Mast Cell Tumour experience?

[NoMoreMarbles]

My DDog is 8yo, Dalmatian x Staffordshire bull terrier. Usually full of beans and very loving.

Backstory...We went away in our caravan for the weekend at the end of November and it seemed that she had injured her front right paw on one of her walks and other than licking at it a little she wasn't too bothered, no limping etc - I only noticed as she left a blood spot on the blanket as she jumped up after her walk. When I looked there was a red area on the 'palm' of her paw and it looked swollen so I cleaned it up and kept an eye on it the rest of the weekend. It seemed like it was bothering her a little bit so I booked her an appointment at the vets when we got home.

Fast forward to 2 lots of antibiotics later, the vet had a proper look at the paw (she's terrified of the vets and it's hard for them to get near her as she's so stressed out- we have to pin her to the ground almost!) and recommended a biopsy as the swelling subsided slightly and it looked more like a mass than just swollen.

She had the biopsy on 12th December and has been on antibiotics and painkillers since then and is hopping around now

We had the day 10/12 check up on Christmas Eve and the results were in. She's been diagnosed with stage 2 mast cell cancer and referred to an oncologist

I'm so so worried about what's next. Prognosis is amputation at best and at worst if it's spread elsewhere we might be looking at losing her. I'm devastated at the thought of the latter but equally worried how she would cope with one less leg...

I suppose I'm looking for a hand hold as much as experiences.

[Dreamersandwishers]

Handhold from me @NoMoreMarbles.
My then 5 year old boy had a tumour on his abdomen. It took a while to diagnose. We have been lucky in that it was removed along with a huge margin and he has been fine for almost 4 years.
Vet does bloods and we check him all over, and panic at any bump, but he’s doing ok.
Amputation sounds brutal, but they are adaptable little so-and-sos, and I see a few 3 legged pups out on walks.
Hoping for the best for you and your girl. Hugs to both 💐

[Winterdaysarehere]

Our ddog survived mammary cancer this year. No amputation but my thoughts at this awful time op.
Didn't expect her to make Christmas but she did.
Fingers crossed for your ddog op.

[Auldspinster]

My brother's chocolate lab had 3 separate cases of mast cell tumours- he had major abdominal surgery and was fine for a few years, had a recurrence on his leg and then another couple of good years and finally just before Christmas last year it came back again and sadly he was very poorly and was put to sleep at the age of 11.

None of us thought he'd pull through the first surgery but he was a happy healthy boy for a good while afterwards.

Hang in there .

[NoMoreMarbles]

Thanks

I'm trying to arm myself with information so when we see the specialist in the new year I'm not blindsided by what they tell us...

She's currently snoozing next to me on the couch with a belly full of turkey and beef so is entirely oblivious hopefully.

[Septembe66]

Chandler hold from me. I know what you are going through. This will be our last Christmas with our gorgeous little dog. She started looking a bit fat around September. Vet thought it was a tumour on her spleen which could be removed and she would be ok. Further tests showed it’s a tumour on her liver and we were told weeks rather than months. She’s now on steroids and is her old self but we know it’s temporary and just preparing ourselves for when it happens. We didn’t think she would be here for Christmas so every day is a bonus but it’s breaking all our hearts at the though of what’s to come. She’s only 9. 10 next month so hoping to be able to give her a good birthday. They’re just such a big part of our lives it’s so hard when they’re ill.