New Member looking for support for 5 yr old black lab with Mast Cell Tumor Cancer

[Roxy's Mama]

Hi everyone! My name is Roxy's Mama and I am new to this forum. I have a beautiful 5 year old English Lab named Roxy. I joined this forum at a suggestion of a good friend who has found the forum she belongs to for her cocker spaniel's invaluable. We recently found a tumor on Roxy's back neck/shoulder area that was removed and confirmed to be MCT grade 2. She is having a difficult recovery and I am looking for some help. My husband and I have always fed her a high quality grain free food but want to make sure we are giving her the best nutritional support we can at this time. We just recently moved and found a vet in the area rather quickly because we needed to have someone take a look at the tumor. The new vet has been wonderful throughout this difficult time but I don't necessarily know if I agree with their recommendations. They state that the surgery was successful and that they removed the entire tumor with clean margins and nothing else needs to be done. But, from everything that I've read grade 2 MCT can be difficult to treat and can lead to metastasis if further testing is not done. I don't know if we should just take their word for it or if we should be looking to get a second opinion from an actual vet oncologist. If anyone has experience dealing with MCT or has any suggestions or additional information regarding this topic that would be great! Additionally, we would like to boost her immune system and provide the best nutrition support possible. I have begun researching feeding a homemade cooked diet, but I would like to do some more research and get more comfortable with how much and the types of food and supplements I should be feeding her before we begin. My goal is obviously to help her so I want to be sure that I am not doing more harm than good. Thank you for any input in advance!! If anyone knows of any useful information t

[smartrock]

We had a bullmastiff years ago that had mast cell disease. With the first tumor, since the margins were clean, they said nothing more needed to be done at that time. After 2 more tumors were found and removed, we did chemo. At that time, the chemo was all oral, we had to get it at a compounding pharmacy. It didn't seem to have any bad side effects, Teddy would eat and act the way he always had. Unfortunately, this was maybe 15 years ago and I'm guessing things have changed now. I do remember some lady in the waiting room at the vet's saying they'd had "about 10" MCTs removed over a period of years and their dog was doing just fine. That sounded suspicious to me, but what do I know? Teddy died when he was 8 from other causes, 2-3 years after having the chemo with no further appearance of MCTs that were outwardly evident. While that seems young, our first 2 bullmastiffs died at ages 6 and 7. We were in NC at the time and the vets at NCSU were consulted by our general vet regarding treatment. Here (below) is what they have on their website now regarding MCTs.

I'm sorry I know nothing about the best thing to feed your pup. Several people on here do homemade, just be sure to find out what vitamins and/or minerals need to be supplemented. I think a veterinary nutritionist or holistic vet is often consulted for this type info. Maybe a veterinary oncologist consult would at least make you more confident in your choice of treatment.

Oncology - Mast Cell Tumors in Dogs :: North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine