Mast Cell Tumors

[fionasmom]

I still haven't fully accepted it but Onyx has 2 mast cell tumors that we have to get removed and tested. I need to get all the info I can on this and all the different experiences that other people have had.

We are getting them removed next week. The vet said he doubts they can get a good margin on them just because of the location. One is in the bend of his tail on his back and the big one lays right next to his bum.

I'm not to the point of crying yet, I have to be strong for him. But if I sit down and think about it I know I will.

Any info will be appreciated!!

[Blanche]

Kim--
A couple of people have dealt with this. Rona's LouLou and I think one of Maryjo's girls.
I'm sorry to hear about Onyx, but let's hope for good things. LouLou is doing just fine, I believe. Not a fun thing to find out, though!

[crazypugmom]

Here are some places where I found some good information for Pugsly

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body...ll_tumors.html

http://www.kateconnick.com/library/mastcelltumor.html

[Old Mother Hubbard]

So sorry to read that Onyx has mast cell tumors. My rescue Nelson has had three removed .Like you I did sit down and have a cry when we did the first one . We are off today to have the sutures removed from the last 2. Keep us updated please.

[PugSavers]

Sadly, a LOT of pugs have mast cell tumors. My Betty has had 2 removed as had my foster pug, Tiny Tim and I personally know at least 10 other pugs who also have them.The good news is, that in pugs they are very rarely grade 3 and invasive of the other organs. When we discovered the 2 on Tiny Tim we were really worried becuase he has a diaphramatic hernia and his spleen and 1/2 his intestines are in his chest cavity which makes him a very poor surgical candidate. We took him to UC Davis Vet School oncology program. We did what they call "stage" it, which means we checked it had not gone into his other organs, and then they recommended a punch biopsy only to take them off..no worry with margins. The reason they did that, I was told, was because he is a pug and there is such a small incidence of it going systemic, the vet felt this was the best way to go.It has been 9 months now and he is doing great.The surgery can look brutal when they take margins...prepare yourself to see Frankenpug as I joke, but the prognosis is good for pugs. I will keep you both in my thoughts and prayers.

[Old Mother Hubbard]

I should have also mentioned that Nelson looked awful when I picked him up this time a huge 6 x 6 inche shaved patch on his back along with a drain either side of the sutures. Two weeks on and his hair is already growing back in and his sutures came out today. We are going to take an xray of his spleen every 6 months from now on as if they do spread they go to the spleen first. I do a daily check now for lumps and bumps.

[rolland]

Kim I am very sorry that you are having to deal with this.

How did you know that Onyx had them? Probably a stupid question but I don't really know for sure what they are or look like.

[FourteenLegs]

Kim, I am very, very sorry that you and Onyx have to go through this. LouLou has had two surgeries for MCT's, the first one a very easily removed, good result one, and the second, more recent one much more difficult. She had the second surgery nearly 12 months ago. It was on the back of her hind leg, so good margins were not possible. She had follow up chemo therapy. LouLou was 13.5 at the time and came through the surgery well (most important that the surgeon follow strict procedures with anesthesia....search on the forum for Viralmd's recommendations regarding this and ask your vet to follow it TO THE LETTER....) The chemo can knock them about a little bit - LouLou was pretty good except for a dramatic turn where she had an infection with a MAJOR temperature spike - a couple of days in the hospital on strong antibiotics and fluid support saw her through it. Your vet will probably want to do a follow-up course of chemo if the margins aren't good and if it is a higher grade (2+). If Onyx is on chemo, just keep a very close eye on him - I would say maybe even take his temp daily wouldn't be a bad idea. That will be a good indicator of anything going wrong. Other than that they do tolerate the chemo well. They don't have nausea or hair loss. Their appetites can get a little finicky, but that's okay. One year on and LouLou is doing great with no indications of recurrence - I am very glad I had it done. She'll be 15 early next year! It's scary Kim, I know, but it will be okay.

[TessiesMom]

Hi Kim. My Tessie had a MCT removed a few months back. The vet was able to get good margins because it was on her stomach, which is very flabby from having puppies (she is a puppymill rescue). I check her daily for new lumps and just found one that will be looked at this week. She also has some skin tags, so I am making sure this is not another tumor. Besides a couple of sutures, she has been fine.

Let us know when Onyx is going to have surgery. Try to stay calm, which I know is hard. You and Onyx will be in my thoughts.

[fionasmom]

Kim I am very sorry that you are having to deal with this.

How did you know that Onyx had them? Probably a stupid question but I don't really know for sure what they are or look like.

At first the tumor looked like a bug bite on his bum. It kept getting bigger and looked like it was going to explode. It was pink with a red edge to it. His other one is white and has hair coming out of it. They are only about 3 inches apart.

I knew from the start it was cancer, I even told my bf. I just don't have a good feeling about this. He goes in for surgery Oct 27.

Thanks for all of your support.