Staffyluv

Jedda, what was the grading of her MCT? It can make a huge difference. Did they remove the tumour(s), is the cancer systemic? Has she had chemo? Mast cell tumors are graded as follows: Grade I (well-differentiated) Grade II (moderately-differentiated) Grade III (poorly-differentiated) MCT release histhamine and a host of other chemiclas that can cause a range of problems from stomach ulcers, internal bleeding and other allergy manifestations (maybe your absesses) Ollie has MCT grade 2 but when the lumps were removed, they could not get clear margins and it has already invaded his lymph system (lymph biopsy at the same time)... Grade 2 can act like a grade 1 or a grade 3 - we have been very lucky and his seems to be more like a grade 1. Ollie was treated with chemo for 6 months as well as being holistically treated (his diet was modified to remove as many carbs as possible as carbs feeds cancer). I would suggest a trip to an holistic vet to get the supplements in order - this can make a huge difference. Ollie started with lymphodran and another one called AntiOx something or other. Plus fish oil, high doses of vitamin C - 1000mg a day (fantastic tonic for all sick dogs) - when he was really sick, he went into hospital and they gave him Vit C via a drip overnight. He came out the next morning like there was nothing wrong with him. His diet is mainly light meats (turkey, chicken with some beef and kidney and he loves fresh tuna steaks), he has yoghurt, cottage cheese with flax oil too). Has your vet done a full blood screen lately? We have one about every 6 months now. They check liver and kidney function as well as look to see if there are any active MC's Some skin infections can resemble mast cell tumors because both may cause raised, reddened, ulcerated or bleeding mass-like lesions in the skin. Maybe the absess is not related to the MCT at all??? Wishing you heaps of luck - it is a hard road we travel with these dogs some days.

Thanks Wolfgirl - I am so happy he is still here too...

Tumours are no more aggressive in younger dogs than they are in older dogs - so don't worry until there is something to worry about (I know it is easier said than done)... The way a tumour acts will depend on what type of tumour it is and what grade (there are so many cancers and non malignant tumours that it could be if it is a tumour). My boy has Mast Cell Tumours (MCT) grade 2 (not curable) but as a grade 2 it can act like a grade 1 or a grade 3. Touch wood, it is acting like a grade 1 and although his cancer is systemic, he is not getting any worse because of it. He still has the tumours that could not be removed before chemo but they don't do much these days. Some tumours will weep and can become ulcerated and infected if left without treatment but then so can a lot of other things. Grass seeds can imbed themselves and then if not removed become infected and produce just what you have described. The same could happen with a bit of stick being stuck in there or glass, actually any foreign object. My sisters dog had a piece of stick stuck in his neck and it became pussy and had to be removed surgically. I am sure the vet is onto it and will let you know as soon as they can - stay calm and like I said, no point worrying over something that is not confirmed yet. However most vets that I know are reluctant to use the 'tumour or cancer' words (because they do tend to frighten people) until there is confirmation of such - even our vet used to say that he would aspirate the 'lump' not the tumour... Best of luck

So sorry for your loss RIP Seth

Oh thanks Helen - he had a nice day and was spoilt more than usual... He is a bit flat today - I am sure tomorrow he will be back to normal. I have noticed he gets a bit flat if he can't go for a walk, so I need to make sure he gets out every day, even if it is raining and cold and I don't want to go...

As far as diet is concerned if you stick with the general rule that carbs feed cancer, then you are on the right track. Canine cancer diet another link We use human grade food, turkey, chicken, beef... Plus I add good quality veg to shake it up for him, sweet potato, zucchini, pumpkin etc... He used to have roo as well but the chemo did cause problems with his thyroid gland and his stomach has ended up with problems. He also gets cottage cheese with flax oil on it - just a tablespoon of cheese and teaspoon of flax, helps his tummy and is really good for them. Ollies tumour was the same - they thought it was a fatty lipoma at first and said not to worry but then it looked like it formed a point under the skin (because it was small and hard like a pea under the skin and did not move with the skin), they decided to do an aspirate and it came back with MCT - no clear margins on exicision and there were multiple tumour sites... He is on carafate (lines the stomach) and thyroxine for the rest of his days. We believe the chemo damaged his thyroid gland. We aslo used lymphodran to help support his lymph system when he was on chemo. There are lots of support supplements out there - vitamin C is one of the best tonics in the world for all dogs but especially beneficial to cancer dogs - Ollie has 1000mg a day. I know what you mean about the toxicity of these drugs - however, I refused to limit his quality of life because we did not know how long he was going to be with us. If he wanted to, we still went for walks. I had heard that I should not take him out to the park because of the toxicity of the drugs he was on and that his immune system was compromised but when I asked the oncologist about this, he said it was fine (we were not going to poison the ground if he went to the toilet) and that if Ollie wanted to go for a walk, to take him... You will hear all sorts of rumours surrounding the drugs you need to use and you will also get those silly people who say 'how can you put a dog through chemo - it is hard enough for people?'... Dogs can't have chemo at the levels that humans do because they can't have a bone marrow transplant when the chemo bombs their whole system, as it does in humans - all chemo will do for dogs is extend their life expectancy, it is not a cure in dogs. They don't get sick like people do and they don't lose all their hair like humans do. That said, a couple of times Ollie had a flat few days where he just wanted to lay around or seemed to be ill and he lost the fur on his legs where they used to shave it for the drip and he also lost the hair on his tail. This has all grown back. He is now 3 years and 8 months post dxd and anyone that knows him, still can't believe how well he looks and is... All the best and I am happy to answer any questions you might have if I can...

Pandii get it aspirated - nothing like those two little word - fatty lipoma... You can never be too sure and the alternative is very expensive (take it from one who knows)...

This was not the drug used to treat Ollie either but I can tell you that vets don't give dogs the same dosage they would if they were human, so it is very controlled. They rarely lose hair or get sick with chemo because the vets can't use massive doses like doctors do with people as vets don't have the luxury of a bone marrow transplant like doctors do with humans. If you are in doubt seek a secone opinion - we did. We contacted an holistic therapist who looked at Ollies results and told us that they could help keep him well while he was going through chemo...and that our canine oncologist of choice was one of the best - makes you feel good when the secone opinion backs up the first suggestions. Who is your canine oncologist? We used Dr Rod Straw in Brisbane - one of the leading oncologists in the country. The protocol we used was vinblastin and vincristine (spelling??) based... two weeks on (one intravenous and one week tablets) and one week no treatment, then back to 2 weeks treatment - for 6 months... Wishing you all the best...

RIP Diva, how very sad to leave at such a young age...

Yes. Thanks PF - wonderful crew up there... Can't praise them enough for what they have done for us over the years And all via telephone conversations etc? i feel so good right now. This is very promising for me and my little one Did it work out very expensive? Yes all via phone - they were just great. Helped with diet and supplements and also offered some anti cancer supplements as well. I originally wanted something to help keep him well when he was going through chemo but ended up with so much more assistance - was fantastic. No cancer treatment is 'cheap', so yes it was expensive but certainly no more than my conventional vets fees with his treatment... They did have access to all of Ollie's results from all the tests done by my vet - he used to fax them and the reports and advice from the oncologist too.

Yes. Thanks PF - wonderful crew up there... Can't praise them enough for what they have done for us over the years

Our 12 year old stafford just had a toe removed due to cancer (he has MCT)... I am sure there are a couple of different types of anaesthetic - I request that the better one (which is moderately more expensive than the other) be used because he wakes up so much quicker and better from it - no real grogginess and is usually back to normal within hours, not days... Best of luck - it is always hard to make these decisions. But if you are like me, you will trust your vet to do the best thing by the dog.

Is that Barbara from all Natural Vet Care in Russell Lea? (sorry can't remember her last name) If so I have had the good fortune to speak with her a few times but mostly dealt with Sue (who I believe has moved on)... Ollie was treated for Mast Cell Cancer - our vet used to send all reports to the ladies up there (we are in Canberra) and they would talk to me via phone and treat Ollie by sending him what he needed to help him through the chemo and keep him well... He is still here more than 3 years post dxd and they originally said he would onl live 12-18 months...

Thank you to everyone for the birthday wishes, he had a nice day (had walks, cake and a new toy to destroy - evey staffords dream day) and we have our fingers crossed that it won't be the last

Happy Birthday old man - 12 years old today... All the kids will be home on Sunday night and he is having steak and kidney - his fave but he does not get it much anymore as it is a bit rich for his tummy these days, but a little on his birthday won't hurt. I am going out to find some poor stuffed toy that he can demolish for his birthday later today... I can't believe I am so lucky enough to still have the company of this dog - he is nothing short of amazing. Diagnosed in late 2008 with grade 2 MCT, no clear margins and multiple tumour sites - well we are just very lucky, or he has a guardian angel... Just wanted to share with you all today.

Diet can play a big part in pancreatitis... Very low fat is vitally important to reduce the chance of a flare up. My old boy has cancer and as an aside from all the meds etc, lots of other issues are coming to the fore now - pancreatic problems are one of them. He had an 'episode' a while back and we have since removed as much fat from his diet as possible. Low fat meats like roo, tuna, chicken and turkey are now the mainstay of his diet. He has some veg added and he has fish oil capsules to add back some fat and other reasons. He gets cottage cheese and yoghurt as well.

Sounds like oxalate crystals - they can and do form into stones if left untreated... If you can get him to wee on a piece of paper, then let it dry in the sun, you will see that crystals form on the paper as the wee dries... Chances for stones in the kidneys or bladder are pretty high if his urine is already has the crystals... I have a stafford here that had the same problem - oxalate stones and you could see the crystals on the paper test..

Do your vet friends know how you have lambasted them on a public forum, poodie? I cant see you retaining the friendship for long if they do, unless they accept the fact that you take grumpy pills for breakfast lunch and dinner every day. They're equine vets and have a good sense of humor. Most of the time they have their arm up the back side of horse so they don't have a lot of friends. If I go into a shop with them for lunch around mare testing season we usually get plenty of space Equine vets are worse than small animal vets - they charge hundreds just to come out to look at the horse...

With the machanics bill you have some way of finding out if you was ripped-off(Fair Trading) at the vets 'S -UP Not true I am afraid - I have had a service and been charged for filter changes but at the next service at my usual mechanic they needed to be changed. Since then, I always require that all old stuff be left in the crate in the back (in a garbage bag) so I can see it has been done. Anyone can rip you off if they so desire but I like to believe that most are honest... Vets like all businesses are running a business to make a profit - yes they all love animals and do it for the animals but ultimately they are in it to make money just like the rest of us and are entitled to do so. Mmm have to agree caff - I keep coming back to see what is new

Considering that vets don't have the buying power of chemists they can really charge what they like. But IMO don't need to disclose any markup - they are running a business for profit. Our old boy has cancer and after chemo needed some human medicines to help him, so as they were long term meds, the vet gave us a prescription for the chemist and we get them at the chemist prices, instead of what the vet needs to charge. You could always ask for a script for the chemist and see if they give you one if you think they are charging you too much.

Geez Pandii, I only just saw this - I am so very sorry... rest in peace big man

Nell I am so sorry to hear that his lymphoma has returned - it is an ongoing fight to keep them well. Chemo is a good thing. I know Ollie did fairly well on it and it has bought him lots more time than originally thought. He is treated holistically as well though - All Natural Vet Care in Sydney - we liaise via phone and my vet sends them Ollies test results when needed. The side effects from chemo should be very little, maybe a bit flat a day or two after the procedure was all Ollie ever really had and a bit of hair loss where they put the drip in. I hope that Jasper breezes through his chemo. Wishing you both all the best Jodie

Great pics and I am sure that Fred will land soundly no his feet, no matter what the outcome of the pathology. My old boy is a testament to beating MCT and how they can live long and way beyond what is expected. I think I told you he has MCT 2 with no clear margins and multiple tumour sites and it had invaded his lymph system - they gave us 12-18 months and that was well over 3.5 years ago now. Still have everything crossed for Fred and a good outcome.

It will get easier and easier as the days go on - the first few days after such a big op are very hard on the dog as well as the people who love them. He is a gorgeous boy and we are all sending positive vibes for a good result for him. Glad to hear that he is starting to get a bit better.

It is a bit of a shock when you first see them after such a big op. How many stitches did he end up with. My poor old man had just over 50 stitches at 3 tumour sites for his first MCT removal (sadly we did not get clear margins even with a second op on the biggest tumour site)... Poor boy, he will bounce back quicker than you can believe... I hope he is feeling a bit happier today and good luck for clear margins - I have everything crossed for you.