ATTN Vets-possible mast cell tumor?

I have an 11 year old English Setter who was diagnosed with mast cell cancer about 14 months ago. Mast cell carcinoma CAN cause itching(it did with my dog). We had the large tumor surgically removed(they were unable to get it all) and she was then put on 2-20 mg Benadryl tablets, 1 Tagamet and 1 Prednisone a day-this helped with the itching considerably and to this day, she is doing remarkably well.
I took my dog to Texas A&M Vet Hospital to an oncologist(about 5 hours away) to get what I consider to be the best treatment option available and they totally agreed with the current therapy she is taking.
If this is in fact mast cell carcinoma, I wish you good luck with your dog!

 

I get generic Benadryl($1.97 for 20) generic Tagamet(around $2.00 a box) and about $15 a month for the Prednisone from my local vet.
She did not receive any treatment at A&M, just an assessment. They offered chemo which was going to cost around $4000(and make her feel awful) but the prognosis wasn't all that much better than with the treatment she is currently receiving. They also suggested a deeper surgery to remove the tumor my local vet was unable to get(VERY expensive).
Just as an aside, my Setter's cancer had not spread beyond her hip(which was confirmed with blood tests). Apparently mast cell tends to spread to the lungs and spleen.
There is a new treatment for mast cell called Palladia-checked with A&M when it came out on the market and the oncologist told me the side effects are pretty rough and that was a last resort drug and that as long as my Setter was responding to her current therapy, she would not recommend it.
More info than you asked for, but I just wanted to share anything I could with you to help out you and your dog.

 

I have had several mast cell tumors removed from my dogs successfully with no recurrence. The most important thing is to have them removed early with a wide margin. I did not catch one in time on one of my dogs and she had to be put down after some months. If it is indeed a mast cell tumor on your dog, have it removed immediately or resign yourself to watch your pet die a slow painful death.

You can take your dog to the vet and have them aspirate the lump and do cytology on the aspirate.

You might also research canine histiocytoma.

Itching problems and skin issues usually aren't that hard to deal with with a little research on your part.
Dogs having to be put down because of their skin issues are few and far between.

You have no need of a dog if you are not committed to its care or cannot afford it.

 

i am sorry about your pup.
i think maybe you need another vet.if they even think there is a possibilty of cancer they shouldn't have sent the dog home and tell you to come back next week.it takes 5 minutes to shoot an xray and it will tell you right then if its cancer.goodluck.

 

My Sheltie had a few mast cell tumors on the back of her neck; we found them back in 1996 and they gave her a few months to live after the surgery to remove them. Maggie was 16 when she died in 2008, from old age.