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If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

I think my dog has a mast cell tumour

53 replies

Ilovecurrywednesdays · 16/02/2024 16:48

My god I feel like I could vomit at any moment.

My dog, a 6 year old staffie, has had a lump on her side for a while, probably a year and a half, could be more. Its now about 1.5 inches big.

Shes been to the vet who I've trusted for years with my animals, who up to now has been some sort of wizard who has sorted out many benign things that I've instantly thought were bad news (my mind always jumps to the worst, then I'm prepared).

Hes always said this lump was nothing to worry about, even when we've said it grows then shrinks and bothers her some days then she'll be fine for weeks. She has other lumps that just stay the same size and are hard and just on the skin. Vet said these are all just fatty lumps and he wouldn't recommend removing them until they really bother her because of general recovery, anesthetic and so on.

I've never pushed for the lumps to be tested because I trusted him. This is the vet who i asked for a 2nd opinion and saved my last staffie from a really invasive surgery in her mouth recommended by an emergency vet after she had a stick lodged in her throat and some remained deep in her throat after emergency op that they cpuldnt get to. The stick that remained turned out to be a normal bone. She was scheduled for surgery with a specialist that afternoon and his knowledge of staffie bone structure that morning prevented that unnecessary op.

Today the lump escalated. She was unsettled, she went very hot, was trying to nibble at it etc. Then she was fine after about 2 hours.

So, I googled.

I'm devastated. I'm 99% her symptoms are MCT. It all fits with the fluctuating changes in size, her nibbling at it, it getting worse, the hot/red in her skin and her being agitated probably being histamine release etc., and the other lumps being on her ear and foot, so more than one.

Shes at the vet on Monday. I know people will say to wait. But I have a very strong gut feeling about this and everything fits. Putting aside the anger I feel at the minute I'm distraught. I have actually just been physically sick and she immediately came over to me licking my hands and burrowing in for cuddles while I can't even look at her because I've let her down in the worst way imaginable. I'm supposed to care for her, and I've let this happen to her, and it may now be too late to cure her.

Is there any hope at all? Has anyone else's dog had a lump like this for ages that was a MCT and it turned out fine? Or a lump that went up and down and it was benign? Or at least fine for a few years so I just get a bit longer with her?

Please please no stories of awful outcomes i am honestly falling apart. I loved my other dog very much, but this one.....she is the animal love of my whole life.

I'm babbling on here because I can't talk to DP as I partly blame him right now. he's the one that took her most times and I am suspicious that he wouldn't have asked many questions or even told the vet the full background, so I'm also kicking myself over that.

OP posts:
Eyesopenwideawake · 16/02/2024 16:51

Please step away from Google and wait until you get a proper opinion from a fully qualified and experienced source. Your vet.

pickledandpuzzled · 16/02/2024 16:52

Don’t panic, it’s far too soon. She could have a cyst that got irritated and inflamed, might need antibiotics or might need draining.

It’s too soon to assume the worst and the vet has been trustworthy before.

💐

Original poster
Ilovecurrywednesdays · 16/02/2024 16:52

Shes now edging towards me on the sofa with her little forehead all crinkled up puzzled and snuggling into my side, she couldn't get any closer if she tried. I'm heartbroken.

OP posts:
2Old2Tango · 16/02/2024 16:57

My previous Golden Retriever was diagnosed with a MCT on the top of her head. I can't remember it growing and shrinking though. The vet removed it and I won't lie, she looked like Dr Frankenstein had created a dog afterwards. Shaved head and a brutally stitched scar that went from one ear, all the way over the top of her head and down the other side. She recovered well and once the hair grew back you'd never have known she'd had surgery. She lived several more years and died of a completely unrelated condition.

Original poster
Ilovecurrywednesdays · 16/02/2024 16:58

Shes had antibiotics previously, about 6m ago, that seemed to shrink it right down but it came back a few weeks later. he gave her another course but just said if it comes back and it's really bothering her then we can discuss removing it but if it's only upsetting her for a short period of time then he'd rather not put her through surgery etc.

At the time we agreed as it was bad enough seeing how upset she was after getting spayed, so it felt right to weigh up 1 day of agitation every now and then against surgery.

I remember asking him what would he do if it was his dog and he said he'd leave it for as long as possible.

I know I'm spiralling a bit.

OP posts:
HelpMebeok · 16/02/2024 17:00

My dog had a hard lump for a while. Just had a sample taken from in last week. It's a cyst. Nothing to worry about. Can you get your fingers all the way around it? Vey said that was a good sign. Test was £75 and took 3 days for the results to come back. Great for peace of mind.

Mynewnameis · 16/02/2024 17:02

Please don't blame your dh that's Judy very unfair. I imagine he's also worried.

Original poster
Ilovecurrywednesdays · 16/02/2024 17:03

2Old2Tango · 16/02/2024 16:57

My previous Golden Retriever was diagnosed with a MCT on the top of her head. I can't remember it growing and shrinking though. The vet removed it and I won't lie, she looked like Dr Frankenstein had created a dog afterwards. Shaved head and a brutally stitched scar that went from one ear, all the way over the top of her head and down the other side. She recovered well and once the hair grew back you'd never have known she'd had surgery. She lived several more years and died of a completely unrelated condition.

Thank you, and I'm so glad for you that it was ok. I guess you're like me and didn't care how your dog looked. They could amputate her leg, take off her ear (she has a lump on her ear too) leave her side completely bald with a 6 inch scar and she'd still be the most beautiful dog I've ever seen.

OP posts:
Original poster
Ilovecurrywednesdays · 16/02/2024 17:04

The other lumps are different tbh you can 'pick' them up off the skin and they are hard. The one on her side is bigger and flatter and softer 😔

OP posts:
Original poster
Ilovecurrywednesdays · 16/02/2024 17:07

Mynewnameis · 16/02/2024 17:02

Please don't blame your dh that's Judy very unfair. I imagine he's also worried.

I'd never say that to him tbf. I'm angry as I now remember when I asked him if he'd mentioned the one on her ear to the vet as it might be connected he said he didn't bother because "he knows that one is fine"

Hes not worried at all tbh. Hes more bothered because her getting agitated gets on his nerves.

Relationship with dp and this sort of thing is another thread.

OP posts:
pickledandpuzzled · 16/02/2024 17:07

My darling lad has a variety of lumps and bumps that seem to be appearing over night at the moment. I need to take him in. I’m hoping it’s age related lumpy old man condition! One of them does seem a bit different but I’m not going to fret until he’s seen the vet.

justasking111 · 16/02/2024 17:07

I've had a cyst on my elbow bone for a few years. Got infected once was hot, red and sore. Had antibiotics.

Fast forward to last month I had a tooth abscess lots of antibiotics, tooth extraction then more antibiotics. My cyst has vanished.

Try not to fret

Original poster
Ilovecurrywednesdays · 16/02/2024 17:09

HelpMebeok · 16/02/2024 17:00

My dog had a hard lump for a while. Just had a sample taken from in last week. It's a cyst. Nothing to worry about. Can you get your fingers all the way around it? Vey said that was a good sign. Test was £75 and took 3 days for the results to come back. Great for peace of mind.

Can get my fingers round the one on her leg and that's a perfect circle. The one on her ear also perfect circle and hard. The one on her side looks and feeks different and is the only one that bothers her.

OP posts:
pickledandpuzzled · 16/02/2024 17:10

It’s ok to be cross with him if he’s insensitive. If he’s just refusing to share your anxiety, then you have to just ignore him. He doesn’t have to worry just because you are.

I do know where you are coming from- DH under reacts, I wouldn’t leave DC with him if they were ill. But that’s about acute situations. Things like this can wait until Monday, and no need to make yourself ill with worry in the meantime.

caringcarer · 16/02/2024 17:15

I'd insist they removed all the lumps under anaesthetic. Whilst she's under they might as well take them all off. I do hope your dog will feel well again soon.

Original poster
Ilovecurrywednesdays · 16/02/2024 17:17

pickledandpuzzled · 16/02/2024 17:10

It’s ok to be cross with him if he’s insensitive. If he’s just refusing to share your anxiety, then you have to just ignore him. He doesn’t have to worry just because you are.

I do know where you are coming from- DH under reacts, I wouldn’t leave DC with him if they were ill. But that’s about acute situations. Things like this can wait until Monday, and no need to make yourself ill with worry in the meantime.

Hes more worried that our dryer has just packed in. He underreacts to what I'd consider to be serious/worthy of worry or thought things and really overreacts to silly, petty things. We can survive without a dryer for a while 🙄

OP posts:
Original poster
Ilovecurrywednesdays · 16/02/2024 17:18

caringcarer · 16/02/2024 17:15

I'd insist they removed all the lumps under anaesthetic. Whilst she's under they might as well take them all off. I do hope your dog will feel well again soon.

Oh definitely going to tell him to do that. And have her toofs a deep clean while she's under, might aswell! ☺️

OP posts:
3smallpups · 16/02/2024 17:20

Yes step away from google
If it's been there a year and a half and not progressed much in size then it's quite unlikely to be a mast cell tumour. They also rarely go up and down.
Book an earlier appointment and ask for a needle aspirate to put your mind at rest , it's non invasive and you will get the results back quickly .
Fingers crossed it's just a cyst .

HouseNoMore · 16/02/2024 17:23

My dog had one on his paw a few years ago and I too googled and everything pointed to MCT. Took him to the vet who was also concerned and biopsied it under sedation the next day. Thankfully it turned out to be nothing but a sebaceous cyst, and he's recently had another two pop up

It's so hard not to worry, but try your best not to. One step at a time

overthinkersanonnymus · 16/02/2024 17:29

We've always had Staffies in our family. They're a very lumpy dog! All of our girls and boys have had fatty, hard, itchy lumps at some point in their lives.

Just get them whipped off and then biopsies, you'll know exactly what you're dealing with this time next week x

Original poster
Ilovecurrywednesdays · 16/02/2024 17:33

3smallpups · 16/02/2024 17:20

Yes step away from google
If it's been there a year and a half and not progressed much in size then it's quite unlikely to be a mast cell tumour. They also rarely go up and down.
Book an earlier appointment and ask for a needle aspirate to put your mind at rest , it's non invasive and you will get the results back quickly .
Fingers crossed it's just a cyst .

I panicked when i read they can fluctuate in size but stopped googling when I came across a vet site that said its rare for them to spread and the outlook is usually positive. Some hope at least and what I needed to hear right now.

OP posts:
Original poster
Ilovecurrywednesdays · 16/02/2024 17:40

overthinkersanonnymus · 16/02/2024 17:29

We've always had Staffies in our family. They're a very lumpy dog! All of our girls and boys have had fatty, hard, itchy lumps at some point in their lives.

Just get them whipped off and then biopsies, you'll know exactly what you're dealing with this time next week x

That's what the vet said (when i went on one visit), staffies are lumpy little dogs but usually very hardy. He did give it a right good feel and poked about for ages tbf. Even when I said money wasn't an issue (she's insured but even if they didn't cover it, I'd have found a way) he was confident no need for further tests.

It was seeing her last night + googling symptoms that has really spooked me.

It will come as no surprise that I can be like this over my own health. When it cones to the kids I'm a lot more level headed (only saying that in case anyone thinks I'm a dick about everything, just me and the dog, because she cant tell me where its hurting so i can work out what it is....and im a quiet dick, I tell no-one my worries apart from MN)

OP posts:
Munchyseeds2 · 16/02/2024 18:37

Our last staffie had 2 mastcell lumps removed, after the 2nd one we investigated a bit and I talked to the vet about giving him daily antihistamines.
We did this for a good few years and he didn't develop any more

feelingalittlehorse · 16/02/2024 18:49

I don’t have a good tale to tell about MCT (sadly), but what I will say is the tumour that caused all the issues here certainly wasn’t there for 18months. It grew very quickly over the space of a few weeks- as in it was like one minute it wasn’t there, the next minute it was obvious just by looking at him.

You sound like a wonderful, caring and diligent owner. I feel like anything that grew that quick you would absolutely notice. Good luck with your doggy 🐾

justasking111 · 16/02/2024 18:55

Our Labrador had MCT boy did it grow fast on her mammary vet stripped one side out. Blow me if the tumour popped up on the other side so he stripped those out. She was five. Lived to 18. The tumour felt lumpy and hard like a golf ball.

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