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  1. #1
    House Broken ArchieSit's Avatar
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    Could Use Some Good Mast Cell Stories...

    I noticed a weird spot/lesion on Archie's chest last week, so the vet took a scraping. She called me today -- it's a mast cell tumor. She said based on location and Archie's age (5), she's fairly optimistic that she will get it all and that will be the end of it. But ugh. Surgery is scheduled for Oct. 5th. Any advice or calming words?

  2. #2
    Senior Dog
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    I'm sorry to hear that Archie was diagnosed with a mast cell tumor..but I understand they are usually diagnosed in stages. Did your Vet mention this? Or maybe pathology determines this?

    I understand if they are caught early, and removed with a wide margin, the prognosis is good. I have no experience with this, but hopefully others will chime in.

  3. #3
    House Broken ArchieSit's Avatar
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    Yes, my vet said exactly that -- the location is relatively good, so she's hopeful that it can be removed with a wide margin. And yes, it will be sent to pathology then. Thanks for the response!

  4. #4
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    No experience but sending tons of mojo for sweet Archie.

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    ArchieSit (09-26-2018)

  6. #5
    Senior Dog smartrock's Avatar
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    I'm sorry to hear about the MCT. One of our bull mastiffs had mast cell tumors, one that was removed. Then 2 more were removed. Then when the 4th or 4th and 5th showed up, they were removed and he received chemo. They were on his torso or legs. The chemo he got wasn't IV, just oral chemo that he just got in his meals and aside from the prednisone making him pee like a racehorse, it did not affect him adversely. The tumors did not reappear after that. The tumors probably showed up when he was around 4 or 5 and he died when he was 8 of other causes. He had outlived our 2 previous bull mastiffs, though. When I was at the vet with him at one of his visits, one of the people in the waiting room assured me that she'd had 10 or more mast cell tumors removed from her dog over the years and he was doing GREAT. I'm sure she was just trying to reassure me but that seemed like a bit of hyperbole to me.

    I hope Archie's surgery goes well, that it's a low grade tumor, and no more of those nasties show up.

  7. #6
    Senior Dog Jollymolly's Avatar
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    Im sorry to Archie. Sending good thoughts and support. I have had no experience with this.

  8. #7
    House Broken ArchieSit's Avatar
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    Thanks, Smartrock. Yeah, I think my fear is more showing up. Archie has been so good to all the Guide Dog puppies who have been at our house, and he's only five. I just didn't expect this. But then, we never do, do we?

  9. #8
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    No...we never expect anything to happen to our healthy dogs...I understand that Labradors may be predisposed to Mast Cell Tumors.

    Sending only good thoughts for your boy.

  10. #9
    Senior Dog Jeff's Avatar
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    Sis has had 2 dogs with Mast Cell Tumors early in life. One lived to a ripe old age of 17, the other still going at age 12. The earlier one, funny story, she was my nephews dog. Each kid in the family plus mom and dad had a dog. He really loved her took her everywhere. She went and got her surgery, when she came home they confined her to the living room, he slepted down there to keep her company. However, boy was she mad at home, should would look at the incision, look at my nephew snort and then turn her back on him. Like this is all your fault. You took me to the vet, your to blame. She eventually got over it and snuggled with him. However it took her a couple days, she was definitely not pleased.

  11. #10
    Senior Dog Blackboy98's Avatar
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    Sorry to hear Archie has MCT, but yes on the chest is an excellent spot as the vet can easily get wide margins-and you caught it early!!

    Just remember that we will be there with you and Archie thru this ordeal and that you and he are getting our MOJO and prayers.
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