn’t feel like I can do much other than make sure her system is supported- like starting her on omega 3 fatty acids as example. Which overall feels very small in comparison to knowing there’s a cancerous tumor and hoping for the best…
Hi Kate,
I understand your concern for your senior girl and think it is great you are searching for advice. Your girl is lucky to have you advocating for her health and well-being. My best advice is to ask your vet for a consultation with a veterinary oncologist. They can review her case details and offer information on all possible treatments and therapies and their associated prognosis. There may not be any great options, but you won’t know until you ask. I am hopeful you will find the answers you need to make a clear plan of action. Wishing you all the best of luck and praying for many happy days ahead for your sweet girl.
Hi from Australia. We have our 8 yr old standard poodle Dior with a 2cm mct on the top of her snout near the fleshy part of her nose. Gnangara confirmed mct and mention signs of rapid change. It is scabbed over but she does rub it and make it bleed. We don’t want to put her on powerful drugs or anything that will cause her any additional problems. She is still eating and normal poops. What are the signs of spread and other problems caused by this? As everyone does, we don’t want here to suffer in any way.
Hi Gregory,
I am sorry Dior has received this difficult diagnosis. It is hard to give specific signs to watch for as it can vairy widely depending on where the cancer decides to spread. If it forms in the lungs, you may see trouble breathing. If it goes to the GI tract you may see blood in the feces or vomiting and diarrhea. General signs of decline would be lethargy, loss of appetite, weakness, and lack of interest in activities that usually bring joy. The mass itself may become painful as it continues to bleed, and the tissue starts to deteriorate. Your girl is lucky to have you taking such good care of her and I am certain you will give her a peaceful passing when the time is right. Wishing you all comfort and strength. Bless you. ♥
Thank you for your words and wisdom. She is my wife’s mini me. The MCt has now progressed further on her nose nearly blocking one nostril. She is still eating, seems to still enjoy her walk and normal poops. She does have an enlarged lymph node under her jaw on the side of the MCT that is quite hard. We have her on phenergan 30mg twice a day. Could we just keep going like this if no other symptoms appear? And her breathing is not to greatly affected? If she shows any sign of further problems we’re would probably act accordingly to stop her suffering.
Bless you for your service and care to animals .
Hi Gregory,
I am glad Dior still has her appetite and is enjoying her walks. As long as her pain is well controlled and she is happy, it is ok to give her more time. Here is a link to an article with more information on assessing quality of life: Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
Hoping for continued comfort for your girl and wishing you all the best as you navigate this emotional path. Feel free to keep us updated on how things are going.
We are providing her with a tumeric blend supplement, liver enzymes, probiotics and holy basil to assist without worry of side effects. Is there anything else you can suggest to assist her. Again thank you for your reassurance. Warm regards Gregory and Pina, Perth, Western Australia.
Hi Gregory,
I am not sure of any other supplements that would be helpful, but there are other therapies you could consider. Alternative therapies such as acupuncture, PEMF mats/beds, or even CBD products might be able to offer the pain control you are looking for. Here are some links to other articles with more information:
1. Natural Pain Relief for Dogs: 13 Methods
2. PEMF Therapy for Dogs: 7 FAQs Answered by a PEMF Expert
3. Could Acupuncture for Dogs Help my Senior Dog?
4. CBD Oil for Dogs: Facts, Benefits, Concerns [2024]
I am hopeful you will find the right combination of treatments to keep Dior feeling her best. Keep up the good work! Bless you and your family.
My baby girl is 7 years old, and her name is Tink. She is a rescued dog and a mix of Chihuahua and Jack Russell Terrier. She has a mast cell tumor (MCT) on her front leg, near the right elbow. The growth appeared suddenly and became so large that we were uncomfortable with the idea of surgery. The doctor mentioned that amputation might be necessary, which was something we were not prepared for. So, we opted for chemotherapy instead.
We started Tink on Palladia, and it worked well for three weeks. Then, suddenly, the tumor grew from the size of a golf ball and a half to the size of a softball. It became very tight on her leg and turned into a fungating tumor. The vet then switched her to Vinblastine and stopped Palladia. After the second infusion of Vinblastine, Tink became very stiff, experienced left-side weakness, and seemed to have a seizure.
My husband took her back to the vet, who explained that the tumor is inoperable due to its size. While Vinblastine has a 70% efficacy rate, it’s primarily prolonging her life for 3-6 months. The fungating tumor is now falling off, which smells bad due to bacterial infection and tissue necrosis. Despite this, my husband is not willing to give up. Tink has three more cycles of Vinblastine. The vet believes she is responding well because the tightness in her leg has decreased and the tumor is separating from her elbow.
Tink is eating, drinking, wagging her tail more often, and able to walk. However, she still occasionally has left-side weakness, shows no signs of pain, but sometimes breathes heavily while resting. She is not experiencing diarrhea and is not significantly constipated. We carry her outside to poop and pee, and she takes her time doing these things. She doesn’t jump onto the couch when we are around, but she will do so to get to her usual blanket when we are not present.
I don’t know what to think. Is she in pain because the tumor is tearing away from her skin? Is she getting better because she is eating, drinking, and not having diarrhea? I don’t want to make a drastic decision if it’s not yet her time. I looked at the
Hi Ashley,
I am sorry Tink has endured so much over the past few months. I understand why you are concerned and agree this is a difficult situation to navigate. I do think your girl is in pain. Any necrotic open wound like that is painful. Even though this may be a part of the treatment/healing process, Tink needs to be getting something to make sure she is as comfortable as possible and isn’t suffering. If your girl is not taking any pain medications, I would highly recommend you bring up this topic with your vet. Without examining her myself, I can’t make specific conclusions about her quality of life. I will attach links to other articles with more information on how to know when is best to let go and say goodbye. Tink may not be in that window of time yet, but you’ll want to be prepared for when the time comes. Hoping your pup can keep fighting and praying for many happy years ahead. Bless you and your sweet girl.
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. How Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt Messages
3. Dog Euthanasia: Knowing When to Say Goodbye
My baby girl (Staffordshire Bull Terrier) turned 11 years in may this year. She was diagnosed with a high grade mast tumour 2 years ago. She’s been doing chemio (Palladia) for almost all these years and a few months ago her vet asked to stop her chemio because her heart was having some problems. So 2 months after not taking chemio her tumor came back. So vet asked to put her back on the chemio and predisone as well until her next month (4th surgery). the tumors have diminish since taking chemio again but a few days ago another one came out, which I believe means that the chemio isn’t working any longer so the vet might give her a higher dosage of Palladia or change her chemio.
Apart from these bloody tumours, shes very healthy. She eats well, plays and does everything.
The vet (who is a very respected professional oncologist in Brazil), said that she’s a rare case. That most dogs with her grade cancer don’t even reach 1 year of life. I blame her plant based diet for her healthy and longevity.
I have another male staffy who’s also on a plant based diet and he’s turned 20 years this year. He has no health problems at all 🙂
Hi Larissa,
I am sorry your girl is facing this difficult situation and will need surgery again. It sounds like she is getting great medical care and you have partnered with an amazing vet. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. Wishing you and both of your pups nothing but the best. Praying for a successful surgery next month!
Thank you for the excellent information and these comments. I have appreciated everyone’s comments so here is our story that may assist someone. Our 10 year old mixed breed girl had a MCT removed from her belly in August 2023 Stage 1 but margins were not clear. Second tumor appeared on the back leg in April 2024, stage 3. She is a happy, fit and healthy girl so we looked at options. CT scans and biopsy revealed cells in the liver and the cancer has metastasized and she is stage 4. Devastating beyond words. She is not a good patient and we have to sedate her to even go for checkups with the vet. It is clear that she cannot be cured. She is happy and well and its hard to see that she has a limited life expectancy. The hardest decision was what we do now. Do we give her chemo IV (Veinblastine) with palladia (maybe 12 months life expectancy), palladia alone with steriods andantihistamine (life expectancy not known) or steriods and antihistamine alone (1-3 month life expectancy) and let nature take its course. We are in Australia and lucky that the treatment is available and that we can afford the costs. To assist those looking into this, the costs are for IV and Palladia about $AUS1500 per chemo session/palladia plus monitoring. From memory we were recommended 4-6 treatments. Palladia is about $800 for about a 8-10 week course. its based on weight. She is 27kg. Due to the fact that we cannot cure her and she gets so distressed at the vets that we opted for Palladia with steroids and antihistamine to hopefully give her and us more time but only if she has quality of life. We had 5 doses and she had urgent diarrhea and was miserable. We took her off Palladia and she has come good and will start again with a lower dose in a weeks’ time. I hope this information may assist someone. The priority is her ability to enjoy life and we wont put her through any more if that is compromised as much as that will break my heart. So grateful to all the veterinarians and nurses.
Dear Alison,
I am sorry your girl has received this difficult diagnosis but glad to hear she is happy and feeling well. Thank you for sharing your experience and offer this great information. I hope your pup can continue living her best life and find joy in each day. Make the most of the time you are gifted and spoil her rotten. Praying for your strength and comfort as you navigate this emotional path. ♥
Thank you for your kind words. Since my initial post Penny did not tolerate the lower dose and we made the difficult decision to cease Palladia. She remains on antihistamines and steroids. She has put on weight and is always hungry which is a side effect of the steroids. We give her bone broth to take the edge off and give her smaller meals but more often 5-6 small means per day. She was given 1-3 months 3 months ago and she is still enjoying life. Her clinical symptoms are soft stools but not urgent and no diarrhea but she seems to have developed some tummy discomfort. She has aged and is a little slower, love her walks and car rides and yes she is being spoilt rotten. We are grateful she is still with us but the fear she may be in pain and what the end will be for her is always present.
I hope this information helps others. Thanks you so much for this wonderful forum to share our experience. Alison
Hi Alison,
Thank you for the update on Penny. I can only imagine how difficult it was to choose palliative care instead of pursuing treatment. I am glad you are focusing on her quality of life and making sure she finds joy in each day. Praying for many happy days ahead for your sweet girl. Bless you. ♥
Hi~ This article was helpful. Our Nero, is a five year old Bernese mountain dog. First, we were told it was a skin allergy but he soon had several tumors that needed emergency surgery. In the two weeks between his surgery and going back for pathology results and staple
Removal eight more tumors erupted. His diagnosis is Grade III/High grade. He’s such a happy dog so it’s hard for us to know when to say when. Right now he has 4 large cells that have erupted in the last two days and 12 more throughout his body. Our challenge is trying to keep him away from them without have surgery every two weeks. He’s extremely flexible regardless of his regime of meds, e-collar and t shirt to help block access he still seems to get to them.
Dear Tina,
I am so sorry Nero is facing this terrible situation with all of these mast cell tumors. He is lucky to have you advocating for his health and well-being. It sounds like you are doing the best you can to maintain his quality of life. Praying for your strength and comfort and wishing you all the best. Bless you.
Thank you for this very informative article. Our 11-year-old rescue had hers removed a few days ago and we received the pathology results today. It was aggressive, however, it was removed with good margins. I’m hoping she has a few more years of quality life ahead of her.
Dear Tracey,
I am sorry the pathology report was not as favorable as you had hoped. What a blessing your vet was able to get good margins during surgery! Wishing your sweet girl all the best and praying for many happy years ahead. ♥
I had my Brady into the vet last year. During the couple years of covid Brady developed some fatty tumors on his stomach. Vets weren’t really open only for emergencies. He was still healthy. active with and appetite. My health declined had knee surgery, change in jobs making 20k less. Unfortunately Brady has been diagnosed with a watermelon size rumor & a smaller one next to it in his stomach with she thought attached to his spleen. He’s always been a stocky built hound mix w/short legs. cost $1600 for any extensive look too see what type it was. $6-8000 to remove not saying it all would be and with that life expectancy 195 days. Being 11yrs old she said if unaffordable keep close eye on him. I would notice blood in stool, loss of appetite but now he’s 12 I feels horrible in doing nothing as I also encountered a $2000+ surgery on Cody he had a blockage on his rectum that required surgery. Brady has good days & bad like myself. His appetite is good, always did drink a lot, pees rivers, dances/playfully jumps around but its harder for him getting our from underneath the bed and unfortunately I cant lift him anymore so hes no longer on my bad, hes in this on the floor.. My sisters been telling me I’m having him suffer cuz if its bursts people told her it well come out this eyes & rear it well be a mess.. I know time is coming its been over a year when he was given 3-6 months due to the size. Any suggestions
Hi Susan,
I am sorry your senior guy is dealing with these worrisome tumors. Without examining him myself, it is hard to make recommendations about his health. Brady may have entered the window of time where saying goodbye is a loving option, but I am not sure if the decision is urgent or necessary at this point. I will attach links to other articles with more information on how to know when it is time to let go. Hoping you can find the answers you need and praying for clarity and strength. Bless you and your sweet boy.
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. Signs Your Dog is Dying: A Caring Message to Bring You Peace
3. How Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt Messages
Thank you so much for this informative article.
My dog Noodles was dx with a MCT in Oct 2023. It was low grade 2 but was called histologically low grade but biologically high grade. I’m still confused regarding that? Miotic count low but still aggressive?
He had two surgeries the first was removal the second bc the surgeon felt the margin near his prepuce was too narrow and to excuse LN. it was confirmed it had metastasized to the regional LN. After that we did Vinoblastin, completed in mid January. He had his follow up last month, they did a physical exam and so no tumors. But he had lost a lot of weight and was biting and licking at his paws. They attributed this to weaning off prednisone.
I felt it was getting too bad so I took him to the regular vet. He had diabetes glucose over 700. After monitoring one day they were able to get him to around 500 with the hope with consistent use it would improve further. Instead he started having numerous accidents around the house at first 3-4 near his door. Then 6-8 day and night everywhere even spots where he likes to sleep. Last night he had 6 in 3 hours. He was tested for a uti it was negative. I’m at a loss what to do. He’s lethargic during the day and confused at night. Having trouble navigating the house bumping into furniture. I have an appointment for additional glucose monitoring. It also seems he can’t rely on his smell because when we give him treats or food we have to place them right up against his nose or mouth for him to realize they’re there. I’ve tried to get an appointment at an IM vet but it’s several weeks out. Do I go bank to oncology?
His long term prognosis was guarded to poor after surgery. What exactly does that mean?
Dear Neha,
My heart goes out to you as you try to navigate this difficult path with Noodles. Overall, it sounds like his cancer is trying to spread rapidly and since he was given a poor prognosis, they are thinking he will not have a very long survival time. The signs you are seeing may be early indicators of a steady decline in health. Of course, without playing a personal role in Noodles’ medical care I can’t make specific conclusions, but I am afraid he may be in his final days of life. A recheck with oncology may be best. I would encourage you to make the most of the time you are gifted and try to find joy in each day. Praying for your strength and for comfort for you both. Bless you and your sweet boy. ♥
My dog Noodles was diagnosed with a MCT low grade 2 deemed histologically low grade biologically high grade adjacent to his prepuce in Oct 2023. We did 2 surgery bc the second surgeon felt the margin next to prepuce was too narrow she also excised lymph nodes as there had been metastasis to regional LN. We then did a course of vinoblastin. Noodles diagnoses was guarded to poor for long term. My general question is what does that look like approximately?
He did his first follow up oncology exam last month. He had lost quite a bit of weight and was really biting licking at his paws. They said it was likely from the wean off prednislone. It was a physical exam they said he was fine no tumors. However,, he continued losing Weight and was lethargic, We went to his regular vet. He now has diabetes glucose over 700. After a day of monitoring they could only get him to around 500. Cataracts had progressed quite a bit. As well. Also his accidents in the house have increased steadily from 3-4 before insulin to 6-8 all over the house even where he likes to sleep. He tested negative for a UTI. Last night he had 7 accidents in 3 hours. He also is having confusion especially at night unable to navigate the house bumping into furniture unable to smell his food or treats on the floor in front of him.
I’m at a loss of what I should be doing. They have him scheduled for another glucose monitoring at regular vet. I cannot get an appointment with internal medicine for weeks. Should I go back to oncology now? Could the cancer have returned this quickly from follow up or since there was no CT could it have been there at the follow up?
Dear Neha,
I am so sorry Noodles’ health is declining and you are facing this difficult situation. What you describe could be the end stages of cancer, but it could also be unrelated. No matter the cause, it does sound like your boy may be in his final days. Ultimately, you have to decide how far you want to take things. Do you want to keep pushing for testing and treatment or would you rather switch over to hospice care? Either choice is fine, but you have to trust your intuition and go with what will bring you peace. It may be good to ask for a consultation with internal medicine. I am not sure the oncologist will be able to offer much unless this is cancer related. Hoping you can find the answers you need and praying for clarity. Bless you and your sweet boy.
my mom’s 5 year old shih Tzu was just diagnosed with MCT. she has surgery in a couple days to remove the tumor and so far the vet says it seems to be low grade but we have to wait for the pathology report. she’s just really concerned because we waited so long to get the right diagnosis. it was treated as folliculitis for months and it wasn’t until the vet realized the treatment wasn’t working that we did the needle aspiration. so my mom is really concerned we waited too long to find out but tumor never grew or changed shape and it’s below her rectum so we also just assumed it was from how she was sitting. is there anything I can share with my mom to reassure her about the prognosis (also her dog is otherwise healthy)? and if it does come back as being low grade and clean margins what is the likelihood it will reappear? I’ve read a lot of these other cases saying another MCT popped up very soon after. thank you and this article is very helpful
Hi Sabii,
I am sorry your mom’s dog has received this difficult diagnosis. I understand why she is concerned and think it is wonderful you are trying to find answers for her. Unfortunately, there is just no way to know how this mass will respond until it is removed, and you can get more information from the pathologist’s report. I am hopeful the surgery will go smoothly, and the mass can be completely removed. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance. Best wishes and good luck!
This was a very helpful article. One question I cannot find an answer to is what the prognosis looks like after a Grade III MCT is removed, clean margins, but a high Mitotic index of 15? I understand that MCT’s reoccur, I am just nervous that the agressiveness of this tumor means my French Bulldog only has a couple months to live even though it was completely removed and not highly vascularized. What are your thoughts?
Thank you
Dear Elisha,
I am so sorry your Bulldog has received this difficult diagnosis. The information you are looking for is in the paragraph titled “Life expectancy of dogs with mast cell tumors”. As it mentions, a Grade III tumor had an average survival time of 108 days and with a mitotic index of greater than 5, survival times were usually around 3 months. Not all dogs are “average” and just because that is what is expected doesn’t mean that will be reality for your pup. If you have any other questions about prognosis or treatment, I encourage you to reach out to your vet. They can follow up with the pathologist if more information is needed and can also request a consultation with a veterinary oncologist. I am praying for your strength and comfort as you navigate this emotional path. Make the most of the time you are gifted and give your sweet pup a hug for me. ♥
Thank you for your kind words 🙂
Our 9 year old Red Australian Cattle Dog had 1 Mast Cell Tumor Diagnosed and fully removed in August, but it was Grade 3 Stage 1. We were initially given 4 months by our regular vet, but after a visit with a pet oncologist we were given a wait and watch prognosis. We didn’t want to put her through chemo or other options because she absolutely hated the vets office. No particular reason, she just got very nervous to the point of throwing up. She was also already 9 years old, so we played the wait and watch game. In December, the lump started coming back in the exact same place. We went back to the oncologist, and put her on steroids and benadryl. The tumor slowly started to spread across her back. I say slowly, but multiple tumors had started to show up from December to March. She was still having fun chasing balls and playing with the kids, so we just let her be. 2 weeks ago she started to bleed from one of the tumors, but the bleeding stopped and scabbed over. We let her be still because she was still doing all the normal dog things. Monday night, a the big original tumor started to bleed profusely and wouldn’t stop. I took her in Tuesday, knowing it might be time to say goodbye. After speaking with the oncologist, and thinking about the fact that we were not going to get this bleeding to stop, and how much pain she would start to be in within a week, we said goodbye to our wonderful spunky, loving girl. She has been with us through the birth of our two children, and has been an amazing family dog. I am absolutely heartbroken and miserable, but when I think about if I made the right decision or not, I just think about her back, and the fact that she would have been in soooooooo much pain within as little as a week and realize that, yes I made the right choice. She got to go to sleep in my arms on a very comfortable blanket in a private room at the oncologist office. My 7 year old and I got to love on her and tell her we loved her. She then got to lay her head in my lap and go to sleep for the last time. I know this was much better than her passing in pain with her back riddled with mast cell tumors, but it still hurts that she isn’t here when I get home to greet me like an insane person that hasn’t eaten in months even though she just had biscuits that morning. Love on your pets, and don’t let them suffer! We keep them around for our own selfish reasons sometimes, and I made a promise to her when I found out she had cancer, that I would absolutely not let her suffer EVER. I did not let her even suffer for even a minute. I knew what was coming quickly and made the choice to let her go out comfortably in my arms.
Dear Jennifer,
My heart aches for you with the loss of your beloved girl. What a blessing she continued to feel good and enjoy life for several months after her diagnosis. I am glad you were able to spare her from unnecessary suffering and that her passing was smooth and peaceful. I am certain your presence was a comfort and that she knew how much she was loved. Thank you for being willing to share your experience with us. May the memories of all the good times you shared continue to be a source of happiness in your life. Bless you and your family.
I loved your very compassionate approach to caring for your pup. I will be doing the same for my Moose. I love her and she finally trusts someone with her sweet little life.. I won’t allow her to suffer a poor quality of life just to be alive. She will be comfortable and happy or it’s time to say goodbye, Moose suffered early in her life with so much uncertainty and instability. . . I promised her security, comfort, deliciousness, trust and happy . . . and I plan to follow through on all of it!!!!!! 💕✌️🐾
Hi Mootsie,
Moose is a very lucky girl to have you taking such good care of her. Wishing you both many happy days ahead. Bless you!
Thank you for this article. My fur baby is going on 14 years old. Last year she was diagnosed with a mast cell tumor in her anus and we did surgery and she had a bit of a rough time for a bit but recovered. It came back in January and we waited too long to have it looked at I think and it grew overnight and spread to her lymph in abdomen now. We have a choice of Palladia or Chemo or just to ride it out with steroids. I am torn what to do of course you have the expense but more importantly we have another dog and small son so worried about chemo / palladia toxicity in the house with urine especially with steroid she urinates a lot and then any other defeciation or vomit that might occur. I would love to try homepathic medicine but do not know if anything with the steroid and benadryl to help extend things for her. I really do not know what to do because even with chemo it would be 6 to 9 months maybe. Any advice or alternatives I will take advice – Thx
Dear Claudine,
My heart aches for you as you face this uncertain future with your senior girl. I am not aware of any specific homeopathic remedies for this type of tumor but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist. I would encourage you to reach out to an integrative vet in your area or find one that specializes in Traditional Chinese Medicine. I understand your concern with exposing your family to toxic substances in the bodily fluids of your pup due to chemotherapy. It is not wrong to pursue palliative care as the most important thing is to ensure your girl is comfortable and happy for the time she has left. Hoping you can find the answers you need to make the best choice for everyone involved. Praying for strength and clarity as you navigate this unknown path.
Thank you for all the great information! Our 3 year old lab was diagnosed with a MCT on his head – near his ear. It was removed and found to be Grade II, low grade, low mitotic index, clean margins. That was about 5 months ago and he’s been healthy since. His vet isn’t concerned about any follow up preventative measures. Since this cancer is related to histamine response I’m concerned about him getting his regular vaccinations – rabies, etc. He’s due for them next month. Do you have any thoughts? Possible titers instead? He also has food allergies and is itchy in general. He was on daily Apoquel prior to being diagnosed and has continued on it all thi time. I’m concerned about him continuing on Apoquel. Do you have any info on this? Thank you!!
Hi Amy,
I understand your concern for your lab and think it is great you are taking such an active role in advocating for his health and well-being. I have not seen any evidence to show that vaccines stimulate the growth of mast cell tumors. I routinely vaccinate patients that have had these types of tumors removed and would feel comfortable doing the same for my own pup. As far as continuing Apoquel goes, it may be worth discussing with your vet. Apoquel does not necessarily cause cancer but has been known to allow cancer that is already present to grow rapidly due to its immune suppressive effects. Since the surgery for you boy was successful and clean margins were achieved, he may be low risk. But most dogs that get one mast cell tumor end up forming others just because of their genetic predisposition to these types of masses. If the Apoquel is helping to control your boy’s allergy symptoms, it may not be worth taking him off the medication as uncontrolled allergies can make a dog extremely miserable. That’s a tough call! I encourage you to talk with your vet and even pursue a consultation with a specialist if needed. Hoping you can find a clear path forward and wishing you all the best for many happy years ahead with your sweet boy.
My dog was diagnosed 7 weeks ago her lump grew from a golf ball to a softball very quickly and ulcerated before the surgery, she’s now 3 weeks post op and they removed the tumor with clear margins and now want to start treatment which we think is palladia, but we’re struggling with our next steps as vets aren’t being very informative.
She’s 12, is healthy other then the cancer diagnosis, and has a sensitive stomach. We’re trying to decide whether to medicate or let her live her life as she is rather then trying drugs that make her suffer, we don’t know what grade she’s at, what the prognosis is, or what the realistic expectations are, and all articles talk about medication as being used where surgery isn’t possible, but the surgery is complete and we can’t see any evidence of other external tumors.
Hi Charlie,
I am sorry your senior girl has been through so much over the past few months. I understand your concern especially with the lack of communication from the veterinary staff. If the mass was sent out for pathological evaluation after removal, the pathologist should have given some indication of the grade and prognosis for you girl. I would encourage you to ask your vet to go over the pathology report with you or you can ask for a copy to read through yourself. Be honest about your concerns and don’t be afraid to be persistent when trying to gather information. You can always ask to speak with a veterinary oncologist as well. Ultimately you have to go with your intuition. You know your girl better than anyone. It is ok to focus on quality of life over quantity and your girl’s comfort and happiness are what is most important. Praying for strength and clarity as you navigate this difficult path. Bless you and your sweet girl.
How can I learn how to detect cutaneous Hemangiosarcoma?
Recently we had a cyst removed from our liver-spotted Dalmatian, Kona Boy.
I’ve been keeping track of all his bumps since he was around 3 or 4 years old. Most are deep under the skin hard bumps. He’s also had one pus-filled pocket/follicle that took months to resolve. One wort, and recently (after his 12th birthday) 1 aural hematoma (that would bleed, scab, but not heal) on the lower edge of one of his ears and 2 bloody looking oral pockets: 1 on his left gum, and 1 on the hair-lip line on the opposite side of his mouth. I also noticed Kona Boy rubbing his jaw each night before coming to bed – a new habit.
Checking with my vet we decided to remove the three bloody ones. The ear and the gum came back “negative.” The one bloody cyst on the hairline came back as cutaneous Hemangiosarcoma (cHSA). It was felt by our vet that this cyst was actinic based upon her experience with Dalmatians and Pitbulls. And, based upon one dye recommended by the lab. However, staining for p53 and phospho-p53 Serine392 was not used which I was informed would have been more definitive in identifying the family of cHSA but much more costly.
At this point, I am back to monitoring for new bumps. I’ve noticed that he’s gotten a few small clumps of hairs stuck together (did he scratch himself?), and notices that I am paying more attention to them than he’d like me to do. And also, I am not skilled at identifying bloody cysts. For example, I recently discovered 2 bloody bumps on Kona Boy’s belly which were nothing more than focal infections. So, I feel like I was lucky and just observant enough last time. How can I be taught to do better?
Hi Tom,
I understand your concern for Kona Boy and think it is wonderful you are taking such a proactive stance in monitoring him for new lumps and bumps. While it would be very beneficial for everyone (veterinarians included) to be able to identify types of masses based solely on their outward appearance, this just isn’t possible. There are things that can make one suspicious or suspect a certain type of mass, but without cytology or sending tissue for pathology to review, a definitive diagnosis cannot be made. I have had several instances where I was fairly sure of the type of mass one of my patients had, and then after receiving pathology results found out I was completely wrong. You best bet is to continue documenting any new growths or spots and relay the information to your vet. You may be able to email your vet pictures of the spots and then they can advise you if an exam is needed for further assessment. You are doing a great job and Kona Boy is very lucky to have you taking such good care of him. Wishing you all the best and keep up the good work!
For more information check out our podcast: The Myths and Misconceptions of Cancer in Dogs with Dr. Sue, Cancer Vet
Hi, thanks for this article. I have an 11 year old pit bull who was diagnosed with mast cell tumors over two years ago. We did stelfonta when it was just one tumor and it healed and looked ok for a bit but then it spread all around that spot and came back. It stayed pretty local for awhile but now he is slowly getting more bumps. The area where it was originally is so big they can’t do surgery. So right now he’s on prednisone and just oozing and bleeding all the time. He’s getting proud flesh that I have to clean off. The hot towel thing is not enough and I know they say not to stimulate it but his flesh is rotting on him and it stinks and is so gross I cant just leave it. His energy is ok, he’s always been a big sleeper and still is but he loves his walks, he eats and poops fine but he has the worst gas that he never had before. I imagine you cant advise on this but Ive been to various vets and Im not sure what to do. They say he’s not in pain but I am very skeptical of this. How would they know? He’s always been very stoic. And it’s huge, red, puffy, itchy, oozing and bleeding. I was told I’ll know when it spreads and when it’s time to put him down because he wont eat or he’ll get digestive issues. But it’s been months of no issues except more gas. I’ve changed his diet, I give him meds as well as prescribed herbs to try to heal him. Im just worried Im causing him to suffer and that maybe, despite it being really hard, I should put him down. Wondering if you have any different words of advice than what Ive been given? His name is Pudge and he’s such a sweet guy. I really want to do what’s best for him but I don’t know what that is.
Dear Maggie,
I am so sorry Pudge is having these issues and you are facing such a difficult situation. While I can’t give specific advice, I can offer some guidance on navigating this end-of-life stage. When dogs are nearing their final days, the enter into a “window” of time where euthanasia is a loving option. If they have just stepped into this window, then they may still have some good days and be fairly functional. As time progresses, they will move toward the end of this window where is will be very obvious that saying goodbye is the best choice. Pudge may have just entered his window but that doesn’t mean that letting go is wrong. It is ok to say goodbye before all joy is lost and the only thing that remains is pain and suffering. I always think it is better to let go one day too early rather than one day too late and allow unnecessary suffering. I will attach links to other articles with more information and great advice from other readers as well. I feel confident you will find the answers you need to make your way forward. Wishing you and Pudge all the best. Bless you both. ♥
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. Dog Euthanasia: Knowing When to Say Goodbye
3. How Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt Messages
4. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
Maggie my story is almost identical and I just want you to know I’m going through the same thing right now. my biggest worry is that he is in pain because for thr past 2 days he just constantly shivers and the mass is like the size of 2 baking potatoes which appeared a week after staple removal of a mass tumor. my monster is 11 years old and pit bull also.
Hi Lisa,
I am so sorry your boy is facing this difficult situation. Praying for his comfort and healing and wishing you both brighter days ahead.
Wow. I’m going through the same thing right now. My 11 year old pit we just removed about 80 percent of the mass. Biopsy came back grade 3. We remove staples this week. I pray we don’t have to deal with another mass and perhaps she’ll go on her own. Thinking of you guys. 🙏
Dear Brittany,
I am sorry you are facing this difficult situation with your senior girl. Praying for healing and many happy years ahead. ♥
My pug, Zoey, is 14 and was diagnosed over 3 years ago with a mast cell tumor.
We decided to not have surgery because of her breathing problems, so we give her Benadryl and Pepcid it slowed the growth down. Within the last month it’s gotten a lot bigger. Then when we awoke it had ruptured in bed. It was dripping blood. Took her to vet and he tried to freeze it worked for a few minutes then started to bleed again. He said that it wasn’t time to put her down seeing that she was acting ok. He kept her to see if he could get the bleeding stopped with no luck. But it’s so huge. She usually always eats and sometimes acts like a puppy. She does have days where she won’t eat and sleeps a lot. Her skin is coming a part at the tumor. I don’t know what to do. Do I have her put to sleep? I don’t want to feel like a murderer.
Dear Geri,
I am sorry you are facing this difficult situation with your senior girl. If surgery is not an option, then you may have to make some emotional decisions about Zoey’s quality of life. Dogs are good at hiding pain and discomfort, and I would think that if her skin is coming apart and the tumor is bleeding, there is no way this is not causing some level of pain. I know you don’t want to let go too soon, but sometimes saying goodbye is the most loving option. It is ok to pursue euthanasia while there is still some happiness, before all joy is lost and the only thing that remains is suffering. We often focus on a good life, but a peaceful goodbye is just as important. I will attach links to other article with more information. Hoping you can find the advice you need to make the choice that is best for everyone involved. Bless you and your sweet girl.
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. Dog Euthanasia: Knowing When to Say Goodbye
3. How Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt Messages
Look up CBD for dogs. Get Heal, Vitality, and Remedy. The reviews are great with MCT
Thank you so much for the informative article. I’ve been searching for all the information I can after our 8 year old Shar Pei was diagnosed with mast cell tumors that seemingly sprouted up overnight. There were three or four of them and they were located on his right side belly area. After aspiration, his vet recommended surgery and we are about a month past his surgery date. His diagnosis was Grade II and the vet was unfortunately unable to get clean margins even after removing a large patch of skin requiring 20 stitches. After his stiches were removed, he began licking at the area the stitches were in and he literally hasn’t stopped since. We’ve tried antibiotics, predisone, Benedryl, and Zyrtec at different doses and the poor guy just is not getting any relief. I have never seen anything like the way the skin looks and we have been lifelong dog companions. The site is puffy, rough, dark maroon, and has a brain-like resemblance (difficult to explain). In the past couple days he’s had a similar spot sprout up behind his right shoulder bone in an area he can’t even possibly lick but it closely resembles the spot he’s licking anyway. I’ve spent days/hours researching and can’t find others who have experienced the same. Is this something you are familiar with? We have another appointment at the vet tomorrow, and we trust her guidance, but at this point we are just looking for anything that could help him. I’m not sure if this is due to degranulation of the original tumors although they were removed and it wasn’t until after removal that this situation came about. We’ve tried the E. collar, but his life is miserable in it – I know, small price to pay, but it’s not sustainable in our minds to expect him to tolerate a collar while having such an incredible itch (for who knows how long). We are committed to his quality of life over quantity of life, but can’t seem to get around this issue. Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated.
Dear Season,
I am sorry you are facing this difficult situation with your Shar Pei. Since the surgical margins were not clean, I am highly suspicious that the complications your pup is experiencing are related to continued growth of the tumor cells. I am glad you had an appointment already scheduled with your vet. What did you find out? Hoping you were able to get some answers. Wishing you both the best and praying for a positive outcome.
Thank you. They increased the Benedryl to two pills/three times a day, increased Prednisone to 1/2 a pill twice a day for 5 days, then 1/2 a pill daily, gave him a shot of Convenia antibiotics to go along with the current antibiotic he is just finishing up, and gave him a donut to wear around his neck instead of the Eliz. collar. Other than that, they didn’t say a lot other than they have seen similar with other dogs who have had mast cell tumors removed. I’m surprised, as I still can’t find anything about dogs experiencing this type of reaction. Now his rear right leg is swollen and I notice his skin elsewhere is ‘bubbling’ for lack of a better description. Looks like little fluid filled bubbles on his skin if you part his fur, and the spots where this is happening are very itchy to him.
Poor guy…just feel awful for him. They said to call if things get worse and that they are not concerned with the swelling in his back leg unless he seems to be in pain from it. He does not seem to be in pain from it, although it takes some concentration to jump up on my lap or on the bed now. I guess I’m just hoping some of this will clear up? I can’t imagine him living like this for the remainder of his life. Do you think something like Apoquel would work better for the itchy skin or is the Benedryl truly the best option to block the histamines?
Hi Season,
Goodness your poor boy is going through so much. I wish there were clear answers, and I could tell you what was best. Without examining your pup myself it is hard to give specific advice. The “bubbling” you describe has me very puzzled. I am wondering if these itchy spots could be hives. If so, I am a bit concerned as you normally treat hives with Benadryl and steroids, both of which your dog is already taking. While Apoquel might help with the level of itching your dog is experiencing, it will not help to combat the histamine release and side effects. Apoquel works to block the “itch” signal to the brain but doesn’t actually treat inflammation or block histamine. I am not sure if it would be good to add it to the mix, but I definitely would not use it instead of Benadryl or discontinue giving the Benadryl. With so many complications, I would encourage you to consider scheduling a consultation with a specialist. They can review your boy’s case details and let you know if there are other treatment options that should be explored. Praying for answers and a clear path forward. Bless you and your sweet boy.
Sorry for the multiple replies, just wanted to make an update in case anyone is looking for this info on a Shar Pei and can’t find it. I finally found photos online of what is happening with our dog. It is called cutaneous mucinosis, and I believe it is actually specific to Shar Pei’s. It seems that these bubbles are sometimes present due to large number of mast cells or maybe as a reaction to them. I have another call into the vet now that I’ve found similar cases online.
Again, thanks for the care and advice. Sites like this are a wealth of information for those seeking others in the same boat.
Hi Season,
That is very interesting! Thank you for sharing this information!
Hi,
I have been reading thru all these cases due to experiencing a mass cell on my pup. You mentioned the little bubble like things appearing on your pup. My dog as well got them. Vet made a guess attempt and said staff infection. I gave my pup the full dose of meds and it changed nothing. I went back in irritated as I have had a lot of guess diagnosis before and they have been not only wrong but very wrong.
I asked them to do skin tests so we can all know for sure what it is. They took three tests. one for staff infection, one for fungal and yeast, and one inflammation. They all came back negative.
These bumps were located exactly were the mass cell ( low grade cancer) was regrowing.
They eventually went away on there own but they were very itchy to my pup.
I would say about a month later the mass cell grew to the size of a grapefruit if not bigger in that exact spot.
we have been bathing her in a antiseptic antifungal shampoo and that seemed to help with the irritation of the skin….but I think it is mass cell related. I hope this helps. I can share my whole experience with you about her tumor if you think it might help.
sincerely
Priscilla and Nelly
Hi, thank you so much for posting this article. Our baby jug nala is 6 years old. A small lump appeared on her chest back in 2022. Due to it being a lump we automatically panicked and took her straight to the vets. The vet examined the lump and said it was nothing to worry about it was just a fatty lump. In 2024 we noticed the lump was getting slightly bigger. We took nala back to the vets and she was seen by a different vet who stated it felt suspicious and suggested a scan. The scan showed it could be sinister and surgery and a biopsy was suggested. We went ahead with this. Unfortunately they could not get clean margins and the results was a low grade, well differentiated, well granulated mast cell tumour. Further surgery was suggested but this would have put nalas leg at risk. The vet seemed to think it may not come back at all so we decided against further surgery as we didn’t want to put her through anymore at that time. Especially as she developed a large swelling after the initial op full of fluid and also had a blood clot so she had to be sedated again. 12 weeks later the lump returned, I knew just by the feel of it that it had come back. A FNA was performed and it came back as a mast cell tumour, well differentiated and well granulated. The vet suggested another surgery to remove it. She went in for surgery a few days ago. The vet opened her up, saw the position it was in and knew he couldn’t get nowhere near good enough margins and also stated her whole chest muscle was very bumpy. He was unable to tell whether this was scar tissue from the previous op or whether it was a sign the mast cells were spreading. He said in order to remove what was needed he would need to remove the majority of the chest muscle and nala would end up with no quality of life. He suggested a referral to oncology. Our pet insurance is refusing to cover anything mast cell related for nala as they said the lump relates to the lump she was seen for back in 2022 when she was covered under a different provider. We were told it was a fatty lump and nothing to worry about. A fatty lump is cosmetic rather than a medical condition, after a few important discussions with our vet he stated how much trauma nala would need to go through if she goes to oncology. Nala is perfectly fine in herself, she just wants to eat; drink and play. Our pet insurance will not cover any of Nalas mast cell treatment due to it relating to the lump she was seen for in 2022 when she was under another provider. We were told it was a fatty lump and nothing to worry about. The vet kind of said to us that he would play devils advocate and to not put ourselves in financial troubles. To us it’s not about the money. Whatever it is if it would work and wouldn’t put her through hell we would do it but the vet has said how much she would need to go through and it might not even work. Distraught at the thought of losing our baby. It’s so hard knowing what is right for her. Would us putting her through more and more surgeries etc be a selfish choice when she could have a couple of years where she is unaffected by the tumour. Our vet has stated he doesn’t feel like she needs to be on any medication yet as she’s not getting any effects and if we choose not to go to oncology we can monitor the progress via bloods every 3-6 months and steroids etc would be issued when the disease progresses. Torn over what to do next
Dear Kirsty,
I am sorry Nala has been through so much over the past few years. I understand your concern for her well-being and think she is lucky to have you advocating so strongly for her. Without playing a personal role in her medical care, it is hard to make specific conclusions and recommendations. You know your girl better than anyone and I encourage you to trust your intuition. I am not sure there is one right or wrong way to proceed. Hoping you can find the best way to keep Nala comfortable for as long as possible. Wishing you both many happy days ahead.
I loved this article. It helped me to understand mast cell tumors more. My dog had a small grade 1 mast cell tumor removed last year from his front leg. Now he has a small tumor on his testicle. My vet said she would need to remove his entire scrotum because of the location. It is January, my question is because of the size, do you think that I could wait until the end of March to do his surgery? Do you think it could have a big change in the next couple of months? I am a teacher and hoping to wait until Easter break to get his surgery so I can be home with him, but at the same time I am worried about it spreading. What do you think?
Hi Valerie,
I am sorry your pup has another mass and is facing surgery again. There is really no way to know how rapidly the mass could grow or spread. Typically, tumors that are malignant tend to progress faster than those that are benign (not always). Since the tumor is on the testicle, you are basically just dealing with healing time from a routine neuter. These guys usually bounce back very quickly and are back to normal within 24 hours. Some are already hyper and feeling great the same day when they are sent home. I would not expect you would need a lengthy amount of time for his recovery. You could probably see if your vet can schedule the surgery for a Friday and then he could be home with you for the weekend just to be overly cautious. With all that said, if it were my own dog, I would want to do the surgery sooner rather than later. Wishing you and your sweet boy the best!
Thanks for the article. I just found out today that my 9 year old male dog has MCT in his ear flap. He previously had a hematoma in that ear and so I thought he had developed another. My vet checked it today while he was getting a teeth cleaning and confirm MCT. she said she wouldn’t be able to see the stage it was in without completely removing it. The hard part is that due to its location (lower part of the ear flap closer to the canal), she would have to remove a majority, if not all of this ear. It was confusing because she actually stated she would not personally pick that option. But then that means we would never know what stage it is..? She did recommend the Benadryl and Pepcid. And that if it got bigger we could readdress the removal. But that’s a little concerning to me. Any one have opinions or experience with this? Other than this issue, my dog is perfectly healthy and never had a surgery or issue before. Big decisions to be made.
Hi Grace,
I understand your concern for your boy with the terrible location of this new MCT. I do not have personal experience with removing one from the ear pinna. I know that taking the entire ear will permanently change the way your pup looks, but when it comes to cancer, I tend to be more aggressive and prefer to try and get it all the first time. It may be a good idea to ask for a consultation with an oncologist or surgeon. They can give you their expert opinion and help you understand all the options and prognosis associated with each. Praying for clarity and strength as you navigate this difficult road. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance.
This is such an informative article! Thank you!
Our 1 year old Soft Coat Wheaten Terrier was just diagnosed with a small mast tumor. Surgery is in a week. Needless to say we’re floored with this news and want the very best outcome for our sweet Oona.
Hi Leslie,
I am glad to hear the article was helpful. Thank you for the positive feedback. Hoping the surgery goes smoothly and your sweet Oona will make a speedy recovery. Best wishes to you both!
Our approx 4 year old dachshund/australian silkie mix (adopted) was found to have a squishy lump between toe pads on the very bottom of his left hind foot. we though it was a bite from a spider etc. Doctors who looked aspirated. the first time nothing conclusive. second time found mast cells. Since it is on the bottom of his fairly small foot, between the pads it is not good for removal, couldn’t get a good margin. They said not good for radiation as dogs pads are very sensitive to radiation. So next Tuesday he will get his injection of Stelfonta. Oncologist said he is perfect for this procedure. I am terrified because I am reading how terrible the pain is….even on other parts of the body. So can’t imagine how terrible this will be on the bottom of his foot. He is such a sweet boy and I am just terrified but trying not to show it. The only other option would be amputation so we must try this…but…his is scary if he will be in pain, perhaps unable to walk to go potty, and here in Florida we are having a real cold spell with possible rain that week. We are getting a canopy to put up outside the door in hopes it will help with bathroom breaks and of course worry whether we can get his meds in him since many reviews say they lose appitites. I have the second bedroom set up for him and me (to separate us from the other dog if need be) and doing everything we can to try and make this be successful but also less traumatic. I can’t find any reviews or stories about a MCT with Stelfonta on the very bottom of the foot so i am at a loss as to how all this will come about. Prayers will be helpful of course…..but thank you for your information you have given.
Hi Alberta,
I understand your concern for your pup and can only imagine how worried you must be. I am glad your vet is willing to give Stelfonta a try! How did things go? I would love an update and find out what you thought about the treatment and recovery process. How is your boy doing today? Hoping to hear back from you and wishing you and your sweet boy all the best.
My dog, a 10 year golden doodle, had 10 masses biopsied, 3 came back positive for mast cell tumors, they seemed to be low grade, but wanted to confirm after surgical removal and pathology results of tissue. The problematic one in her armpit, which was the size of a golf ball ulcerated before surgery. Anyway after removal of all 3, they could not find any tumor tissue (they can disappear and then reappear at any time). So inconclusive for results. 3 months later another growth in the same problematic area and a nearby lymph node that grew quickly to the size of an egg appeared. Next week she goes for ultrasound, biopsies, and surgery, just hoping that it hasnt metastasized to organs. She is in super great health, still jumping up 2 feet high to catch frizbees, i am hoping these are signs that it hasn’t metastasized to organs.
Hi Susan,
I am sorry your senior girl is dealing with these terrible tumors again. I am glad to hear you have an appointment already scheduled to have them removed and evaluated. Hoping for good results from the pathologist. Feel free to keep us updated on any new developments. Wishing you and your girl the best for many happy days ahead.
My 5 year old boxer has a subcutaneous mast cell on the side of his face below and behind his eye on the jaw area. It was aspirated and we were told it was mast cell. The vet said we can do surgery, it is about half the size of a golf ball. The vet recommended prednisone (30mg) for a week before surgery to hopefully shrink it somewhat and the lump has completely disappeared in 4 days. There is no evidence by feeling anything exists now. Is it possible for prednisone to completely shrink a tumor in 4 days to disappear like that or maybe it was some other issue causing the lump?
Hi Todd,
Wow, that is surprising! Prednisone can definitely shrink tumors quite a bit, but I wouldn’t think it would completely disappear. I guess it is possible that even though there were mast cells present in the sample that this growth was just “reactive”. Take this as a blessing but make sure you stay vigilant for the possibility it could return. Hoping your sweet boy is in the clear and you can focus on the good times ahead.
I have a 6 year old pug that was diagnosed with a mast cell tumor. I was reading through all of these comments last week when my dog was in surgery to get her tumor removed and I was so worried it would be high grade. We just got the results back from the vet yesterday and she said it was a low grade tumor and the blood vessels and margins were cancer free. She said it was the best outcome we could hope for. We’re getting an oncologist appointment to discuss the findings in more detail and to have her check my dog to make sure there’s no other spots that look concerning but as of right now, she’s cancer free and I couldn’t be happier!
I’m going to be super thorough in checking her out for the rest of her life and i’m looking into diet affects on the immune system and everything so that i can do everything I can to help slow down the chances of another one occurring, but she’s an at risk breed and there’s no definite way to prevent them so i’m sure she’ll probably get another one. I’m just glad she’s okay for now and I’ll have another few years (I hope) with her.
I’m leaving this comment for everyone going through what I did and read all the comments about dogs getting higher grade tumors and making my anxiety sky high, My best advice is hope for the best but expect the worst. I was ready to take the next steps if she had a high grade tumor, i had looked up radiation and chemo and other treatments. I was aware that was a real possibility, but I was very hopeful that I wouldn’t need to use those. And it looks like right now, I won’t need to use those yet.
Hi Mel,
This is such wonderful news! Thank you for sharing your story with us. You are right that our readers need to hear the positive outcomes and happy endings too. I am elated for you and your sweet girl and wishing you both many happy years ahead. Bless you!
Such a wonderfully written article . My beautiful 12 yr old red fox lab has had multiple surgeries thanks to these pesky MCT. One was low grade and two aggressive . He has had a tailectomy so now has a wonderful little nubbin . Now we aptly name his nubbins McGee. He has a sizeable scar on his right leg and smaller one on his left . This all happened over a very intense few months . I work in a clinic and my amazing boss got great margins .. however tonight I have found another . I know exactly what it is . After the last surgery me and my family decieded we will not put him through anymore surgery . He has acute arthritis in one joint and it’s moving and a massive mass on his left leg around his muscle that cannot be removed . This is lovingly named his turkey leg . We’ve seen his birthday , he is on piriton twice a day , zitac, gabapentin and omeprazole . I’m just going to have to enjoy every day with him . I think the time will be soon my devoted loving boy . Thankyou again for an amazingly written article .
Dear Nikki,
My heart goes out to you as you face this emotional path ahead. It sounds like your boy has had an amazing life and is loved beyond measure. I wish you both comfort and peace and hope his last days are filled with happiness. Bless you and your senior pup. ♥
My boy Max was diagnosed july 2022 with a mct on his lip. We were told it would take surgery, 16 rounds of radiation under an anesthesia and chemo and that it might buy him 8 more months, but he would not be cured. Because of the location there would not be clean margins, and it had spread to the lymph nodes.. We opted for palliative care and he was doing great until the past few weeks. It has been 15 months and the tumor has become bigger than it’s ever been (the size of 2 grapes).. Max still enjoys doing things and has a good appetite, but now the tumor bleeds. Tonight, it ulcerated and a chunk came off. I was able to stop and slow the bleed with Yunnan Baiyao and will be calling the vet tomorrow but don’t know that there is much they can do. Anyone have experience with mct on / in the dogs mouth area?
Dear Nancy,
My heart goes out to you as you face this difficult situation with Max. I hope your vet was able to offer some help and guidance on the best way to proceed. Sometimes bleeding tissue can be cauterized but with a mast cell tumor in play I am not sure that is a viable option. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance. Praying you were able to get things under control and give your sweet boy some more time. Bless you both.
My red nose pitbull unfortunately developed many tumors at the same time. Our vet actually counted 23 that were visible and thought there were probably more we couldn’t see. We removed the 4 that were the ones he felt were most serious including one right over his rectum and one in his scrotum. Unfortunately, another started growing off of the top of his back leg. It’s now probably 30 lbs. I’m sure his time is here, it’s just breaking my heart. He’ll be 10 in January and I lost my husband 3 years ago and he hasn’t left my side. One of the best dogs I have ever owned.
Dear Rebecca,
I am so sorry your senior guy is dealing with all these worrisome issues. I understand your concern and wish there was more I could do to relieve your burden. Praying for a clear path forward and wishing you both comfort and peace.
Our sweet boy Bobo was diagnosed with Mast Cell cancer 4 years ago and underwent surgery to remove a large fast growing tumor on his ribcage area. The surgeon got complete margins and the tumor was low grade. We went 3 years with only small tumors popping up and sometimes disappearing on their own. Over the past year we have been dealing with aggressive and agitated tumors on his left shoulder and armpit. He underwent another surgery and sadly the surgeon did not get complete margins and it was a slightly higher grade tumor. His entire shoulder and armpit area are covered in different size tumors. They are bleeding very badly, we have tried Yunnan Baiyao and it hasn’t seemed to work. He has had 4 rounds of Vinblastine IV chemo and is on daily prednisone. We feel so defeated. He is eating, drinking, going to the bathroom normal. He loves cuddling with his dad and I and his little sister, Gem. We are scheduled to have 4 more chemo treatments over the next 2 months but with how badly these tumors are bleeding we are not sure what to do at this point. I’ve also had him on the Honest Kitchen limited ingredient fish recipe diet and taking a high quality Turkey Tail mushroom supplement. I feel like we’ve done everything right and this cancer is just acting so aggressive. I wish there was something I could do to better stop the bleeding and shrink the tumors so he could have at least one last run around the field with his sister. He is only 8 years old. We love him so much.
Hi Rachel,
What a challenging road you have been on with Bobo. It sounds like you and his veterinary team have been trying all the right things to manage his MCTs, and he just isn’t responding as hoped or expected anymore. It would certainly be discouraging and upsetting to see all these tumors pop up and start bleeding significantly. I too wish that I had some sort of magical solution for you that could make things better, and I bet your vet and veterinary oncologist feel the same way. Maybe at his next chemo appointment (or before) you could reach out to the oncologist and ask to discuss the options moving forward. If nothing else, perhaps the oncologist would have ideas for some palliative care measures that could help him get that one last run around the field with his sister.
My heart goes out to you as you treasure the time with him and seek the best path forward. ❤️
I have have a 7 year old red fox lab that has had two surgeries to remove MCTs . Her first one was low grade 11 but her second one is aggressive . Both have clear margins and screening tests, have shown no visible growths on her liver or spleen .although there is some indication of inflammation of the liver from her blood tests . Biopsy of the her lymph’s nodes on her neck near the MCT show no swelling or spread of cancer yet and the results are the same with the biopsy of the liver and spleen . However I have been advised chemo which I am unsure I want to put her through . Has anyone had a similar experience ?.. or any advice
Hi Claire,
I am sorry your pup has had to go through two different surgeries to deal with these worrisome tumors. What a blessing the margins were clear and the follow up testing shows no sign of spread at this time. I hope someone with firsthand experience with using chemo for their dog will be able to comment and offer advice. Most of my clients forgo chemo just due to the cost. How is your girl feeling today? Hoping all is well and praying for a clear path forward. Bless you both. ♥
Our 9 yo mixed breed dog, Chloe, was diagnosed with a Mast Cell Tumor end of July. She had a large tumor that formed between her two middle toes- very fast growing. It was first diagnosed and treated as a interdigital cyst.
She was started in Benadryl right away after the MCT diagnosis while we considered the best treatment course for her. Surgical removal seemed the best option for her- to attain margins her two middle toes would need to be removed. This concerned us greatly in what it would mean to her- impact on her – quality of life for her.- which was our priority. Through much discussion with the vet we decided to go ahead with that surgery to give her the best chance at living a longer life. While losing the toes would impact her- it seemed that would not have too great of a change in her quality of life- dogs are resilient.
The surgery (8-10-23) went well- they were able to leave part of one toe which was said to be positive for balance. Test results and staging came back favorably – stage two- good margins were attained and no spread. Chloe was otherwise very healthy in every way. Good news.
Intense recovery was needed- (minimally for a month) due to the location of the tumor/ surgery (paw). She was on an antibiotic , anti inflammatory, anti itch, pain med, anti anxiety med, and the Benadryl. We needed to keep her off the paw as much as we could. Daily bandage changes. The paw looked pretty rough- the remaining part of the toe concerned us as it was quite raw looking. I was really wondering how all would heal.
.We communicated with the vet, sent pictures, and were told post care was going well and we were doing a great job. Chloe day two was not even limping. One week in- overnight Chloe worked around her cone and removed her bandage- and ate the bandage. (!) We took her into the vet for exam and treatment. She received staples in her foot to pull the incisions more together and the paw was looking pretty good. (She was able to pass the bandage- ex rays done to check on her )…
The next few days after this the paw began not looking as good- especially the remaining part of her toe. We took her in for examination. Devastatingly, some of the tissue had began to die- bone was also exposed. The initial plan was her having a second surgery to correct these issues.( something needed to be done). She still needed a thorough examination by her treating vet/surgeon, and we again wanted to discuss the best course to take. Devastating news was that while surgery could be done, if successful, recovery was going to be more difficult and longer. The likely hood of more complications which we already had faced would be higher. The best case outcome (no additional complications) would leave her with limitations and chronic pain- needing ongoing pain meds.
Soul searching led us to the heartbreaking decision that it was time to say goodbye to our sweet girl. The likelihood of quality life seemed unlikely. We did not want to put her through life in this limited and painful way that had become her world. We proceeded with euthanasia in a very loving way- so hard, but felt we were doing best for her.. This occurred 8-24-23.
I am beyond devastated at losing our girl so young and otherwise healthy. It all happened so quickly. . I question and second guess our actions and decisions. all along the way. I know I didn’t want her to suffer. I am feeling so guilty- paired with my extreme grief at her loss and the emptiness of our home. I keep searching for info out there that I missed- or that is different than the course and options we had. I have learned all cases are different and we faced extra challenges with the location of Chloe’s tumor.
Reading the experiences of others is helpful- though makes me sad at what complications can occur in other cases as well as ours
. My best wishes, empathy and prayers for all dealing with this.
Dear Brenda,
My heart aches for you with your tragic loss of Chloe. It is normal to ponder all the “what ifs” while grieving but please don’t continue to carry around the unnecessary burden of guilt. You did everything you could to give your girl the best chance at life. I would have made the same choices if in a similar situation. I am certain Chloe knew how much she was loved and that she lived a very happy life. May her memory be a blessing to you always. Wishing you healing and peace.
Brenda thank you so much for posting your story. I am so sorry for your loss of Cloe. My 8 1/2 year old pit mix Rigby was diagnosed today with a mast cell between his 2 middle toes on his front paw. My biggest concern with removal is exactly the scenario you described. Having it on the foot makes it so much hard to decide what to do. So far he doesn’t even know it is there. This is such a heart breaking decision.
Dear Kay,
I am so sorry you are facing this difficult decision for Rigby. Wishing your sweet boy all the best and praying for a positive outcome.
Hi Dr Buzby – thank you so much for this Q&A that you have been responding to. It is so full of information that can be hard for people to find . One question I’m not sure I have seen answered well anywhere is what exactly is degranulation? On one hand, it sounds like disintegration/as if the tumor disintegrates and spreads (?) but that’s not quite what the literature says. If you could share any more light on the importance/ significance of that event and what it looks like/how an owner can tell if it has happened with any particular tumor, that would be very very helpful. Is it more about the way it causes the dog to be uncomfortable/itchy at site of the tumor? Or what is the “before”/“after” of degranulation? Thank you! .(8yo lab, spot/bump on groin; path came back as MCT, waiting to get biopsy/surgery for staging. His tumor is almost “flat” now from the small raised pea it was… so does that mean it “degranulized”? .) Again, thank you!
Hi Sarah,
This is a GREAT question! So, each different type of cell in the body has different parts and pieces that allow it to do its specific function. This is how pathologist are able to look at cells under a microscope and identify where they came from (liver vs. spleen, etc.). Mast cells are unique because they contain granules. These granules hold many different nasty/destructive substances, of which the most commonly mentioned is histamine. When a mast cell tumor becomes irritated it will cause its cells to release the substances they are holding inside (degranulate). Histamine is what causes a mosquito bite to become very red, swollen, and itchy. This is also why we usually apply some sort of cortisone or antihistamine cream to an itchy spot. A mild degranulation of an MCT will cause it to become slightly enlarged, red, and possibly itchy. A massive degranulation episode can lead to an anaphylactic reaction and some of these are fatal. It all just depends on what substances are released and what amount makes it into the bloodstream and surrounding tissues. I hope that clears things up a bit. Wishing you and your Lab the best!
Our Bernese/Golden Retriever mix was diagnosed with a MCT on his left ear in February and had surgery very quickly to remove it. We then noticed, after only 2 or 3 weeks that there were several small granules near the incision site that after a few months had joined and created a new mass around 2.5cm across. While waiting for an appointment to address this new find we came across a much larger mass in his left shoulder that was 11cm across. Three weeks after discovering the second and third masses it was confirmed that they were both MCT and our dog had a full body CT and subsequent surgery over the next 2 days.
The CT results stated that there were no further masses found and no metastasis indicated in any of his organs.
the histopathology did conclude that they were high grade tumors that carried a 50% chance of returning, even though the surgical margins of both tumors were “clean”. Not great margins however with only 1mm around the small tumor and 3mm around the larger one.
We are now 3 weeks post-operative and he seems to be returning to his old self, as much as a large breed 7 year old dog can after a major surgery.
However 2 days ago we found 4 new small masses on his right side around his neck/shoulder areas, each would be no bigger than a grape and no smaller than a pea.
He shows no signs of being unwell, other than the licking of his right paw early in the morning and late at night.
At this point we will still need to confirm the identity of the new masses but are not very optimistic of the forthcoming results.
Unfortunately further medical intervention is probably not an option as the initial ear surgery and the recent major surgery and complication follow-ups are very nearly reaching a 5 figure monetary total, and we do not have pet insurance of any kind.
As I am writing these sentences I realize that there is not much, if any, useful information for someone going down the same MCT road with their dog.
I will say to ask a lot of questions and do as much research as you are comfortable to do before making any drastic decisions, and know that as mentioned in the above article that this cancer is so very crafty and it makes everything associated with treating it very hard to predict!
Thank You for listening, and prayers to anyone and their beloved companion who are going through this or a similar situation!
Dear Brian,
I am sorry you are facing this difficult situation with your big guy. I appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. Even if your story may not offer specific answers, it is comforting to others to know they are not alone. How are things today? Praying your sweet boy is still finding joy in his days and living a life filled with love. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance. Bless you.
11 year old pit/ lab is having surgery this Wednesday for her MCT. I am praying for low grade so we don’t have to deal with it anymore. If it doesn’t work we are looking at hospice.
Dear Megan,
I am sorry your dog is facing an uncertain future. Was the surgery successful? Hoping all is well and you received good news.
Asking for prayers for my husband and I’d daughter, Bella. She’s a 6 year old french bulldog whose histo came back confirming grade III mct and a 4 month prognosis. No words can express how devastated we are. We would give absolutely anything to save her.
Dear Mina,
My heart goes out to you as you face this difficult situation with Bella. I hope she can maintain a good quality of life for as long as possible. Praying for your strength and comfort. Please give your sweet girl a hug for me. ♥
My thoughts are with you and I hope and pray your beautiful girl Bella is still enjoying life with you. We have found ourselves in the same situation as our 3 year old boxer was diagnosed with High Grade III MCT in November. We are completely devastated as he was given a 4-6 month prognosis. Currently he is doing extremely well with no real signs of decline and only on a daily antihistamine. Thinking of you 🙏
Dear Kylie,
I am praying you can make the most of the time you are gifted with your sweet boy. Wishing you both comfort and peace. ♥
We recently adopted a 3 y.o. Labrador, Dobermann mix (+ 7 other breeds per DNA testing). She had a growth on her chest, near a nipple. When we brought it to the attention of our Vet, they recommended surgery to remove, but they never recommended a needle aspiration biopsy first. The biopsy results surprised the Vet when it came back as Mast cell. The biopsy results did indicate it was fully excised — but with margins around 4-5 mm. She also experienced redness, swelling and itchiness after surgery. Is her prognosis worse as a result of how it was handled? Could the tumor possibly degranulated during this process?
Hi Kim,
I am sorry your pup had to go through surgery but glad it was completely removed. It does sound like the mass degranulated a bit during/after surgery, but this should not change the prognosis or have caused the cancerous cells to spread. As long as the tumor had not spread before surgery then a complete excision should be curative even if a needle aspiration was not performed. Hoping your sweet girl is doing well and she is living her best life. Wishing you both many happy years together!
Our 8 year old Labrador has just been diagnosed with a Mast Cell Tumour on her left hand side behind her fore leg. In fact, the tumour was only the size of a pea and I had ignored it for some time, believing it to be a wart.
She has had surgery now to remove it and is recovering well. We are still waiting for the results of the biopsy. The wait is agonising but at least she is oblivious to the worry and is enjoying being spoiled by all of us. I’m just praying that this MCT is low grade.
What I’d like to say is that these tumours don’t always look suspicious and are known as “the great pretenders”. If there’s any doubt about a new growth on your dog, get it checked by your vet. I only wish I’d acted sooner.
Hi Gail,
Thank you for bringing up this important point! I definitely agree with your advice to have every lump checked as soon as possible. I like the quote “Why wait? Aspirate!”. How is your pup doing today? Hoping the results were favorable and you received good news. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance. Wishing you both the best.
Unless I missed it, I did not see any mention of the important role that lifestyle, diet & nutrition play in cancer prevention and treatment. I highly recommend purchasing & watching The Dog Cancer Series https://www.dogcancerseries.com/ (at least watch their free 16 minute video https://www.dcscommunity.com/) and reviewing the website for The Keto Pet Sanctuary – https://www.ketopetsanctuary.com/. They have done incredible work, and have some free resources. No, I am not affiliated with them, but I came across these resources while dealing with my own dog’s cancer two years ago and found them hugely helpful.
Hi Jean,
You are right that nutrition can play a vital role in health and healing! Thank you for sharing your experience with us!
We have Horace our 5 year old Collie Retriever just get diagnosed this week an MCT on his hind paw. It’s about half the size of an egg and seemingly came out of nowhere. We took him in within 12 hours of noticing it. Unfortunately with the location our options are limited with what we can do. We’ve been told chemo pre surgery has a good chance of shrinking the tumor to give the surgeon enough space to operate with margins. However this would still require a digit or two from his paw being removed. It would also require 3 full weeks of everyday radiation post surgery and.or chemo to eradicate any leftover cells.. This seems like an awful lot for our buddy to go through.. If we don’t go this route, the other option is full leg amputation after we do a full body scan to check for spreading…
We want to give him a long lasting happy quality of life, but we’re stuck with the tough options. Do we move forward with one of these or risk his tumor spreading quickly? Right now they can’t tell us what stage it is, because they need to remove it to do so.. The oncologist let us know it has a 10-30% chance of spreading. But it also has the same percentage chance if we remove it anyways!
We just feel stuck with bad decisions all around.
Dear Ryan,
This is such a hard situation you are facing, and I understand why you are conflicted. I wish I had some great advice or could tell you what was best. I am not sure there is really a right or wrong answer here. How have things been going these last couple of months? Hoping you found the answers and advice you needed to make the best choice for everyone involved. Praying for a positive outcome for Horace. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance.
Thank you for this informative and down to earth article. This is immensely helpful.!!
So glad I found this article. I have a ginger colored pit bull estimated at 10yrs old. He was rescued from an apartment balcony almost 4 yrs ago. The rescue had a veterinarian remove some lumps and bumps and several vascular tumors. The pathology came back as mast cell tumors and I can’t remember what the vascular blood blister looking tumors were called. He was adopted shortly thereafter and had another surgery of tumor removals about a year after the first. Long story short, I have him now with me for good and in February he again had 17 more small mast cell tumors removed! All his tumors are on the skin in all areas of his body and are grade II. Starting with his most recent surgery in February I had been giving him Benadryl twice a day, a circumin phytosome Turmeric supplement and Turkey tail mushroom powder mixed with a little wet food. I did this for 3 months and then stopped. All of a sudden he grew a new tumor near where his scrotum used to be and his vascular tumors on the belly came back with a vengeance. My new veterinarian used the term “mast cell disease,” which I had never heard of before…this is how I found your article. I am resuming all the supplements and benedryl and will see if any more mct grow and how long it takes. Otto is a pit bull breed that looks like he has a lot of English bulldog in him. Hoping for the best, we are in this for the long haul.
Hi April,
Thanks for sharing Otto’s story and for your kind words about the blog. He is a lucky guy to have found someone as wonderful and dedicated as you! I hope that his supplements and medication keep his mast cell tumors under control. Please feel free to keep us updated on how Otto is doing!
My dog has just been diagnosed with mast cell and I was very interested to read about the circumin phytosome Turmeric supplement and Turkey tail mushroom powder. May I please ask what dosage you gave to your dog.
Thank you so much for your response.
Lynn
I want to comment on my dogs health situation after seeing someone mention Turkey tail mushroom powder. My 10 lb. coton de tulear was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma about 2 years ago. Her age is 10 and 1/2 years. She has lived much longer than expected. Only 10% of dogs live one year after this diagnosis. She developed a MCT on the side of her rib cage about a year ago.. It’s probably 3/4 inch in size. Soon after being diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma—2 years ago—I started her on 1/4 tsp of Turkey tail mushroom powder mixed with water and added to 1/4 cup boiled chicken once per day.. Most days she is very energetic and puppy like. Now and then she is very lethargic for a day or two which we were told means her body is processing an internal tumour from the hemangiosarcoma.. I think she has benefited tremendously from Turkey tail mushroom powder, despite the exterior MCT. We are uncertain whether or not to have it removed.
(I watched “Fantastic Fungi” on Netflix and was convinced it was worth taking for both my dog and myself)
Hi Judy,
Thanks so much for sharing your pup’s story! I’m so thankful that she defied the odds and is still feeling great most days! I hope she continues to do well for a long time yet and you get to make many more memories together.
Our 4-year old golden retriever has just been diagnosed with a mast cell tumor on her backside (about the size of a quarter). We are opting for surgery, but the office is so booked and/or short-staffed that the surgery can’t happen until August (about 2 1/2 months from now). Should we search for a different vet?
Hi Linda,
This is such a difficult situation. You are right to be concerned about waiting so long to have the tumor removed, but this may be the only option. I don’t think it would be wrong to call around and see what the availability would be at other clinics. Praying the tumor will stay small and surgery will be curative. Wishing you both the best and feel free to leave an update if you have a chance.
Our sweet boy has been diagnosed with mast cell tumors on his belly, leg and intestines. Unfortunately a removal is not possible. My concern is the tumor on his leg, it’s not covered with hair and sometimes it opens up bleeding and somewhat closes again..our vet dermatologist recommended to apply triamcinolon cream one time per day on the spot. She told us it’s possible with mast cell tumors cause it’s not a normal wound. With a normal wound it delays the wound healing. But with mast cell tumors she says it can help with the local degranalution symptoms. I can’t find other information on this subject via the internet. So I would love to know if you have heard or of this prescription before..? We also give him prednisone orally besides palladia and other medicine. Thank you so much for your point of view, this page has been very helpful, if I’ve made any writing mistakes, it’s because English is not my native language, thank you very much and bless you
Hi Angela,
I am so sorry your boy has received this difficult diagnosis. What the dermatologist said about triamcinolone is true. It is a steroid, and steroids can delay wound healing, but they are also powerful anti-inflammatories and are the treatment of choice for MCTs (much like the prednisone your guy is taking orally). I hope these treatments were able to give him more quality time with you. Wishing you both happiness and joy and try to make the most of the time you are gifted. Bless you and your sweet boy. ♥
Our 2.5 year old french bulldog had a pimple on his chest the size of a small pea. He had it for a period of 6 months and for the longest time we thought it was a pimple and nothing more, yet it would sometimes look bigger and then appear smaller. We took him to the vet for a regular check up and the doctor saw it and immediately wanted to remove it. Strange b/c our vet didn’t even do a fine aspirate needle test. She ended up removing another one which ended up being nothing. However, we went back a separate time a week later and she removed two more other pimples–one did end up being a mast cell so he had two in total (both low grade). Our vet recommended that we remove instead of test with a needle to prevent it from spreading in case it was MCT. Reading these comments, I wonder if that is true or if surgery was an attractive route for them to recommend it so quickly.
Nevertheless, we’re glad we caught it but are now extremely paranoid any time he has any small bump on his body. We will overreact when we feel the slightest irregularity and it’s hard to tell what we should do. We even asked the vet if we should shave him–how else are we supposed to check? Do you have any recommendations or best practices?
We would also appreciate any best in class oncologists that specialize in mast cells located in New York. We were referred to one and we did not have a great experience. Please help, we know we need to monitor him for the rest of his life and just want to make sure we do everything humanly possible.
Hi Lisa,
I am sorry your Frenchie is having issues with mast cell tumors at such a young age. My best advice is to stay vigilant and feel all over his body daily to see if you notice any new growths. This can be his daily “massage” session! Also, you could plan to have more frequent exams at your vet such as every 3 to 6 months instead of yearly. I am not familiar with specific veterinary oncologists in New York but there should be plenty of options for you to find one that seems to be a good fit. I am hopeful you will find the best way to keep your sweet boy happy and healthy for many years to come. Wishing you both the best.
Hello,
My Walker Coonhound, Flash, had a MCT pop up on his back flank around the beginning of March and it was roughly the size of a golf ball. We opted for surgery to have it removed after it was graded a III, the vet was adamant that she got all of the tumor but his stitches and bruising was oh so awful and made me almost regret having the procedure. After 14 days he looked much better and felt much better but it was a rough go with his cone and trying to walk comfortably. Our vet said the signs to look for from here would be regrowth in the same spot, lack of food intake and lethargy. He had been acting fine, his usual self. While getting some daily loving two weeks ago I noticed a new lump on his neck where it meets his shoulder, today it was aspirated and found what appeared to be granulated mast cells and of course removal was recommended. My husband and I are struggling with what to do next. It seems to us that removing the first one didn’t help anything if there’s now a new tumor not even three months later. And as much as I don’t want it to be about money, $800 after just 3 months and potentially could be again recurring is hard to fathom. My pup acts like his normal self so that is also hard…he is more miserable when he is post surgery than when he has a tumor he doesn’t even seem to notice. sigh. I’m at a loss. I wish they could tell us what they would want.
Hi Ashlee,
I am sorry you are in this difficult situation with Flash. I understand why you are conflicted and not sure how to proceed. How are things today? Has the tumor continued to grow quickly? It may be time to schedule a consultation with a specialist to make sure you understand all the options. I pray you can find the answers you need to make the best decision for you and your boy. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance. Wishing you both the best.
I am in the same boat. My dog had five removed in March, one of them was pea sized and we were told it was probably nothing for 5 years!! Then it grew to a golf ball size in 6 months. We found some more small lumps which were all removed at the same time. The dr said the large one was grade 3 and same as you, watch the are for regrowth etc. Yesterday the vet aspirated two new bumps in new areas and guess what, more mast cells, with recommendation for removal. Not sure what to do. Surgery multiple times a year is not fair to her and not reasonable for us but she is otherwise happy and healthy so I am struggling.
Hi LeeAnne,
What a difficult situation. Deciding what to do when several new MCTs pop up is always challenging because as you said, getting them off would be ideal, but it does get to be a lot of surgery (and money) when more and more keep showing up. Perhaps you could schedule a consultation with a veterinary oncologist or your veterinarian to further explore the options and pros and cons of each option? That might be a way to feel more confident in whatever decision you end up making. Thinking of you as you wrestle with how to proceed!
I’m so sorry. We are in the same situation, we had surgery on our dog about a month ago when she first got diagnosed. As of today, it’s grown back almost three times the original size with no sign of slowing down. It’s not feasible to keep doing surgeries, our dog is 10 and this would be her 5th surgery (with recovery seeming to be significantly worse for her each time) and also financially. She acts completely normal, so it’s hard to have any actual understanding of what is the best path forward.
Dear Noel,
My heart goes out to you as you face this uncertain future with your pup. Don’t hesitate to ask your vet the hard questions and they can help you find a way forward. Praying you can find the answers and advice you need to make the best decision for you and your senior girl. ♥
My 14 year old lab Nestle just got diagnosed with a mast cell tumor. One of his rear legs has almost tripled in size in just two weeks. My wife and I are unsure what to do. He still seems happy and is eating and drinking fine. Our vet told us with the location surgery probably isn’t an option. Also he’s over 14 and we don’t want to do any major treatments that would just make him feel sick. Is palliative care really our only option at this point?
Hi Warren,
I am sorry your senior guy is dealing with this fast-growing tumor. Without examining him myself, I am not sure what options are available for his specific situation. Palliative care can be the most loving choice once other treatments are ineffective or too risky. It might be worth discussing Nestle’s case with a veterinary oncologist just to see what they recommend. They may have access to treatments or therapies that are not readily available in general practice. Hoping you can find the answers you need to navigate this tricky path. Bless you and your sweet boy.
Hi Warden,
The exact same thing just happened to our 9 year old black lab. He also seems fine and is still eating but he has developed a slight limp in his back leg. He is not on pain medication yet but we were given Gabapentin at 100mg and 300 mg to manage pain if/when he gets to that stage. We have made the decision not to amputate his back leg and are providing palliative care as there wasn’t any other option due to size and location. I have been reading about a new treatment called Stelfonta which consists of 2 injections to the site. I plan to call the vet tomorrow to find out more about it. All the best as we know how difficult this process is.
Hi Karen,
I am sorry you are in this difficult situation with your Lab. I am glad you are planning to talk to your vet about Stelfonta. There are some restrictions to using this medication and tumors must be under a certain size. Your vet can let you know if your boy is a candidate for this treatment and where it is available in your area. Wishing you the best and praying for a positive outcome. ♥
We adopted Cici, a sweet ShihTzu who came from a background of hoarding and abuse as well as severe head trauma from another dog attacking her. She had seizures also. We had her about a year when she developed a fast growing lump on her back. It was removed and found to be a high grade mct but had clean margins. Surgery went well and although she was leash reactive and afraid of strangers, she was the perfect house pet. The tumor recurred and was removed again with clean margins. A few months later, it was back and was resected with very aggressive surgery. Recovery was rough and she had a lot of pain with this one. Between surgeries, she more or less was ok but slept more and seemed to have less interest in life. Her appetite was picky and she lost a little weight. Three months from last surgery, her belly swelled and her back legs were weak. Took her to vet who discovered wide spread metastasis and euthanasia was recommended. It nearly killed us. One month later we got the chance to adopt another little ShihTzu , Scarlet, about five years old. When we went to see herI never saw anything so pitiful. She was a breed dog from a Kansas puppy mill and was filthy dirty. Her coat was at least eight inches long and her eyes were covered up. Her fur was matted with dried urine and feces and she was crammed in a tiny cage. She was scared to death of everything and everyone. The rescue had her spayed and vaccinated and handed her over. As afraid of me as she was I could tell there was a wonderful little girl in there trying to get out. She was so skinny and starving. She let me cut off the filthy matted fur and give her a good bath. We put her on some good food and fed her three times a day plus vitamins. She is so smart we were able to housetrain her in less than two weeks. You can tell she likes being clean and is beginning to come out of her shell. She has learned her name, to come when called, and to walk on a leash. She will come to me for affection and loves to be praised. She loves our screened patio and fenced yard. She is learning to play with toys. She has a small lump on her back that is in the same place as the mct on Cici and I feel like my heart is in a vise. I will take her to the vet for a needle biopsy right away but I am so scared. Cici’s illness cost over $20,000 and we are retired folks and money is tight. We love little Scarlet already but we are very scared. She has been thru hell backwards, like Cici had and this just seems so unfair.
Dear Carol,
I am so sorry for all the difficulties Cici endured in her final years of life. Thank you for being willing to take in another pitiful pup in desperate need of love and care. I can only imagine how worried you must be but try not to let the “what ifs” weigh you down with grief and anxiety. Have you been able to get the aspirate done? I am very curious to know the results! Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance. Praying all is well and you received good news. Bless you all.
My English Bulldog, Olive will be 11 yrs old this coming November, On March 23, 2023 she had surgery to remove a grade 2 MCT from her side. It was a little smaller than a golf ball. The vet said he got good clean edges on the sides but was concerned about the edges going in deep. To go any deeper he would have had to cut into her abdominal cavity and he was not comfortable doing that. Anyway, she has had a great recovery so far. Her incision healed up nicely. She acts fine other than drinking a lot of water. But she has always done that. Last night she had some loose stools with red blood in the stool. I am curious to know if this is a sign the cancer has already spread? If so, would she be in pain? The vet & I already discussed further treatment for her. Due to her age, I am not going to put her through any further surgery and the vet agreed with that decision.. This past surgery was a big one and being a Bulldog with compromised breathing, and her age, I was worried she might not make it through the surgery. But she did and came through with flying colors. Like I said, I don’t plan to put her through any more surgeries. I don’t want her to suffer. Since Bulldogs are known for being “tough” I just don’t know if she is hurting. She does not pant or act like she is in pain, but honestly I wish I knew how she really feels? Thank you for any insights.
Hi Pat,
I understand your concern with seeing blood in your dog’s feces. While this could be a sign of MCT complications, it is also a symptom of so many other things it would be impossible to make specific conclusions without examining your dog myself. This could be as simple as intestinal parasites. Your best bet is to call your vet and have them evaluate Olive. How are things today? Praying all is well and wishing you both the best.
Our dog just had surgery for a mast cell tumor on her abdomen. We are still waiting for pathology results. We are concerned about what we can do to reduce the possibility of another tumor forming rather than a wait-and-see approach. What do you think about dietary changes? Do you recommend a type of diet or a brand? Also, would you recommend food allergy testing?
Hi Pam,
Unfortunately, there is not much that can be done to prevent future Mast Cell Tumors. There are medications that can help to prevent the tumors from causing nasty side effects, but I am not sure they are great at preventing the tumors themselves. Some say that a long-term regimen of Benadryl or Pepcid helps, but I have not seen this in my own patents. Since MCTs are not caused by food allergies, I wouldn’t think food allergy testing would be helpful unless your pup is also suffering from food allergy symptoms as a separate issue. I am sorry I couldn’t be of more help. Wishing you both the best.
My 6 year old field golden had a pimple like bump for about 3 months that would shrink and come back, I had no idea it was a MCT.
I brought him to the vet, the vet laughed and said it’s an ingrown hair or cyst because it’s so small (0.5 cm) but they could look at it when my pup had a dental done. Day of the dental procedure, another vet looks at it and says oh I’m confident it’s an ingrown hair- I said ok but can they remove it anyway in surgery because it is painful to the touch.
It came back as a grade II MCT with Immunohistochemistry Report/Results;
KIT Pattern: 2 ; Ki67: 33.4 ; AgNORs/cell: 2.10 ; AgNOR x Ki67: 70.14
I am devastated, everything I am reading says my guy has a poor prognosis given the high Ki67 and high AgNOR x Ki67 ratio. I consult with an oncologist tomorrow but I am just hoping it’s not too far gone to treat. I have incredible pet insurance that reimburses 90% of every bill, so I am willing to spend as much as I need to to fight this!
Dear Dana,
I am so sorry your Golden has received such a difficult diagnosis. I am glad the mass was removed and think you have made a good choice to see an oncologist. How did the visit with the specialist turn out? Praying you received some hopeful news and there is a clear path forward with treatment. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance.
Hi Dana,
I would be grateful if you could let me know how your dog got on as I am in the exact same boat but my oncology appointment is not until next week. My boy had a tiny one removed and it came back grade 2 with a higher ki-67 and we’ve been told that suggests it’s likely to act more aggressive so I’m absolutely terrifed.
Is there any information on this dog and his prognosis? It seems to be the only picture I can find that looks similar to our situation, other MCT tumors I see on muzzles are huge and inflamed.
Hi Karly,
Are you referring to the picture of the Boston Terrier? If so, that picture was submitted by another veterinarian and there were no specific case details to accompany it. I am sorry I don’t have more information to share. I hope your pup is doing ok. Praying for a positive outcome.
Our wonderful Staffordshire bull terrier has had multiple surgeries to remove mast cell lumps, taking Prednisone for maintenance, however, lumps are appearing over several areas of her body, a couple appear red, we are agonising how long do we continue to treat with steroids as we just want to do the best for her, and don’t want to be selfish
Hi Jeannette,
I am sorry you are dealing with these recurring Mast Cell Tumors in your sweet girl. Please make sure your vet is aware of your concerns. There may be other medications you could try. Also, it might be a good time to schedule a consultation with a specialist. How are things today? Praying you can find the answers you need to make the best decisions for you and your pup. Bless you both.
My dog had her first MCT 5/22 on her ventral abdomenn. It was removed, grade 2, high. She had an abdominal U.S. which showed a splenic mass, so she had a splenectomy/liver biopsy 7/22 both were benign. She had another MCT on her abdomen which was removed 9/22 grade 3, high. She started chemo (compounded Palladia) 10/22. It shrunk one MCT near her left ear, but then had Palladia failure 2/23. as a new MCT appeared near her left ear again. This was removed 3/23 and came back grade 2, high. She was switched to Imatinib, but failed this drug, She has had another MCT appear on her abdomen, also she has a new MCT on her left jawline, and several small lumps along her spine. She also has a new enlarged lymph node in her capsular lymph. This had a FNA done on this lymph and sent to the lab. I’m awaiting results. She has now been switched back to brand Palladia. I have a worst feeling it is now systemic as her red cells are low on her most recent labs. I’ve down everything I can medically. for her.. I wish the MCT would just go away, this is the worst.
Dear Megan,
My heart aches for you as you face this difficult situation with your girl. She is a lucky dog to have someone like you advocating so strongly for her health and well-being. Hoping the lab results for the lymph node FNA are negative and your pup can keep fighting. How is she feeling today? Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance. Praying for peace and strength.
my Boston terrier has Mass Cell grade 3 tumor removed. halfway in chemo treatment. I am not a vet so don’t take anything I say until you ask a professional. my dog had tumor removed from his chest. there were no margins cleared they only removed it and it came back grade 3. chemo is working so far no cells and cancer never spread beyond his chest area. we are giving benadryl nightly at bedtime 25 mg same dose for adult human. the last thing we do and have is give him more love and affection than many human beings. I swear the chemo benadryl and love killed it. last scan still shows it never spread beyond chest area of tumor site. doctor is amazed can’t believe it. I say the drugs help but I think the love I give is also fighting it. I am not a nut job believing in crazy stuff but the live I think is doing the job mostly. he had the tumor nearly 6 months before it was removed yet cells never moved around. he should have died but didn’t. it was as if no big deal results came back highest grade. so love number one and chemo benadryl. they alternate the chemo drugs with two types.one injectable then tablet. 3 months in and clean 3 months left on treTments
Hi James,
I’m so happy to hear that your Boston is doing so well! Lots of love plus Benadryl and chemo sound like a winning combination to me. I hope he continues to amaze his veterinarians and you have many more love-filled years together!
My dog Shadow is 11-12. He is a border collie lab. And he has an external MCT on his chin or jaw. He has had it for months but in the last 3 months it has gotten huge. Now a bit larger than a golf ball. I lost my job 1/20 just before I had him scheduled for surgery. I did not have the money to pay for surgery so he has had to suffer all this time with it. I also have a severe disability and I am just now getting back to work. I have to wait another 11 days till I have him scheduled to see a doctor. And then get his appointment for the surgery. He seems to have gone downhill. His tumor stinks really bad and I am scared to death because I have no money to get him help for another 11 days. He still goes to potty and has slowed down a little on eating. But I’ve encouraged him to eat. I keep his bed right by my bed. And I watch him day and night. I’m worried about necrosis now. And I don’t know what to do. I’ve reached out to many organizations to seek assistance. We do have one organization that’s will to pay $300. But the surgery is so expensive. I don’t know what do.
Dear Alice,
My heart aches for you and this difficult situation you are facing with Shadow. I wish I had some great advice or knew of another organization that could help. How was the recheck appointment? I am praying you will find the resources you need to do what is best for your sweet boy. He is very lucky to have you by his side and loving him so fiercely through these trials. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance.
My 7 year old pitbull mix Clydesdale (Clyde for short) was diagnosed with a MCT at the beginning of March. We noticed a small wound/bump on his side in January, we thought he got bit by something or the cat got him when they were playing. It started to get better and scab up, then ooze again, then get better again, and back and forth for a while. It started to get bigger and bigger and we finally decided it was time to take him to the vet. We had to wait 2 weeks to bee seen. By then he was getting snappy with the Vets assistants and they wouldn’t see him and rescheduled us for another week out. We were told that we should have been given sedatives to give him at the previous appt. and they rescheduled us AGAIN. By then it had grown to the size of a softball so we took him to an emergency clinic. They told us he would need surgery to remove it, they scheduled us with their regular clinic a few days later and then he had surgery shortly after that. They were able to remove the entire tumor and it was graded at a 4. His x-rays didn’t show any tumors anywhere else. His lungs were clear, etc. It’s been a month since his surgery and he has a very swollen lymph node, has some moments of rapid breathing, is lethargic, has some diarrhea and a tiny bit of vomiting but still eats, drinks and does everything else normally. We are now at the point of trying to decide if it’s time to euthanize or not. I just don’t want to cut his life shorter than we have to.
Dear Lynn,
I am so sorry you are facing this difficult decision for Clyde. Sometimes it is very hard to determine the quality of life for a beloved pup. I do think it is better to say goodbye one day too early rather than one day too late and allow unnecessary suffering. It is a blessing and a curse to be able to allow our own hearts to break so they can be free from their struggles and pain. I will attach links to other articles with more information on end-of-life choices. I hope you can find the advice you need to make the best decision for everyone involved. Praying for clarity and strength to face this unknown path. Bless you both.
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
3. Dog Euthanasia: Knowing When to Say Goodbye
Hi, our 1 year old Labrador had a mast cell tumor removed on her tail last month and got clean margins. And the tumor was diagnosed as low grade, Two weeks later a spot popped up on her hip and another spot on the back of the head. The Dr. aspirated and both areas have mast cells. We’ve been referred to a vet oncologist. My question is “Because of the vast location differences, does that indicate her mast cell cancer is much more pervasive than we thought? “
Hi Cathy,
I am so sorry your young dog is having issues with multiple MCTs. I am glad you are pursuing referral to an oncologist, and I am certain you will get the answers to all of your lingering questions. There is a chance the tumors could be related to each other but not necessarily. It is more likely that your pup is genetically prone to these types of tumors, and they are just forming around the same time. I am praying these new tumors can be easily treated. Wishing you both the best for a positive outcome.
Our lab developed a MCT around her inguinal area when she was 8. Before we noticed the tumor, her entire head would swell. We didn’t know it was anaphylaxis at the time. The tumor was surgically removed and was characterized as low grade. Then another appeared on her right hock. It was surgically removed. Then 2 more., both removed. The oncologist then prescribed Palladia, but she didn’t tolerate it well, so we discontinued it. At this point they just prescribed low dose prednisone to manage her symptoms with liver panels every 6 months. She had several more MCTs develop and sometimes the vet would increase the dosage temporarily, the tumors would shrink, and then we’d return to the low dose protocol. The only apparent side effects from the prednisone were increased thirst, hunger, and urination. We also didn’t expect her to be o. It for so long because of the potential for long term harm. She passed away in her sleep last Christmas at the age of 16. I realize that each case is different, but when Jersey was first diagnosed, it felt like she was given a death sentence. Unfortunately, we had to go through many different protocols before we got to the point of “managing” her condition. I hope your pup is able to live a long and healthy life. Good Luck.
Dear Mark,
Thank you for sharing your story with us. I am glad you were able to find a way to give Jersey some relief during her last months of life. It sounds like she was well loved and what a blessing her passing was peaceful. May her memory live on and be a source of joy in your life. Bless you.
Hi Mark, did your dog happen to have grade III tumors. My goldendoodle has had a few surgeries and last one stated it was a grade III, and a cluster of masses grew back. Right now we’ve decided to just have her on prednisone, she’s doing quite well so far.
Thanks
Suzan
Hello, thanks to everyone who has offered stories. My daughters dog is new to this issue. He’s 12 years old, social
Butterfly pittie, sheltie mix. It seems like overnight a lump the size of your palm popped up on his neck area. We made appointment with oncologist and by the time of appointment, the mast had decreased in size. They did FNA and determined it was grade low mast. Next we had X-ray of heart, chest and showed no signs of spread. Between the two of us, the cost of these test are an issue. We thought we do one test and if it was bad, we weren’t going to have it removed. Now that the first test came back good we still need to some more, probably another $4000 for test and removal surgery. My daughter looks at her dog, Reese, and sees a happy, ball chasing, eating well dog and reluctant to do anymore test or surgery. I understand that, but don’t know if that’s the best course. It’s her decision but still I try to help out. Thank you.
Hi Janet,
I understand your concern for Reese and think it is wonderful you are reaching out on your daughter’s behalf. They are lucky to have you supporting them and playing such an active role in their lives. I know how difficult it can be when you want to do what is best for your pup but are limited by financial constraints. I recommend you discuss this with your vet/oncologist. Just because your vet recommends plan A doesn’t mean there isn’t a plan B or Plan C option. You could probably forgo some of the other testing they would like to preform and just focus on surgery should that be something you are interested in. I know your daughter sees a “healthy” dog and doesn’t want to put Reese through a lot of stress, but the goal is to keep Reese a healthy dog for as long as possible. I hope you can find the answers you need to help guide your daughter through this difficult process. Wishing you all the best. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance.
My beautiful 5 year old dog had surgery to remove insulinoma tumor from the pancreas. They were not able to get it all and I struggle every moment to stay calm in front of her
The oncologist gave the option of Palladia. I haven’t started yet. My Zoe is a HUGE kisser. Nothing brings more joy than giving kisses. If she is on the medication for the rest of her days do I have to stop her from coming in contact with anyone and everyone she likes to kiss hello? If so, I am not sure I can give her the medication. It will be cruel to not let her get the endorphins and joy of kisses.
Hi Scott,
I am sorry Zoe has received such a difficult diagnosis. I understand your concern with the Palladia. Honestly, I am not sure if there are risks with contact to saliva alone. I did not see that mentioned in any of the information I read while researching. This would be a great question for your vet, or the oncologist Zoe is currently seeing. I hope you can find the answers you need to make the best decision for you and your sweet girl. Praying for a positive outcome and many happy years ahead for you both.
My lab/dobi was diagnosed with grade 2 mast cell in May 2017. My vet said he’d have a good 2-3 years after diagnosis. We’re almost at 7 years since diagnosis. Since then I’ve done 2 tumor removal surgeries, but the 2nd one was really hard on him and he has some fear aggression issues so he requires really heavy sedation for vet appointments. So, after surgery #2 I decided there would be no more.
While he’s been mostly thriving with otc medication and sensitive stomach friendly food I knew his days were going to be limited. In early February one of his tumors ruptured. I was able to get it to stop and heal up, but he won’t leave it alone. (Licking) Knowing that constant licking is a sign of pain I made the decision today to schedule his appointment with vet to put him down.
We are going to enjoy the next 4 weeks with him. He’s approximately 12 years old.
Dear Melissa,
I am so sorry your sweet boy is nearing the end of his days. What a blessing you gained 7 extra years to love on him and make memories. I hope these last weeks will be joyful and you can spoil him daily. Praying his passing will be smooth. Best wishes to you and your beloved senior pup.
My mixed-breed dog Jack (14) had a mast cell tumour excised on 17 November. He came through surgery well, and the pathology report was encouraging: clean margins and low grade. He developed a small lump on the incision site just five weeks later. I had the lump examined and aspirated. I was told it was a seroma. We did another aspirate a week later in early January, and this time the aspirate showed that it was another MCT.
We have tried prednisone, Vinblastine, Lomustine — to no avail. This mass seems hellbent on destruction. It is about 15 cm long, ulcerated and impossible to remove. He is now on Palladia, and a host of other medications. He can barely walk anymore, and my heart is aching. I had a complete breakdown at the oncologist’s surgery last Thursday, and ended up in a crumpled heap on the floor in the waiting room. Jack is on strong pain medication, but is restless at night. I have not slept through a night in seven weeks. I am not ready to say goodbye, but worry about being selfish. I am not looking for answers or sympathy, although a miracle would be nice, but simply sharing my story.
Dear K.,
I am sorry you are in such difficult situation with your senior pup. I appreciate you being willing to share your experience with us as it helps others to know they are not alone. Praying for your strength and comfort. Bless you and your sweet boy, Jack.
I have a 14 and a half year old jack russel who’s tumour has ulcerated 2 weeks antibiotics and no improvement in herself she is fine still eating drinking etc she also has chronic bronchitis which she has had for about 18 months surgery is not an option and so yet again she is pallative (I was told 13 months ago she was pallative) I am just going to enjoy her for whatever time remains I feel for you I really do.
Dear Tracey,
I am sorry your senior girl’s health is declining and she is nearing the end of her days. I am glad you are able to provide palliative care to keep her feeling her best for the time she has left. Make the most of each day you are gifted. Give your sweet girl a hug for me. ♥
I found a small lump – about the size of half a pea – on my 15-month-old golden retriever when checking him for grass seeds. The following morning, it was smaller than a grain of rice. I thought he must have been bitten by an ant. A couple of days later, though, it was larger again. Our vet is very thorough and decided to check it since it was so rapidly changeable, despite Pilgrim not fitting the usual older dog profile. It was a mast cell tumour and the vet removed it the following day.
The biopsy found it was an upper-end stage II, but had clear margins. It required no further treatment and never returned. My dog lived for another 11 years.
PS. This was 20 years ago now when chemo was not so available. Perhaps it would have been offered nowadays.
Hi Margaret,
I am so glad your Golden had a positive outcome! This is exactly why I feel it is so important for owners to check their dogs regularly and thoroughly. Early detection is key in achieving a favorable prognosis. Thank you for sharing your experience with our readers. Best wishes!
thank you for sharing. i am struggling with deciding if surgery is my best option. my dog’s is the size of a pea. i lost a dog due to anesthetic and am petrified to risk my dog for something so small.
Hi Tracy,
I understand why you would be worried about choosing anesthesia for your pup. I know there is no way to know the outcome, but I also don’t want your options to be limited or you to feel trapped due to fear. I think it would be a good idea to discuss your concerns with your vet and let them know how you feel. They can check some lab work and any other necessary tests to determine if your dog has risk factors for anesthesia. I am certain your vet will give their honest opinion. Hoping you can find the best way forward. Wishing you both the best.
Out 12 yr old Pittie unfortunately got diagnosed with stage III MCT. The surgery went well with clear margins , ultrasound looks good , spleen is normal size with slightly enlarged glance .
Next step is oncologist consult .
Would carb free , home cooked diet help ? What about turkey tail , CoQ10, turmeric , coconut oil , fish oil , and other Chinese holistic medicine ? Or does it help only for hemangio sarcoma type of cancer ?
Is really the life expectancy less then 4 month with clean margins with stage III ?
Thank you so much for your time in advance
Hi Viktoriya,
I am so sorry your senior dog has received this difficult diagnosis. I am glad you have an appointment scheduled with an oncologist. I am not sure that any of the supplements you mentioned will help with this particular type of cancer, but I am always a fan of fish oil and other anti-inflammatory products. As far as the prognosis with stage III MCT, I would wait to see what the oncologist has to say. It is likely they will have some recommendations on treatments or therapies that offer an increased survival time. Your sweet pup is lucky to have you advocating for their health and well-being. Keep up the good work!
In late November 2022, I saw a sub cut lump on rear of front left leg of my 3 year old female French Bulldog.. Lump was a little larger than a walnut. It seems like the lump appeared over night because I grinded her nails while I was off for the Thanksgiving holiday, and I did not notice the lump. I feel certain I would’ve noticed the lump b/c of its size and she didn’t like the grinding and had to be juggled frequently to complete nail trims.
The local vet did a needle aspirate and said it showed mast cells and prescribed an antibiotic and Benadryl for a week and an appointment to return in a week. The local vet ruled out Stelfonta b/c of tumor size. The local vet did another needle aspirate after a week. Again, it showed mast cells and the vet referred me to a larger clinic in a larger city.
In December 2022, the vet at the larger clinic did a biopsy and, after a week, recommended surgery. All I remember him saying about the grade of the tumor was that it was not high grade. The tumor had gotten a tad bigger at this point. We did surgery. Because I work a lot and have another dog, the vet wanted to keep the dog overnight for at least two weeks to clean the wound each day. So after 16 nights at the vet since the surgery, the vet said the wound had not healed like it should and that he didn’t think he got all the cancer. Basically, we could do additional surgery or amputate. I chose to amputate because she was a young dog, and it was starting to get very expensive, and amputation was, I thought, a way to completely get rid of MCT, By the end of December, I brought her home
In January 2023, after recovering for a week from the leg amputation, she did great and was really starting to build up some speed and stamina as a tripod.
After the first week in February 2023 and over the course of 10 days, I noticed that her energy started to gradually disappear, along with her appetite, to the point to where she wouldn’t eat at all. She passed away last week, Feb. 17th.
I have no regrets or complaints. I am just sharing my story.
Dear Blake,
My heart aches for you with the loss of your sweet girl. It sounds like you went above and beyond to try and restore her quality of life. Even though she only lived a few short years, I am certain her life with you was happy and full of love. I appreciate you taking the time to share your story. It will be comforting to others to know they are not alone when facing these difficult situations. I hope the memories of the good times you shared with your pup will be a blessing in your life. Wishing you the best for brighter days ahead.
My miniature schnauzer, Remi, had a MCT show up seemingly overnight on Christmas Eve. Since it was the holidays and we were visiting family far away, it was difficult to get answers quickly. We saw my parents’ vet and they removed the tumor 10 days after I first saw it. They weren’t able to get good margins and pathology showed all the risk factors for it coming back sooner rather than later. They never said grade 3, but the literature included in the report cited an average 60 days for the type of tumor she had to return. Well, it was less than 2 weeks. It’s not quite 5 weeks since surgery and the new tumor has grown bigger than the last (now larger than ping pong ball), there’s several smaller tumors above and below the new one possibly including her abdomen, and imaging this week showed lesions in her liver and spleen but we don’t know if they’re metz or something benign and age related. Veterinary care is understaffed in my region and many of those who remain lack empathy or sense of urgency. The earliest an oncologist can see her to even test if the internal lesions are cancerous is in 3 weeks. I’ve never seen anything this aggressive. She went from a perfectly healthy and happy 10 year old who had all of the fight in her to live another 4 years. I don’t know how to make her more comfortable beyond what I am already down mm
Hi Michaella,
My heart goes out to you with this difficult situation with Remi. I am sorry this cancer seems to be spreading and is progressing so rapidly. Were you able to see the oncologist? What did you find out? If there are no good treatments options, you may want to consider palliative care or reach out to a hospice vet. Praying Remi is comfortable, and you have the answers you need to make these hard choices. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance.
Our 4 year old greyhound developed a subcutaneous lump low in her neck. CT scan showed what they thought to be a vascular type benign tumour. However, a lymph nodes sampled at the time showed metastatic mast cell tumour. Her liver and spleen looked normal on ultrasound and aspirates taken were clear. The vet has recommended surgery but because of the vascular nature and position of the tumour it is unlikely they will be able to take the usually required margins of normal tissue and have said that she will likely need radiotherapy because of this. At the moment there is no grading on the tumour itself as they were unable to biopsy it. Indeed, although it is likely this is the primary tumour, there is also a possibility that this is a completely separate tumour and the primary lies elsewhere. I assume because there is a metastatic lymph node that the tumour is not low grade. I am extremely reluctant for her to undergo any chemo or radiotherapy and would rather just try to keep her comfortable and happy for as long as possible. If the tumour continues to grow it will probably affect her breathing/swallowing but I’m reluctant to but her through a fairly tricky surgery if she’s going to die within a few months. Has anyone else been in a similar position, any thoughts, advice?
Dear Sally,
My heart goes out to you with this difficult situation you are facing. I am sorry your young dog has received this diagnosis. It sounds like you have a great veterinary team working hard to give your sweet girl the best chance at life. I wish I had more specific advice or could tell you how to proceed. If you know you don’t want to pursue radiation after surgery, then it might be best to forgo surgery and focus on palliative care. I truly don’t think there is a right or wrong choice in this instance. Go with your gut and do what will bring you peace of mind. Wishing you the best and give your girl a hug for me.
Hi Sally. 🙁 I have a four year old Italian greyhound that was just diagnosed with a very small mast cell tumor today. Not sure what is going to happen. He has underlying autoimmune vasculitis. What ended up happening with your greyhound? 🙁
I wanted to share this wonderful news!
Our Golden Retriever Bodie was diagnosed with nasal (inside his nose) mast cell cancer two years ago, with spread to one lymph node (he was four). Without treatment they gave us 3-4 months.
We chose not to do surgery because of location. We did one SRT radiation treatment to nasal tumor and lymph node, followed by a year of chemo – both Vinblastin and Palladia. We did Benadryl/Pepcid throughout. Chemo did not ever make him sick, and he was happy the entire year of treatment.
We finished chemo last June and have continued the Benadryl/Tagamet protocol for the last year (and will continue for his lifetime).
Yesterday we went in for his regular check-up and scans, and his oncologist pronounced him CURED of mast cell cancer.
We know that Bodie’s chances of having cancer later in his life are good because 1) he’s had it once already and 2) he’s a Golden. But for now we are celebrating and giving thanks for early detection, excellent vets and oncologists, and state of the art treatment made possible by Trupanion pet insurance.
We also give thanks for everyone who lifted prayers during these two years for our sweet boy, and we will continue to pray for everyone battling this cancer with their fur babies.
We just wanted to share that there ARE good outcomes!!
Hi Brenda,
YAY!!! This is the best news!!! I am so excited for you that your sweet boy has been able to win his battle with cancer. What a blessing to have him healthy and thriving again. Thank you for sharing this update with our readers. This is the exact thing that may offer hope to someone else in a similar situation. We will all go through tough times and difficult seasons in life, but there is always hope. ♥ Bless you and sweet Bodie!
Thank you for the encouragement. Are boy GUS has a Tumor on his left under paw. It shows its cancer. We feel it was caught early enough and are taking him for surgery soon. We are hoping it is stage 1 low grade and his chance are good. He is only five years old and we hope with prayers that he has more life ahead of him.
Dear John,
I understand your concern for Gus and this tumor on his paw. Was the surgery successful? How is Gus today? Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance. Praying for good news from the pathology report. Wishing your sweet boy a happy future.
He was checked on the 8th of March. Pre surgery blood work show nothing and X-Rays nothing. It seem to be just local in the skin tissue with no metastasis. That seems like good news. He is having surgery on the 20th of March. Thank you for reaching out. Pray it is removed with surgery and is a one and done deal. I am going to retire and would like for him to be my buddy during the day. He is MY PAL. I will let you know the outcome. Thanks Again
Hi John,
Praying for your boy today!!! Hoping the surgery goes smoothly and all of the mass can be removed. Keeping you both in my thoughts and looking forward to your next update.
What was the cost for everything?
My 3 year old Shih-Poo Milo was diagnosed with a mast cell tumor on his belly which was removed. The Vet suggested Torigen and as soon as we learned that it was a MCT ge advised we give Milo Benadryl and Pepcid. Our frustration right now is that we were not given the grade of the tumor. Apparently, it was not examined for grading. Is this normal? Milo is doing great so far and nothing has changed in his behavior. He’s had two of the three shots of Torigen. Should we pursue in order to get the grading or just let it go? Thank you!
Hi Sandra,
I understand your concern with the lack of information from the pathology report. I will admit, I was not familiar with Torigen’s treatment options prior to reading your comment. I did some research and have a better understanding of the concept. Since I have not been personally involved with your dog’s medical care, I can’t make specific conclusions. After reading about how the Torigen immunotherapy injections are made, I think the mass that was removed from your dog was sent to them instead of a traditional pathology lab. Torigen has to have the original mass to incorporate it into the injections. This way the body’s immune system can be triggered to fight the specific type of cancer your dog has. The Torigen lab probably identified the type of mass and used what they needed to formulate your dog’s specific treatment protocol. I feel like this may be why staging was not done but cannot say for sure. I hope Milo is still feeling good and is living his best life. How are things today?
We are a year out from diagnosis of a very aggressive grade III MCT on our golden retriever after we found what appeared to be a scab on her teat. There have been plenty of ups and downs, but ultimately, with such an aggressive form of cancer we feel fortunate to have gotten one more year with her.
We started with removal of the small lump/scab, not knowing exactly what it was, but I think our vet had a good idea what to expect before the pathology report even came back. It took about 3 months for the lump to reappear, quickly spreading into 3 lumps growing very rapidly. We decided to undergo another surgery after a few months, once the lumps were huge and the smell became unbearable. She came through surgery well, but the lumps started reappearing 2-3 weeks post surgery. We then decided to try Palladia. The lumps reacted immediately to the medication, shrinking and even a couple disappearing within 4-5 doses. However, after 2 weeks it was apparent that the medication was not working as the tumors suddenly started growing rapidly again, and spreading throughout her body. Now we are, 3-4 months post-surgery and have kept our golden on Palladia to hopefully at least slow the spread of the tumors. We are giving her a maximum dose of benedryl to help with the itching, however, she has multiple open tumor sores on her body from scratching and occasional degranulation where she is obviously very uncomfortable. It is difficult to know when euthanize as she is a golden retriever so generally a very cheerful dog and still perks up happily when she hears the words “treat” and “walksies,” or if there is any mention or sight of a tennis ball. But she is not herself so we know the end will be soon.
3 weeks ago we celebrated her 10th birthday with all the family at home. When it is soon time to say goodbye, we will have so many fond memories, and I’m working on a picture book for each of my children to remember out 10 happy years with our sweet golden.
Dear Lisa,
I am sorry your Golden girl has struggled so much with this terrible cancer. It sounds like you have a great veterinary team on your side working hard to give her the best quality of life possible. What a blessing to have gained an extra year with her! My heart goes out to you as you face some difficult choices in the near future. I think the picture books are a wonderful idea. Here is a link to more memorial ideas you may want to think about: Dog Memorial Ideas: 10 Ways to Honor Your Dog’s Legacy
My thoughts are with you and your family as you face this uncertain future together. Blessings to you all and give your sweet girl a hug for me. ♥
I have a soon to be seven year old French Bulldog. He had a growth the end of October. He went to the vet a week later in November, and she found another lump a couple inches away. The needle biopsy results came back as one mct and one inconclusive. Vets are busy here, and I made an appt in Dec for him to see a vet who operates. She looked at him and found a third lump on another part of the leg. He just had all three masses removed and I’m waiting for the grading. She believes the third one is also a mct from what she saw. I’m hoping they are grade 1 and done. I was online seeing what I could find on the topic. It sounds like if all three are low grade, surgery may have solved the issue. It’s just seems odd they popped up so fast and on the same leg. .
Hi Jennifer,
I am sorry your pup has had so many issues with MCTs. I am glad you were able to have them all removed at the same time and the surgery went well. It seems as though your dog may have a genetic predisposition to these tumors. If that is in fact the case, it is likely you could see more pop up later in life. Stay vigilant about checking him for lumps and get them evaluated by your vet as quickly as possible. You are doing a great job with your sweet boy. He is lucky to have someone like you advocating for his health and wellbeing. Have you received the pathology report yet? Praying for good news!
Hi There,
Rupert is in the clear! The tumour was cancerous, but low grade & did not spread at all. So blessed to have caught it in time!! His cone is off and he is 100% back to himself <3
Hi Eadie,
This makes me so happy! Thank you for the update! I will continue to keep you and Rupert in my thoughts. Best wishes to you both!
Hello,
My dog Coconut has had 3 mast cells in the last 12 month. The first one was on her tail, the 2nd on her booty by the rectum and the most recent on her thigh/knee area. The first 2 we had surgically removed. She was on antihistamines and prednisone and the 2nd still popped up.. The oncologist started her on chemotherapy (chlorambucil 4mg) 5 days a week then reduced to 3mg 3 times a week along with the antihistamines. Despite this she got a new lump, the 3rd one on her knee/thigh area. We had cryo treatment done on it yesterday.
I just wonder how long will we be fighting this? Is it traveling, because it seems to be traveling up her body each time.? Why are they still popping up?
If we stop the chemo and other meds is she likely to die, and what will her life prior to her death be and look like?
She is a healthy beautiful German Shepard mix, but I don’t think it’s fair to her to keep popping pills and aspirating every bump that pops up. I need someone just to be real and tell be the truth no matter how ugly it is. Her oncologist is great but I need someone to be frank no matter how bad it may be.
Hi,
I understand your concern for Coconut and her quality of life. Since she has had so many MCTs, it seems likely that this could be a genetic issue. With that being said, there is no way to know for sure what the future will hold for Coconut. She may continue to get these tumors, or this could be the last one. Cancer like this just cannot be adequately predicted. Your oncologist will be the best source of information for what to expect if you decide to discontinue treatment. I wish I could offer more advice or help you with this difficult decision you are facing. Praying for your beautiful girl and hoping she has many happy years ahead.
My 6 year old boxer mix was just treated for his 3rd MCT (6th tumor overall; the others were histiocytoma and a fibrous epulis). All of his MCTs have been on his ears and low grade, but never in the same location. This most recent one was particularly tricky to surgically excise. He had a punch biopsy, so now it looks like his right ear is pierced (final path still pending). I keep getting told that if I allow him to have his pinnae resected, that may prevent further MCTs. But I don’t want to crop his ears unnecessarily and it feels like at this point he is bound to get more. Genetics are not in his side.
I don’t know what else I should be doing for him, since I check him near daily for any new skins changes and am super diligent about getting him seen immediately. Is there anything else that might help to prevent this from continuing to occur? Daily Benadryl?.
Thank you for your article!
Hi Jasmine,
I am sorry you are dealing with recurring MCTs on your dog. I understand your hesitation to have his ears cropped, but if this is the site where the tumors keep occurring, removing the pinnae could be the best way to prevent them in the future. Benadryl is used to help prevent the tumors from degranulating, but it does not prevent them from forming in the first place. I hope you can find the advice you need to make the best choice for you and your sweet boy. Best wishes to you both and hoping the pathology results were favorable!
My 12 year old Husky/Shepard mix was diagnosed with a MCT back in August 2022. it started as a small lump but then quickly grew larger. It was on her side so we went ahead with the surgery to remove it. The surgeon said they got clean margins and the tumor came back as “low-grade”. However, in October 2022 (just 2 months later) I noticed a lump growing at the incision site and it turns out the MCT had recurred in the same spot. We did an ultrasound and found that it had spread to a lymph node in her armpit. We are absolutely devastated and are currently working with her vet to keep her comfortable. Because of her age I’m very hesitant to put her through another surgery. The oncologist also said that because of the size of the tumor, chemotherapy won’t completely shrink it and in 3 months it will most likely start growing again. I’m so grateful that the article addresses when to stop fighting MCTs. It was really hard for us to decide not to do the surgery and chemo but at her age we don’t think another surgery is a good option. I just wish I had brought her to the vet earlier when I first noticed the tumor and it was still small.
Dear Kat,
My heart goes out to you as you face these last days with your senior girl. I am glad your vet is working with you to keep her comfortable and give her the best quality of life possible. Please don’t beat yourself up over the “what ifs”. It is clear you have taken good care of your pup and she is well loved. I hope you can make the most of the time you are gifted, and your sweet girl can be peaceful and happy. Bless you.
Hi, thanks for lots of helpful real life examples of dealing with MCT. My beautiful boy Charlie, 11.5 years old labradoodle has just had a biopsy done, after noticing a growth which popped up over-night, and I’m waiting for the results, but feel pretty sure we will be dealing with a tumour, its more a formality. Obviously I’m feeling pretty devastated, he means the world to me, but before we embark on the various options available I wanted to find ask some advice on a few things. Firstly, is the trauma of having the tumour removed going to cause Charlie a lot of pain? The tumour is on his tummy, so easy to remove locationally, but I understand there’s a sizeable chunk that will be taken? Do you recommend a diet which can support him through this process? He currently has dry dog food with glucosamine, as he’s a big boy and his joints are stiffening up with age. Clearly I want him to live forever, but also want his senior years to be filled with happiness and comfort, and don’t want to put him through more than is fair on him. I’m aware its a decision I need to make on how best to deal with this, but just trying to understand the impact of an operation, recovery time and how best to support his immune system.
Hi Penny,
I understand your concern with this possible upcoming mass removal for Charlie. You are correct that the surgeon will probably take wide margins when removing the mass, but the recovery process should be smooth and quick as long as the mass is small. Of course, there is always a possibility for unwanted complications, but in most cases, this type of surgery is fairly routine. Your dog’s current diet is probably just fine, but without examining him myself, I can’t make specific recommendations. You can always talk to your vet about a probiotic or other supplements that help reduce inflammation. I feel like moving forward with this surgery is your best option to give Charlie a good quality of life and a happy future. Praying for a positive outcome!
My dog is a 7 year old rescue. I was working at a vet hospital when she was brought in by the Humane Society. She was found on the side of the road in winter. She was snuggled into her mom and sibling to try to stay warm, they were not alive. I took her home that day she came, she needed to be care for overnight. She has been with us since. She was only 2 weeks old. I noticed a few months ago that she had a lump that would come and go, which made me think it was a bug bite. But then just within a few weeks she developed another which grew fairly quickly and got bloody overnight. I took her to the vet immediately last week. Both are MCT. One is quite small the other about the sized of a quarter. She has her surgery this Wednesday. I’m praying they will get clean margins and it won’t be a grade 3. I can’t bare the thought of losing her. Our bond is like no other.
Dear Mary,
I understand your concern with these MCTs and the worry that comes with waiting for pathology results. How did the surgery go? Is your girl recovering smoothly? I am hoping you receive good news, and your pup will have many happy years ahead. What a blessing it was for you to find each other after such a rough beginning for your sweet girl. ♥ Thank you for sharing your story with us and please keep us updated!
Im praying for you Mary and i am praying for your pup. I have a 9 year old lab boxer mix; Sadie. She is the love of my life as far as a dog is concerned. We battled a MCT last November. December she was in surgery. March finished chemotherapy…I literally just looked today at her arm pit area and noticed a ball. Tomorrow I make that dreaded call again to take her in and test to see if it is indeed another MCT. So I know your pain and the dread of losing an innocent life.
Dear Heavenly Father
Please watch over our dogs in this trying time. Please guide us and enable us to endure whatever comes our way. Please keep a watchful eye over us and protect our dogs from this insidious disease. In your name. Amen.
Hi Anthony,
Thank you for this encouraging comment and prayer. ♥ I am sorry you are facing this uncertain future with Sadie. Praying you receive good news, and all is well. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance.
amen!!
Hello,
My 9 year old yellow lab was diagnosed with mast cell cancer December 2021. The spot was large and in a place that he could do so we had it removed. They said it was advanced and gave us a 2-4 month prognosis. If it weren’t for that spot you wouldn’t know he’s sick. He plays like a pup, eats, drinks and has tons of energy. Il this month he has developed about 10 additional quarter sized spots. We are starting a dose of prednisone and then plan to taper to a maintenance dose. My question is what does the end usually look like? I’m trying to mentally prepare. Is it a slow ‘decreased eating, lethargy, weak’ process or is he going to pass away suddenly? I know there might not be an absolute answer. I am just desperate to give them the best end of life that I can and I feel that being prepared will help me do that.
Thank you
Hi Katie,
I am sorry your senior guy is living with cancer but glad you have been blessed with so much extra time with him since the diagnosis. I think it is great you are looking for information to help prepare you for what lies ahead. The more choices you can make in advance the easier it will be when things get difficult and emotional. With this type of cancer, there is usually a gradual decline. But like you mentioned, there is no way to know for sure and each dog is different. I will attach some links to other articles that may offer guidance when dealing with end-of-life care and preparations. There are also great comments from other readers at the bottom of the articles. My heart goes out to you as you navigate this tough road. Enjoy every moment and give your sweet boy a hug for me.
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
3. Dog Hospice Care Can Bring Peace and Dignity to Your Dog’s Final Days
My 6 year old Labradoodle has been diagnosed with a MCT on his upper right lip. I caught this two weeks ago and immediately go into our Vet. We recommended to the University of Illinois Veterinarian school to meet with Oncologist. Tumor on his lip will be removed and his right lymph node under his neck will be removed Spleen came back clean. Surgery is in the morning so please pray for us and the surgical team. I am a disable Veteran and he is my service dog. We have been a team now for 6 years. will let you all know more tomorrow after surgery
Hi Michael,
I can only imagine how worried you must have been for your sweet boy. How did the surgery go? Have you received the pathology report? Hoping all is well and the surgery was successful. Praying for a complete recovery and a long life ahead for your pup. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance.
Praying for you as well in this trying time.
Thank you so much for such an informative article. My 5yr old lab pointer was recently diagnosed with a low grade sub-cutaneous MCT. My vet advised that sub-cut was at the lower end of low grade which I’m thankful for but the location is too tricky surgically on upper front limb. I’ve been advised to have a watch and wait policy but I’m worried since it’s sub-cut that I may not spot spreading/growth as easily. While I’ve been advised that chemo may be an option later, told it would be too much just now. I’m feeling a bit helpless to be honest. Is it possible or would you suggest chemo or radio therapy to get rid of it and , in your experience, can you have a (currently) non spreading low grade MCT and have a dog still lead a long life? Thank you.
Hi Tash,
These are all great questions, and I am glad you are taking such an active role in advocating for your dog’s health. Unfortunately, since I haven’t examined your dog myself, I can’t make specific recommendations about how to proceed with treatment. This might be the time to schedule a consult with an oncologist. They can let you know if surgery is the best option or if other treatments should be explored. I like to get advice from specialists since they have so much experience with cases like this. Make sure your vet is aware of your concerns and be honest with your wishes and goals for your dog. I am hopeful your pup will have many happy years ahead. Wishing you both the best of luck.
My 11 year old Siberian Husky was diagnosed with a mast cell tumor back in June. Toward the end of the month she had surgery to remove it. The vet got good margins but her tumor was a grade 3. We followed up surgery with chemo. We thought the Palladia was working but she developed more tumors. We then tried a different oral medication and it didn’t work either. Chemo took a toll on my girl so we decided to focus on her quality of life. Some of the tumors she has have ulcerated. I flush them daily with saline solution and apply neosporin. She just went to the vet yesterday and aside from the tumors, she’s doing ok. Then this morning she had a lot of blood in her stool which I’m guessing is from tumor-related ulcers. I’m waiting to hear back from our vet if this is a “normal” progression of the disease or if it could be something more. I’m terrified that we are going to lose her sooner than we thought. As a fellow dog lover, my heart goes out to everyone on here and their dogs who have had to go through this.
Dear Caroline,
I am so sorry you are dealing with such a difficult diagnosis in your senior girl. How are things today? I hope your pup can continue to find joy in her days and retain a good quality of life. Praying you can make the most of the time you have together. Bless you both.
Hi There,
Thank you for this post, it’s the most informative post I’ve read on this topic. I found a tiny pimple like lump on my 3 year old Golden Retrievers upper hip (To the left of the tail, closer to his back then his rear). It kept disappearing & reappearing so I took him to the vet for a biopsy in early November. It was a mast cell tumour & were currently waiting to hear if its high grade of low grade. He has surgery 5 days ago & his wound is so large, it was such a shock to see what came from a tiny pimple sized bump. We’re praying age is on side & hoping we caught it early enough. Losing him would be too much to take. Fingers crossed 🙁
Thanks again.
Hi Eadie,
I am sorry your Golden was diagnosed with a mast cell tumor. What a blessing you were able to catch it early and have it removed. Have you received any results from the pathologist yet? I am hopeful that you will get some good news and that the margins were clear from the surgery. Praying for a positive outcome. Feel free to leave an update when you have more details. ♥
Hi, I read your article, very informative. my baby had 1 Mast cell tu.mor on her lower right leg in Januaryof 2022. she is 13 and we had it removed to save her. The vet said he got it all and good margins.. The tumor appeared in the same spot in July and now there is several all over the area of her incision. Dr. had her on Prednisone for awhile but the side effects were not good so we have her on a very low dose. we also have been using Essiac tea for dogs. I have heard it has shrunk alot of tumors. it has been 3 months on Essiac with no change. This last week they have been growing aggressively and I think another 1 has s tdd started and her lower leg looks swollen. she is very healthy otherwise, so alive still and we are devastated thinking we will have to say goodbye soon. 2 have lost the hair and are getting red and I’m afraid they will burst. The vet just keeps telling me there is nothing to do at this point. there has to be something. she does not lick or bother them. she does tuck it under her chest. I dont want to lose our Lanigirl, she is still.to alive. breaking our hearts. please any help or guidance would be appreciated.
thank you
cheryl
Hi Cheryl,
I am so sorry your pup is suffering from multiple mast cell tumors. Since I haven’t examined your dog myself, it is hard to know if there are other treatments that could be of benefit for her specific situation. Did your vet mention if she was a candidate for Stelfonta or Palladia? If you are seeing signs of pain in your sweet girl, it may be time to ask your vet about palliative care or hospice services. I hope you can find the best way to keep Lani comfortable. Make the most of this time you have together. Bless you both.
Hi!
My 14-year-old Irish setter has mass cell tumors. First found one in April as a little lump however, it grew rapidly and I took him the first week of June. The biopsy revealed it was cancer however, he also has one in between his legs. My vet recommended I take him to a neurologist to make sure there’s nothing neurologically wrong with him before they would consider treatment. However, my vet said due to his age and the areas that they are at there isn’t enough skin to really be able to take the tumor and margin of skin around and be able to close the wound. So she said we should think about his quality of life. So I talked with my family and we decided if you’re not going to do surgery what is the point of going to a neurologist? We wanted him to have the surgery to remove the tumors, and if that didn’t seem to be an option we weren’t going to seek a neurologist opinion. So here we are in November and the tumors have grown tremendously. He takes two pain pills in the morning and at night as well as Benadryl. I’m noticing now a distinct odor and I’m scared it’s going to rupture because he’s constantly licking at it. I feel that it’s bothering him. I don’t know if it hurts him or if he just knows that it’s there because he’s constantly at it. Otherwise he seems himself. He eats. How will I know when the time is that I need to do some thing?
Dear Michelle,
I am sorry your boy is struggling with these mast cell tumors. I agree if you are pursuing palliative care then I would not think a visit to the neurologist would be worth the expense. I am concerned that with the smell you are noticing it is probably due to tissue that is necrotic and deteriorating due to the nasty substances these tumors excrete. If the tissue is looking unhealthy and your dog is licking constantly, I am almost positive your boy is painful despite his daily medications. I know I haven’t examined your dog myself and can’t make specific conclusions, but I am worried his quality of life is suffering and it may be time to make some difficult decisions. I will attach links to other articles with more information and great comments from other readers. I hope you can find the advice you need to make the best choice for you and your senior boy. Praying for strength and clarity.
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
3. Dog Euthanasia: Knowing When to Say Goodbye
My first black lab had a mast cell tumor that was surgically removed and came back a month later. We had to put him down a few months later. He was 13. That was 2009. We bought another black lab about a year later. He’s 12 and has many mast cell tumors. One today under his hear burst and bled profusely, with a flap of skin hanging down that reminded me of the JFK assassination film. It’s a nasty business. With this black lab, the tumors are soooo much more aggressive. Surgical removal was needed to stop the bleeding. My 12 year old daughter doesn’t get it. Denial I suppose. I would take all of their pain and grief. No more death, or mourning, or crying, or pain.
Dear Isin,
I am sorry you are dealing with these frustrating and worrisome tumors on your senior guy. It sounds like you are doing what you can to ensure he has the best quality of life possible. I hope the surgery will keep these issues at bay, at least for a while. Bless you and your family.
My 9 year old rescue Chihuahua was just diagnosed with grade 3 mast cell tumor. The doctor said they got clear margins but because it’s a grade 3, the chance of recurrence and or metastasis is likely inevitable. He just told me over the phone. She got her surgery (we went right into surgery, no needle aspiration or biopsy because he was pretty sure of what it was) 1 1/2wks ago & we go back in just a few days for stitch removal so I’m thinking he’ll tell me more then maybe & he told me he’s going to show me how to check her lymph nodes & they may have to be removed. I’m just confused. He mentioned the lymph nodes originally& said he’d take it out if needed but didn’t, Why not do that when you already had her opened up right by them? & If he thought she had an incurable cancer, & getting clean margins wouldn’t matter because it’ll always come back (& my research says they usually die 4-6 months after surgery with grade 3) why did we even put her through the surgery? He said chemo isn’t an option, though I couldn’t put her through that anyways. My baby acts completely normal & it’s so heartbreaking. Can you maybe help me understand more? What’s the difference in prognosis of a grade 3 mast cell tumor if it’s completely excised & shows clean margins, versus getting dirty margins? Why not take the lymph node? She hasn’t had any digestive or eating issues before or after her surgery. I know I’m all over the place but I’m hoping you can read through and answer some of my questions 💗🙏
Hi Jessica,
I understand your concern for your senior girl with this scary diagnosis. Since I haven’t evaluated your dog myself, it is hard to make specific conclusions about why certain choices have been made thus far. The difference in clean verses dirty margins is all about the cells left behind. With clean margins, all the cancerous cells are contained within the tissue that was removed. With dirty margins, the cancerous cells extend to the edges of the removed tissue. If cancerous cells are found on the edges of the tissue, then it is suspected some were also left behind and would be able to continue to grow and cause the cancer to spread. I highly recommend you make a list of your questions and concerns to take with you to the follow up visit. Also, whenever discussing emotional issues like this it can help to bring a friend along as another set of ears. Sometimes we don’t hear everything when we are worried and scared. If your current surgeon is your general practitioner veterinarian, you can always request a consult with an oncologist. It is never wrong to gather as much expert information as possible. I am hopeful you will find the answers you need to make the best choices for you and your sweet girl. Praying for a positive outcome and many happy days ahead.
Thank you for this article. It is very informative. I have a 12-ish Labrador who was diagnosed with a MCT on his neck in March of 2021. It was inoperable, so we started him on 75MG benadryl three times a day and famotidine 20MG twice a day. The vet spoke to us about prednisone, but I resisted due to the side effects. The tumor was under the skin and would vary in size between the size of a grape up to a walnut. It stayed like this for almost 18 months. Then, all of a sudden about 3 weeks ago, it became as large as a fist, and ulcerated. So we started him on prednisone 30mg daily for 2 weeks, tapering down to 10mg every other day, which my vet has described as his maintenance dose. Within 2 days of starting the prednisone, the tumor dried up and started shrinking. At this point, it is essentially gone. While I am super-pleased, everything I read says that the effects of prednisone are short-lived. Any idea what “short-lived” may mean?
Hi Jennifer,
Wow! I am impressed the tumor responded so well to the prednisone. What a blessing! We can never be sure exactly what “short-lived” means, but generally it is weeks to months. I am curious to know if now that the size of the tumor has been so dramatically decreased if that makes your pup a better candidate for surgery? It might be worth scheduling a consult with a veterinary oncologist just to find out all the options. I hope you will gain many extra quality days with your sweet boy. Enjoy every minute and feel free to leave an update as things progress.
my 11 yo pit bull was also just diagnosed with mct on her stomach in october 2022. took her to a surgeon (not regular vet) who of course wants to operate bc they slice to cure. hoewever, she is a big girl, a bit overweight and deals with heavy breathing in sleep and although surgeon said nothing about adverse risks of general anesthesia, i do worry about that. mainly though i am wondering if this is even the right course to take considering she is 11, life span for her size is 12, and she has a great life now and i think that taking into consideration the fact that she is not seemingly in pain (on rimadyl now for knee issues) and reading so much about these tumors, also not knowing if it is the more serious kind, my gut says to allow her to live without the stress and recovery of the surgery and subsequent medication; for what, a few more months? i know this is a personal decision but is there any way to know how bad it is before removing the tumor? (i don’t think so). it is a hard decision to make, i’m used to end of life for animals having had 3-5 dogs since age 19 and i’m now 52 but i’ve never had a dog with cancer. any advice appreciated although of course i know you can’t say what to do. thank you
Hi Ro,
I am sorry you are facing these difficult decisions about your girl’s health and wellbeing. Unfortunately, there is no way to know what stage the cancer is without removing the mass and having it evaluated by a pathologist. I understand you want your dog to have quality of life over quantity and I think that is a loving and noble choice. I have had several patients that had MCTs removed, and it was curative, and they went on to live long lives. The trouble is there is no way to know what the outcome will be without taking a chance on surgery. Is your senior girl healthy otherwise? I truly feel that you can’t go wrong with either choice you make. I hope you can find the advice you need to make a decision you can be comfortable with. Your girl is lucky to have you advocating for her and loving her every step of the way. Bless you both. ♥
My 8ish yr old Spaniel/Chow? mix was a pregnant rescue from a high kill shelter. She was a foster fail who stayed with me after her puppies were raised and adopted. In May, the groomer noticed an ulcerated mass in her ventral area (she has long shaggy hair). She does not enjoy her belly rubbed, so I missed the mass hidden in her hair which I feel very guilty for. The vet did a FNA, which showed inflammatory cells. She put her on an anti inflammatory, and antibiotics for 2 wks then her tumor was removed following completion of meds. It came back grade 2, high, MI 13. As a follow up, the vet did a chest X-ray, and abdominal U.S. The U. S. A showed a splenic mass. In July she had a splenectomy/liver biopsy. Both came out benign. We went to a oncology consult, but did not start Chemo. She was taking Benadryl/Pepcid daily. In September I noticed a small mass near her incision site. It was removed with aggressive margins & turned out to be a grade 3, high MI 8. This past week I noticed a small marble sized lump at the base of her ear. Last night I noticed it had opened. She has an appt for a FNA tomorrow. I can only pray it’s not a MCT. I don’t think it would be able to removed. She starts Chemo (Vinblastine) next week. I also put her on low carb kibble. I have done everything to help her. I also worry about the genetic component, as my aunt adopted one of her puppies who is 6 1/2. I am hoping the chemo helps without making her sick. I guess time will tell.
Dear Megan,
I am sorry you have been through so much with your sweet girl this past year. I understand your worry with this new lump and hope it is not a MCT. What did the FNA reveal? I applaud you for taking such an active role in advocating for your dog’s health and wellbeing. You have done everything you can up until this point to make sure your pup has a long and happy life. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance. Praying for a positive outcome and many happy days ahead.
Reese is 11yo Red Nose Pit. She is the Princess. She started having Mast Cell Tumors come up about 3 ago. We had one surgery to remove a few that we could see, but decided after that we would not put her through another surgery. We did not know then that was what she had. She has been on a Benadryl regimen for about 2 years or so after a trip to the emergency vet, and that vet was the one that really narrowed down the issue with the lumps. She has had several come up all over her now, but what makes us nervous are the ones we cannot see. Now, when she lays down to sleep she does some moaning. I fear it’s time and that she is uncomfortable, however, my husband thinks she may just need arthritis medicine. He is probably right about arthritis, but I think its a temporary fix, like the Benadryl. I believe it is far more progressed than we think or he wants to believe. She still has more good days than bad but those are fading quickly these days. Thank you for the article.
Hi Nikki,
I am sorry you are seeing Reese’s health start to decline. It is never a bad idea to talk to your vet about palliative care should you decide to forgo testing and just focus on making your pup comfortable. Also, the arthritis pain may be playing more of a role in Reese’s condition that you might think. I highly recommend you look into starting a joint supplement and discuss possible pain medications with your vet. You never know how her quality of life might be impacted by a simple medication unless you give it a shot. Even if treating the arthritis doesn’t take away all her struggles, it could make her last days a bit more comfortable. Best wishes to you and yours.
Our sweet Aussie was dx with MCT on her nose a little over 1yr of age. She is 2 1/2 now and has gone through 2 rounds of Palladia and during the second round she had 4 radiation treatments. She is now at 3.5 months since the 2nd round finished. While we do not see the return of the tumor on her nose yet, she has been fighting diarrhea and in recent days we noticed she is drinking a lot more water. Different TX for the diarrhea have been unsuccessful including diet changes. we are back to chicken and rice. She is still eating, still loves her walks and going to the dog park but I’m seeing other subtle changes in activity level. of course the diarrhea could be zapping her energy but it’s time for another vet visit. 🙁
Hi Mary,
I am sorry your sweet girl is struggling with GI issues and lethargy. I agree, another vet visit seems to be the best way to proceed. I hope you find out there is an easy fix, and your girl can quickly start feeling more like herself. You have been through so much this past year. Praying for relief and smooth sailing in the future. Thank you for sharing your experience with our readers!
Bucky, our 10 yr old German Shorthaired Pointer had surgery a month ago for a tumor on his pupis, the vet could not get it all due to its location around his urethra. He is grade II, #8. We have not yet gone to an oncologist, and feel torn about that treatment.. He is currently being treated with 75 mg benedryl every 12 hours, he healed well from surgery and acts relatively normal.
Hi Carol,
I am sorry the pathology results were not what you had hoped, and the tumor could not be completely removed. I understand your concern with additional treatment and testing but think it might be a good idea to go ahead with the oncology consult. Just because you have Bucky evaluated by the specialist doesn’t mean you have to put him through any additional procedures. They can give you more detailed information about your dog’s specific situation and let you know what options are available. This way you can make a fully informed decision and be at peace with the choices that are made. I am glad Bucky is feeling good and has healed well from his surgery. I hope his days are happy and he is surrounded by the ones who love him most.
My pitbull terrier Ava is 11 y/o now and has had 5 surgeries to remove tumors on legs, head and belly. The most recent was a MCT on hind upper leg. I have decided NOT to let her have any more surgeries. We are waiting for the staging from the evaluation from the removal presently. She has had skin allergies since forever it seems on apoquel for years. My Ava has been a trooper through all of the excision but this is definately the last time I will put her through that. Come what may, we will keep her happy and comfortable for whatever time God gives us with her. She is our princess.
I cannot stand to give her benadryl long term. But it seems the mainstay of treatment. I pray for all you and please enjoy your pet everyday as I will do.
Hi Beverly,
I can only imagine the stress you have been through trying to deal with these recurring tumors and skin issues with Ava. I don’t blame you for choosing palliative care and I would make the same choice for my own pup. I hope Ava can live out her days happy and surrounded by the ones that love her most. Praying for good news from the pathologist. Bless you both!
Our American Bulldog, Finch, is a rescue. He was left tied out at a home when his owners moved out. When found, he was ematiated, dehydrated, had skin infection (weepy, crusty skin), double ear infections, numerous insect bites and had large areas of missing hair. He also was heartworm positive. Completely emotionally shut down. He was around a year old, not quite finished growing. I first saw him at the shelter just hours after he was brought in, and applied to foster him through his hw treatment and neutering. Of course he became a foster fail.♡ Finch is a sweet and energetic boy. He has struggled with allergies since day one. I took him to a holistic vet, who helped me devise a proper diet for him. I have fed him a raw low carb diet ever since, and it has helped. I also give him Zyrtec every day, and Benedryl as needed. He also gets cortisone shots as needed for skin inflammation. He also has had a few recurring ear infections. However last year, I had a marble size lump removed from his hind leg (thigh). It was a grade II MCT. I have continued his diet and meds, and now he has a new lump on the same back thigh. My vet said it probably is a MCT. Finch is only 3 years old. I am trying to figure out cost of treatment vs. quality of life. Finch seems happy, but is often itchy. I hate putting him through surgeries. He loves his diet, and takes his pills like a champ. But as a young dog, he has a lifetime of medical costs associated with such an early diagnosis of MCC. Is his quality of life moving forward going to make the expenses and effort worth it? He also is not our only dog. I am struggling to weigh out our options. My husband is supportive of whatever I decide. My vet agreed that euthasia is on the table of options at this point, as he will most likely require many more surgeries at this rate. Any advice? Feeling pretty heartbroken at this point, but Finch’s health and well being is number one, and prolonging his suffering is not ok.
Hi Lori,
Finch sounds like such a sweet boy. He was lucky to have found you to get a second chance at life. I understand the cost and burden that comes with a dog that has allergic skin issues. Since I haven’t examined your pup myself, it is hard to make conclusions and recommendations on his quality of life and how to proceed with treatment. When the previous MCT was removed, did the pathologist’s report say if there were clean margins? If the entire tumor was removed, then I would be surprised if this new MCT was related to the previous one. Some dogs are just more prone to this type of mass than others but that doesn’t mean that removal can’t be curative. If you are trying to decide between surgery and euthanasia, it might be a good idea to get a second opinion from an oncologist. Your guy might be a candidate for treatment with Stelfonta as mentioned in the article. I hope you can find the answers you need to make the best choice for you and Finch. If saying goodbye turns out to be the most loving option, I pray you find the strength needed to make these emotional decisions. Best wishes and bless you both.
We had a Boston Terrier that would frequently have mast cell tumors after a stressful change, After we went on vacation whether came with us or was at home with a dog sitter.. He also got them if we had frequent severe storms. The last one he had was after a family move to a new home at the time he was 11 years old and a tumor came up within 2 weeks of the move. After the surgery the vet recommended he take a benadryl as a daily supplement and he never had another one. He lived to be 15 and other than sight and hearing issues was in good health for a Boston Terrier.
Hi Darlene,
This is so interesting! What a blessing to have had 15 wonderful years with your sweet boy. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. Best wishes!
This is the most thorough article on mast cell cancer for pet owners that I’ve found! Our yellow lab, now 14, had mast cell cancer 5 years ago. It was on the mouth. One young and inexperienced vet said she thought it was a foxtail. So 6 months went by before we saw our vet in another state. That one immediately said we needed to test for MCT. Even though 6 months had passed, they thought we had caught it early, so we went ahead with radiation and then chemo. Those were some of the most difficult times for her and for me as her guardian. I don’t know if I could do it again and def will not put her through that again. I feel that the prednisone really did a number on her joints. That being said, she is still with us and still loves life. Technological advances are also making radiation more targeted and not requiring so many rounds of anesthesia. A new MCT popped up on her hind leg recently and we are thankful it was a grade one. One thing I would like to share is that daily, full body massage really has been so helpful to me in keeping track of what is showing up on her body and detecting it as early as possible. She is nuts about our sessions and it is a great bonding time.
Hi Vivian,
I am so glad your Lab was able to completely recover from her previous MCTs. What a blessing to still have her by your side after 14 years of love and devotion. Daily massages are a wonderful idea and something I highly recommend for all dogs no matter their age! Thank you for the kind words about the article. I really appreciate you taking the time to share your story with our readers. Give your sweet girl a hug for me. ♥
Vivian what level was your labs mast? My dog. Is only 5 and she has a few sores on her…..she’s always had allegies so our vet just kept giving us treatments for that. I decided to visit. a dermatologist vet and one visit/ biopsy determined she has mast cells. She said surgery is not an option. I’m heart broken. Wtg to get a call back from oncologist.
Our 14-year-old Jack Russell Terrier, Lou, had a mast cell tumor appear suddenly on a back leg around Thanksgiving in 2021. We were referred to an vet oncologist who followed a traditional path. She didn’t know about (or at least did not offer) stelfonta injections, which we understand now are an excellent option when a tumor is caught early. She also did not offer FidoCure – genetic testing that predicts which chemo medications your dog will respond to better (note that it is expensive, about $1,500, but we would still have welcomed the option). The vet said she would not amputate because the tumor would just grow back at the site (we have since learned that this very rarely happens). As a result, Lou had a variety of chemo treatments for about 6 months which at times held the tumor at bay, and at times did not. At some point, the vet said “well, we knew it would come to this.” Lou was feeling fine and doing fine, other than the tumor. We were not ready to give up on him and sought advice from a veterinary surgeon who removed Lou’s back leg in May. He did really well, they managed the pain with a patch and he has learned to maneuver easily as a tripod, using his tail for balance. We also found a different vet oncologist and did the FidoCure testing. We are going to start a specialized chemo that was recommended after this genetic testing. So far, Lou is all clear, no additional tumors and no sign of spread to other organs. His tumor was an aggressive grade, so we are going to try chemo as a preventative. However, since he’s older, if the chemo makes him feel ill, we will just take him off it and enjoy him. It has been a long haul with Lou, but we are glad for the extra time with him. Just wish we had been presented with better options at the outset. We would have done the surgery sooner.
Hi Janet,
Thank you for sharing your experience with our readers. I hope your story will help someone else in a similar situation with their senior pup. I am sorry this past year has been so difficult for Lou and you. It makes my heart happy to know that he is doing well since the amputation and is enjoying some extra time with the ones who love him most. I hope the chemo will keep the cancer from spreading. Praying for many happy days ahead with your sweet boy.
My lovely girl Gracie is a golden retriever mix rescue, she’s 5 and she’s my world. About 18 months ago the vets removed a lump from her back that turned out to be a grade 1 MCT, she was fine after, healed really well and got on with her life… all the way up until this Christmas when I spotted another much faster growing lump very close to the scar from her first removal, quickly followed by another lump on her back leg. They removed both just over two weeks ago with clean margins, and they came back as grade 2 mct this time.
I could tell something wasn’t right with her though, despite her recovery going well, she just wasn’t herself… and when she started to show signs of pain in her stomach. I whisked her straight to the hospital… that was yesterday, they did an ultrasound and then a needle aspiration on her liver and spleen. Today I found out they found an mct in her spleen and they’re concerned about her liver too. I’m completely devastated, she’s such a soft gentle soul – I hate that she’s hurting and I can’t fix it for her. and I feel so guilty for putting her though such an intense surgery when this was clearly brewing in the background.
Dear Lo,
My heart is breaking for you as you come to terms with this devastating diagnosis Gracie has received. I think you made the right decision to have the lumps removed, even knowing what you do now. I would have done the same for one of my own. How is Gracie feeling? I know you will be facing some difficult decisions in the near future about your sweet girl’s quality of life. I am praying for your strength and for comfort for your pup. Bless you both. ♥
Such great information in the article and stories shared by many. My prayers go out to those currently dealing with a MCT as well as those who have dealt with them in the past.
Question regarding recurrence, is it usual for a new MCT to form in same exact spot along scar from original surgical removal?
My 8 year old Amstaff had a Low Grade / Grade 2 MCT removed about six months ago with clean margins, now we have noticed a small lump / skin tag looking spot along scar basically in same exact spot at original tumor.. It is very small, less than 2mm, but don’t want to wait long to have it checked out. He has an exam scheduled in 2 weeks, will have it checked then.
Hi Jim,
I understand your concern about this new growth at the previous surgical site. I wouldn’t say this situation is usual or common, but it does happen from time to time. I think it is wise that you are planning to have it evaluated while still so small. Hoping for good news and a positive outcome!
How much did that cost in the long run?