You really need to get the tumor graded with a biopsy. From there you have options depending on the grade. I spend quite a bit of time at the oncologist in Annapolis. Dr. Peterson may not have the best bed side manner she is very honest and upfront. Her staff more than makes up for her "coldness".
I agree with Catt get started on the benadryl 1mg per pound of dog twice a day and a pepcid or zantac twice a day (usually one dose). Get rid of as many carbs as you can. My boy was a very picky eater too so I had to choose him eating what ever he would eat.
There is a non-invasive injection. It has been successful in MCT's that are Grade 1. Not all vets are aware of this option so do some research on it. Grade 2's are the worst because they can mimic grade 1 or grade 3. I would not recommend chemo for this type of cancer. It doesn't really respond well to the chemo.
"NOW FOR THE GOOD STUFF!!
Cami had several tumors aspirated. All deemed MCT's. Of the seven aspirated, FIVE were injected with a type of prednisone called "triamcinolone". The exact terminology is "intralesional triamcinolone". In a nutshell and certainly nothing scientific here the hopeful end result is that the med BLASTS the mast cells and destroys them. At least in her experience (oncologist) she has had a 50% response rate. If it doesn't kill the MCT's it will at least make them smaller and then we can opt to have them removed via a punch biopsy under another light sedation without having to resort to a full blown "out of it entirely" sedation.
This drug was very INEXPENSIVE......just $7.00 for the 6mg's that was split between five tumors. She goes back again next week for a recheck and quite likely another injection. If this works (crossing everything cross-able) we can hit the other tumors that didn't get injected today.
There is very little info available online about this but I spotted a few articles in the past few nights. I took this info with me and asked her about it. She is one of the oncologists that has been using it for years and it was her name that I found with the info."
Oncology visit MCT's - Boxer Board
If you go to
Boxerworld.com - Welcome to Boxer World - The Ultimate Dog Resource! and go under health issues there are several very informative threads on MCT's and treatments. Call name CAMI has had a very long run with them.
There are also studies and trials out there on MCT treatments for dogs. We were in one last year for Indy it was call Palladia.
I am so sorry you are going thru this. I will be praying for a postive outcome.
When inspecting her head to toe last night after getting the news I found what's probably another one that's really small.
I was fully prepared for it to be expensive but when you can spay an animal for $400, removing a tumor that's just under the skin shouldn't be anywhere near that amount. I just really feel like the diagnosis was handled poorly and that the price is inflated. So, do you have a vet that you love? I'm an emotional wreck and could use some compassion and someone to explain things to me. Cost isn't a problem; I feel like the price we were quoted was inflated but if that's what it costs and it's explained to me I have no problem paying whatever it costs.
