Last night we got the news we didn't want to hear. The lump on Eva's foot is a Mast Cell Tumor. What does this mean? It means a lot. A mast cell (or mastocyte) is a resident cell of several types of tissues and contains many granules rich in histamine and heparin. Although best known for their role in allergy and anaphylaxis, mast cells play an important protective role as well, being intimately involved in wound healing and defense against pathogens. (Wikipedia) So what is actually there to help the body has now turned and is beginning to destroy the body.Mast cell tumors (MCT) are cancerous proliferations of mast cells. Although they can and will spread throughout the body, the danger from mast cell tumors arises from the secondary damage caused by the release of chemicals that they produce. These chemicals can cause systemic problems that include gastric ulcers, internal bleeding, and a range of allergic manifestations. Clearly, mast cell tumors affect both lifespan and quality of life. Sometimes mast cell tumors are referred to as "the great imposters," as there is no way to definitively identify them without a biopsy and pathology report. Mast cell tumors vary widely in their size, shape, appearance, texture, and location. It can be difficult not only to recognize mast cell tumors but to predict their course. They may be relatively innocent or aggressively malignant. As mast cell tumors are very common in dogs, it is important for the regular pet owner to have at least a basic understanding of what they are and how they work.
(via Courteous Canines)
Here is where we stand. There are three different ways we could go with this. There is radiation, alternative medicine, and western medicine. Radiation is just what you would expect, but there is no place in Vermont that does it. We would have to drive out of state (not sure where) to a vet hospital that does. It is three times a week for three weeks (maybe more). The usual procedure is taking the dog to that hospital and then leaving them for the week and they come home for the weekend. This is very expensive procedure and not really sure if it will take care of the tumor.
Alternative medicine is just that - alternative. Our vet worked with another vet that uses alternative medicine and that would be the person we would go to if we decided to go that way.
The third is Western Medicine. There are three things we could do here. One - prednisone at the regular dosage (which is high) and see if we could shrink the tumor back 50% or more (15-20% chance that it will shrink). The problem with this is there are some side affects (not major). The side affects are drinking a lot of water and peeing excessively. There are some instances that some dogs have had accidents in the house. This would only be a problem for us at night if she doesn't wake us, since I will be home all day. Two - prednisone and two other Chemo drugs (didn't get names). The prednisone and one of the chemo drugs are oral and the third is an IV. This method is very vet intensive since we would have to take her there for the IV medicine. Our vet would be able to do this one. They would also have to do blood monitoring. Third - prednisone at a lower rate as not to create the side affects. This could be OK, but at a lower dosage may not do anything to the tumor. It will also suppress the immune system and may shrink the tumor temporarily, but may also let the tumor get used to the drug and when it grows back may be resistant to the prednisone.
A Mass Cell Tumor will release histamines and cause problems there so we need to put her on antihistamine. We will get them tomorrow. Also, this tumor can cause stomach ulcers. We will have her on an acid reducer to help against this. To actually remove this type of tumor, you need take a 1-inch margin on all sides of the tumor. Since Eva’s tumor is on her foot, even if we reduce the size there isn’t enough space to remove the tumor. And there are more bumps all over her which could be more hidden Mast Cell Tumors. Our main goal now is to make sure Eva’s quality of life is the best it can be. This is the hardest part of an owner’s life. Are we making the right decision?
Here is where we stand. There are three different ways we could go with this. There is radiation, alternative medicine, and western medicine. Radiation is just what you would expect, but there is no place in Vermont that does it. We would have to drive out of state (not sure where) to a vet hospital that does. It is three times a week for three weeks (maybe more). The usual procedure is taking the dog to that hospital and then leaving them for the week and they come home for the weekend. This is very expensive procedure and not really sure if it will take care of the tumor.
Alternative medicine is just that - alternative. Our vet worked with another vet that uses alternative medicine and that would be the person we would go to if we decided to go that way.
The third is Western Medicine. There are three things we could do here. One - prednisone at the regular dosage (which is high) and see if we could shrink the tumor back 50% or more (15-20% chance that it will shrink). The problem with this is there are some side affects (not major). The side affects are drinking a lot of water and peeing excessively. There are some instances that some dogs have had accidents in the house. This would only be a problem for us at night if she doesn't wake us, since I will be home all day. Two - prednisone and two other Chemo drugs (didn't get names). The prednisone and one of the chemo drugs are oral and the third is an IV. This method is very vet intensive since we would have to take her there for the IV medicine. Our vet would be able to do this one. They would also have to do blood monitoring. Third - prednisone at a lower rate as not to create the side affects. This could be OK, but at a lower dosage may not do anything to the tumor. It will also suppress the immune system and may shrink the tumor temporarily, but may also let the tumor get used to the drug and when it grows back may be resistant to the prednisone.
A Mass Cell Tumor will release histamines and cause problems there so we need to put her on antihistamine. We will get them tomorrow. Also, this tumor can cause stomach ulcers. We will have her on an acid reducer to help against this. To actually remove this type of tumor, you need take a 1-inch margin on all sides of the tumor. Since Eva’s tumor is on her foot, even if we reduce the size there isn’t enough space to remove the tumor. And there are more bumps all over her which could be more hidden Mast Cell Tumors. Our main goal now is to make sure Eva’s quality of life is the best it can be. This is the hardest part of an owner’s life. Are we making the right decision?
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