Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Sigh ...hi everyone. As many of you know, after a July 2010 amputation, Ajax has been going strong. He had lung xrays - clean - in August, and a full checkup with his vet, including blood work, 3 weeks ago. Then 2 weeks ago, we found an icky raised red bump that we couldn't believe we had missed seeing. We took him right in, and the vet first thought it was an abcess, when that didn't prove to be true, she thought it probably was a benign histiocytoma. After the cytology came back, she said it was a mast cell tumor.
Our surgery is scheduled for Monday. I've done enough reading to know that at this point, we basically don't know anything - it completely depends on the stage, which will only be determined post surgery.
What I'm looking for is an advice about a) what to do right now (which may be nothing); and b) what to ask the vet. I assume we will only see the surgeon on Monday but will then be in touch with a pathologist and/or oncologist.
I remembered that Maggie the Pug had an MCT, and read a little there - which is making me nuts, because now I fear that every lipoma in my 9 year old Lab is really a lurking MCT. We've had most of them tested, but I'm sure we've missed some. So that is one thing I know to be aware of.
I also wonder if there are some experienced folks who could give me some questions to ask about treatment. I'm trying not to waste any time in the hopes that we have a chance to get this.
Ajax seems to feel fine - he's been a little itchy, which I chalked up to allergies because he always has them this time of year (like me!). But no nausea, loss of appetite, etc.
This is a little gross but a little funny: we put the conehead on him because he had licked it raw. It is on his hind quarter (the one that still has a leg!). So I got home last night and found that he had figured out that the sisal entry way rug, put down post amputation in order to cover the slippery floor, made an excellent scratching post that was not thwarted by the conehead. Let's just say it was a Halloween moment. Smart puppy! Sisal rug has been temporarily replaced by yoga mat.
Thanks
Kathleen
OH darnit! I'm so sorry! Ugh.
There are tons of folks here with MCT experience, but we're not pawsonally one of them. I know they can give you some insight though, so stay tuned.
And give that silly cat-dog a hug from us.....that was a pretty creative way to scratch!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Kathleen,
I'm Spirit Tri-Pug Maggie's mom- sorry if we caused you to check out each lump... welcome to my world! I can't tell you how many times I flipped Mag on her back to check out a lump on her belly, just to find it was one of her tits!
One thing I would share is that our oncologist calls mast cell tumors the most frustrating cancer she treats- it really is unpredictable.
Some things you should ask about now- if Ajax is really itchy it could be from aggravating the MCT. There is an allergic like reaction that can happen when tumors are irritated or disturbed. Ask the vet about benadryl. My pugs are always on benadryl when we deal with the tumors.
There are often stomach ulcer issues so a stomach medicine like Pepcid is given.
An ultra sound of the abdomen area is often done. Mast cell spreads most often to the lymph system, liver and spleen. The ultra sound will show the liver and spleen. If any of his lymph nodes are enlarged they can do a needle aspirate.
Ask about how the tumor will be removed. Protocol is to take WIDE margins to ensure clean margins. Mag's first tumor removal (before the amp) left a 7" scar on her side, she was only about 21" around at the chest. All the tumors I removed after the amp were done with a local anesthetic and a couple of sutures. Many reasons I went this route- including the fact that she had multiple tumors. Better results can be obtained with large resections- but it is not the only option.
Mag did chemo- you can read about it in her blog. But there are two newer drugs approved to treat MCTs- palladia, which is used for other cancers and often talked about here, and the newest called Kinivet or masitinib. I have not used either. I know Rio used kinivet without much success- but every dog and situation is different. You could PM Rio's mom Micki if you don't hear from her here. They have been battling MCTs for years.
I know how frustrating it is to be battling two cancers, you think you are doing well against one and another hits!! I'm on my second pug with multiple MCTs, I have chosen to treat her conservatively.
Hopefully the tumor will be a grade I or low II with low mitosis (indication of how active the cells are) and taking it off will end the treatment.
Feel free to PM me if you want to talk more.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Hey Kathleen,
So sorry that you now have to deal with MCT. Skyler was diagnosed with a MCT, but it was a late stage. After an ultrasound, we had to amputate her leg, to give her a chance to survive. We also did chemo weekly for 8 weeks, but the cancer was too aggressive. The cancer spread to her spleen, and there wasn't anything left to do for her....
However, my brother's dog had a MCT about 8 years ago. They removed it via surgery, and she is still alive today. So, it really does depend on the stage, etc.
Please keep us poosted on how Ajax is doing after the surgery.
Sending you lots of golden hugs,
Cathy
Thanks to both of you. Appreciate the tips for questions. So far we are just working with the surgeon, since we know we have to take it off. I am assuming the oncologist will also be available on the day or or after surgery. We know from the amp that he is in great hands - he actually loves his surgeon (obviously doesn't remember she took off his leg!).
I probably won't have any more info until late next week. I appreciate the benadryl suggestion - based on some reading, I was considering it. I'm hoping he can make it until Monday before any medication - he's annoyed but doesn't seem too miserable. He's happy to play and run and everything. Just ready to lick the second I turn my head!
Fingers crossed -
Thanks again
Kathleen
Hi Kathleen,
Sorry you are having to deal with Mast Cell on top of everything else. At this point, it's difficult to decide what to ask, as you don't know grading and staging. That really is the determining factor with treatment options.
Rio's first tumor was in her armpit -- she had the surgery, we got the results and they were somewhat ambiguous. (You can read all the gory details on our blog.) As Karen mentioned, Mast Cell is really difficult to predict. Even with the grading/staging. Not to worry you even more, but even Grade I tumors can "go south." That being said, Mast Cell is not generally a fast-moving cancer, like OSA. So don't feel like you have to make any decisions right this second.
Some things to ask -- Mitotic index. If this is high, then the cancer tends to be more aggressive. Also, you may want to have them test the c-Kit. It costs extra, but this is really good information to have if you plan to use some of the newer treatments such as Palladia and Kinavet. Palladia has an 89% effectiveness on a mutated c-Kit, but only 27% on wild type. So it's good to know ahead of time approximately how good of a chance these drugs have of working, because they are NOT cheap!
As far as checking every lump/bump... I hear you! I can't tell you how many lipomas we've had tested because I was nervous they were MCT. I wonder if there's any correlation between dogs that grow lipomas and end up with MCT.... good question to ask the onco...
Anyhow, try to breathe for now... Don't panic until the data is in! 
We'll be thinking of you and checking back in to see how you're doing. PM me if you have any specific questions...
Micki and Rio
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~ ~ Rio ~ ~ |
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