Mast Cell Tumors

[TXLabLover]

Remove carbs from her diet and start her on a good dose of Benadryl immediately, 200 milligrams, (4 caplets). As mentioned above, Benadryl can be continued after surgery.

Sending good thoughts for your friend and her dog.

Please be sure to ask the vet before starting on Benedryl before surgery. I only say that as I have a second dog that possibly had a MCT and we were doing a test with the Benedryl to see if the mass shrunk. She (the vet) told me that if it did shrink that at that time to stop Benedryl and we would do surgery. Hopefully I said that right

[shellbell]

Speaking of benadryl....does anyone know if taking it daily can actually prevent MCTs? Tux takes it daily per vet instructions for allergies, and I always kind if wondered if this could work to prevent MCTs.

[Jeff]

Once a Mast cell is removed the dog should be fine, follow the vet orders. My sisters Presa had a fairly large one removed when she was 8. She lived to be 14, however she did have bone cancer then. So she really need to start a regular lump and bump check. I would suggest seeing if she can find a canine massage class. Great way to bond with your pet, boosts the immune system and you check for lumps and bumps at the same time.

Speaking of benadryl....does anyone know if taking it daily can actually prevent MCTs? Tux takes it daily per vet instructions for allergies, and I always kind if wondered if this could work to prevent MCTs.

As far as prevention I doubt it. Its cancer, even the healthiest people can get it any time. Antioxidants are the only known thing to help lower you risk, Berries and Broccoli then other fresh fruits and veggies and add in regular exercise best your going to do to prevent it.

[Berna]

As far as prevention I doubt it. Its cancer, even the healthiest people can get it any time. Antioxidants are the only known thing to help lower you risk, Berries and Broccoli then other fresh fruits and veggies and add in regular exercise best your going to do to prevent it.

And turmeric root.

[3ChocMom]

Thanks everyone. She is doing a lump and bump check frequently, that's the reason she took her dog in to the vet. She has a couple of lipomas and a new one recently popped up, so she was having it checked. Interestingly, the mast cell tumor had been checked once already by her previous vet and she was told it was nothing. I don't know if nothing can turn into something, or if a mistake was made, but at least the tumor has not grown at all and it is small.

Her dog is already eating a GF kibble, but I will let her know about the carbs. She was not able to get an appointment with my holistic vet, they aren't accepting new patients right now, so that's a bummer. But Brandy has an appointment next week, so I will ask her about general recommendations. I know it should be gone after it's removed, but I thought I'd heard that MCTs have a tendency to come back. Our vet did tell her to put her dog on Benadryl and she did, but I don't know if that will be continued after surgery.

[TXLabLover]

Speaking of benadryl....does anyone know if taking it daily can actually prevent MCTs? Tux takes it daily per vet instructions for allergies, and I always kind if wondered if this could work to prevent MCTs.

My vet said Benedryl was Shasta's new vitamin. She gets 1 benadryl 1x/day for the rest of her life. I don't know the specifics, but somehow it's suppose to help things. Not sure if that's prevention or just helping the cells not to go wacko. (Wacko is technical term, you know )

[LuckyLuna]

I don't mean to hijack...but how can you tell if a GF food is low-carb? Is it listed anywhere on the bag?

A few companies will list the carbohydrate percentage on the bag or on their website; but most US companies don't. European countries do more often. You can call or e-mail a company"s customer service and ask; or you can do your own approximate guesstimate.

Add together the percentages of protein, fat, moisture, fiber, and ash (generally 8-10%) and subtract that total from 100. That number should represent the carb % pretty closely. You'll find that the higher the protein and fat - the lower the carb % will be regardless of whether the food is grain-free or grain inclusive.