Dear Dr. John,
We journey backwards and forwards within the winter months from New England to Florida and our groomers discovered one thing on our ten-year-old Cavapoo canine that one veterinarian in Boston mentioned was nothing and prescribed antibiotics, solely to seek out out that our different veterinarian in Florida discovered it to be a big mast cell tumor. Our vet in FL suggests reducing it out however tells us that it’s going to require eradicating a number of flesh and is likely to be disfiguring. Is this our solely possibility? How harmful is a mast cell tumor particularly given its location and can it have an effect on her longevity? E.H.
Dear E.H.,
Mast cell tumors (MCT) are to be taken critically and it’s disappointing to assume {that a} veterinary skilled might need checked out a mass that measurement and never be extra involved. I wish to assume they’d a cause for his or her preliminary evaluation and remedy given historical past and presentation.
They are the most typical pores and skin tumor in canine, most readily seen as raised reddened lesions that are most frequently solitary. Size and placement are determinants within the strategy to remedy. The first step after a nice needle aspirate is blood work and an intensive bodily examination, insuring that there aren’t any enlarged lymph nodes or different findings. The location of the MCT in your canine poses some concern to me and it must be graded from I-III. This will decide strategy and consequence. Most sometimes, surgical procedure is finished to take away the mass with extensive margins. Radiation has additionally been used, in addition to varied medicine as chemotherapy.
More just lately, two new medicine have been on the veterinary market to deal with these as properly. Palladia is an oral treatment and Stelfonta is an injectable drug. Either is likely to be used to try to shrink a mass earlier than surgical excision is carried out. The grading of the tumor is essential on the subject of prognosis and the way lengthy your canine may reside.
I’d transfer shortly in grading the tumor and beginning no matter plan of action is sensible in line with your veterinarian’s ideas. I hope the end result is profitable and that it results in a cheerful new 12 months!
Dr. John de Jong owns and operates the Boston Mobile Veterinary Clinic.He could be reached at 781-899-9994.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”