Mast cell tumour - any positive stories?

[Sickdog]

Hi

My 7 year old lab has unfortunately been diagnosed with a mast cell tumour following needle aspiration and lab analysis. The lump will be removed next week, and the stage then determined. Looking at Dr google the prognosis is pretty bleak if it's stage 3 and also for some dogs at stage 2.

I'm obviously worried about the future and also about the surgery. He's a fit dog but it sounds like the wound will be so large - they will aim for clear margins so the wound will be 4x4cm.

Does anyone have any positive stories for me? I'm very concerned.

Our last dog had 2 big ops to remove 2 of these
The first one was on his chest with a big area involved,the first few days after were hard but he recovered well
The next one was 2 years later, again a big area involved
He then had chloronpenical tabs twice daily (piriton) as this can and did reduce re occurance....suggested to vet after I googled and she was happy for us to give it
He lived another 5 years and was about 12 years old when he died of lymphoma
Good luck

So sorry to hear that. My lab boy had one removed at about 6 years old, on his chest with large margins taken - certainly as wide as 4x4 cm.
He recovered really well. He’s 10 1/2 now and really well with no further issues. We check around his scar regularly and he has blood screen annually but other than one missing nipple, you would never know.
Hope all goes well for you and your boy.

My boy (golden retriever) has had 3 removed - the first when he was about 8. They have all been grade 1 thankfully and the surgery was successful in removing the cells. The scars are very big but he healed really well - takes a while for the fur to grow back.. He is now 12 and we take him for regular check ups with te oncologist and check him ourselves for any new lumps. Good luck with your boy.

The vast majority of mast cell tumours that are removed are grade 1 and 2. The grade 2 should then have further testing as they fall into two categories.
Honestly in 23 years I have only seen one dog for who mast cell disease was the cause of the end of it's life and I have removed hundreds of mast cell tumours.

My lab had one removed nearly 3 years ago on his leg and has been fine since. This was grade one and that was removed months after it first appearing. The vets originally thought it was a cyst until after they sent it for testing. The scar healed very well and he was back to his usual nutty self after a day or so. He loved carrying his toys around in his massive cone of shame.

Let us know how your dog is after the op x

My pup (7) had one removed from his chest...large incision, scar is probably 4-5 inches long. Grade 1, no further issues except for a yearly lump check.

My lab x had one removed from a tricky area (long recovery and the scar took a year or so to recover enough not to reopen). This was 3 years ago and he's fine now, touch wood. There's always the possibility he'll develop more, but for now there's no sign of anything and he's as happy and healthy as ever.

Thank you all very much for replying. I feel a little less panicked now and will hope for a positive outcome. I really appreciate your kind replies.

Reading with interest, my old girl is 12 and I'm taking her to vets this afternoon with a lump under her chin that we noticed had significantly changed 4 weeks ago. At the time vet advised taking pictures and monitoring for 4 weeks, it has changed and grown again. She also has a few smaller lumps on her body. She had some lumps removed when she was 6 too which they told us were nothing other than skin tags. I'm feeling quite nervous. Hoping for good news.
How did you get on @Sickdog?

Hi User2309
Sorry to hear about your girl. DDog had surgery this morning to remove the tumour and is coming home later. Now we have to wait for the lab results....hoping for stage 1 or 2 at worst. The blood tests run pre-op were all normal so I'm hoping that's a good sign it hasn't spread to DDogs organs.

Your girl's lumps may be nothing sinister but definitely good you're seeing the vet later today. Hope it goes well.

Hi, I did start my own thread but had no replies, so I hope you don't mind me jumping on here.
I'm wondering if this is what my black lab has. I have been given a quote of £1000 for a biopsy of the lump on her ear, which is permanently red and bleeding at the moment. I just wanted to check that this is the normal procedure, and if there's anything I should ask the vet before going ahead. Is the removal of the lump effectively the treatment in this case, or is there more treatment?

@pagansophie my dog had a fine need aspiration yesterday to take a biopsy of her 3 lumps/growths. It cost me with the consultation £114.00.
What happens regarding removing etc will depend on what it is but I dont have any costs for this as yet.
Hope that helps.

@User2309 thank you for your reply. I feel like there's no option, but to do what the vet recommends, but it's such a lot of money, over £1000. (no insurance) I haven't been offered the needle aspiration, I suppose I should ask the vet why that is.

Just thought I'd come back to this thread to say that Ddog had the mast cell tumour removed. The lab report came in today to say it was a low grade tumour which was removed with clear margins.
So, brilliant news that no further treatment is needed. I am so relieved.
I will need to keep an eye out for any other lumps and bumps but otherwise DDog is fit and well to roll and get generally filthy (once the wound is healed!)

Great news Sickdog.