Diet for Dogs With Mast Cell Tumors
Dr. Demian Dressler is internationally recognized as “the dog cancer vet” because of his innovations in the field of dog cancer management, and the popularity of his blog here at Dog Cancer Blog. The owner of South Shore Veterinary Care, a full-service veterinary hospital in Maui, Hawaii, Dr. Dressler studied Animal Physiology and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California at Davis before earning his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. After practicing at Killewald Animal Hospital in Amherst, New York, he returned to his home state, Hawaii, to practice at the East Honolulu Pet Hospital before heading home to Maui to open his own hospital. Dr. Dressler consults both dog lovers and veterinary professionals, and is sought after as a speaker on topics ranging from the links between lifestyle choices and disease, nutrition and cancer, and animal ethics. His television appearances include “Ask the Vet” segments on local news programs. He is the author of The Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Full Spectrum Treatments to Optimize Your Dog’s Life Quality and Longevity. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Avian Veterinarians, the National Animal Supplement Council and CORE (Comparative Orthopedic Research Evaluation). He is also an advisory board member for Pacific Primate Sanctuary.
Updated: December 6th, 2019
Friends,
Today’s post will likely be met with some skepticism from those immersed (and confined) to our Western medical approach. So if this is your framework, please keep an open mind. You will be pleased to know that the information here is taken from little known, but still Western, data banks.
I have recently been looking into some ways of decreasing some of the horrible effects of severe mast cell tumors in dogs. Lots of talk these days about Palladia, but there is more you can do!
As many of you are well aware, these cancers are able to release, on an intermittent basis, large amounts of chemical signals that produce nasty effects on the body. There are many different ones, and to avoid being utterly dull, here are just a few: histamine, substance P, and heparin.
The one which we have traditionally focused on is histamine. Histamine is the same stuff that our bodies, and those of our canine companions, release during an allergic reaction.
It does bad things like create swelling, redness, pain, blood pressure changes, vomiting, loss of appetite, acid stomach, and more.
Much of the sickness that dogs afflicted with mast cell tumors suffer from is caused by histamine excess.
Some focus has been placed on blocking the effects of histamine with various medications. However, very little has been placed on cutting off the body’s supply of histamine.
This is an intriguing and quite novel approach to dealing with histamine excess, and to my knowledge has not been tried in dogs. So here’s the info…give it a try, see if it helps the dog you love, and let our community know!
The basic story is you cut out foods that eventually end up increasing active histamine levels, by hook or by crook. Now, most of you know that carbohydrate restriction is important is helping with cancer generally. I discuss details of the dog cancer diet at length in the e-book, The Dog Cancer Survival Guide.
For more helpful tools and information, get a copy of the Dog Cancer Survival Guide
Here’s a new twist for those caring for a dog with a mast cell tumor diagnosis, especially the more aggressive ones (Grade 2 and 3).
Turns out there is some cutting edge new research going on in human medicine about ways to combat digestive upset, depression, anxiety, allergies, asthma, and more. Many cases of these syndromes involve excessive histamine effects in the body. There are very few diseases like mast cell tumors in people, but we humans do suffer from a close relative of mast cell tumors called systemic mastocytosis.
Anyway, those in the inner circle promote cutting off the wellspring of histamine in the body by simply not eating foods that promote histamine levels. Why not use a similar approach for dogs with mast cell tumors, another condition with histamine excess?
The biggies are those foods that are fermented as a part of processing. Dogs usually don’t eat or drink a lot of those (drinks with alcohol, the more “moldy” of the cheeses like blue, sauerkraut, and vinegar).
But…. there are some out there who feed their dogs tofu. Be careful! Practically speaking, tofu could be viewed as a histamine brick.
Another big no-no, if one were using this approach, is fish! Bacteria in the intestine of fish are quite busy making a lot of histamine, and levels rise after the fish passes away (but before the remains are gutted for food).
To learn more about Mast Cell Tumors, diet, and treatment options, get a copy of this seminar!
Dyes in food and the benzoates (BHT, BHA, sodium benzoate, benzoic acid) are also excluded from the diet. Read those labels!
Note that the items on the restricted list not only contain histamine, but also are more prone to causing mast cells to release their illness-causing histamine reserves. This only matters if there is a large mast cell burden (lots of tumor cells in the body) and we are wanting to lessen histamine release. In addition, this is all extrapolated from human information. The inappropriate human foods should be excluded from the dog diet even if the list says they are “ok”.
I hope this helps-
Best,
Dr D
Dr. Demian Dressler is internationally recognized as “the dog cancer vet” because of his innovations in the field of dog cancer management, and the popularity of his blog here at Dog Cancer Blog. The owner of South Shore Veterinary Care, a full-service veterinary hospital in Maui, Hawaii, Dr. Dressler studied Animal Physiology and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California at Davis before earning his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. After practicing at Killewald Animal Hospital in Amherst, New York, he returned to his home state, Hawaii, to practice at the East Honolulu Pet Hospital before heading home to Maui to open his own hospital. Dr. Dressler consults both dog lovers and veterinary professionals, and is sought after as a speaker on topics ranging from the links between lifestyle choices and disease, nutrition and cancer, and animal ethics. His television appearances include “Ask the Vet” segments on local news programs. He is the author of The Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Full Spectrum Treatments to Optimize Your Dog’s Life Quality and Longevity. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Avian Veterinarians, the National Animal Supplement Council and CORE (Comparative Orthopedic Research Evaluation). He is also an advisory board member for Pacific Primate Sanctuary.
My 9 yr old Maltese had an abdominal MCT removed last week. Most of the info I find is regarding skin MCT. Presley is already on a raw food diet that includes lots of cruciferous veggies, brown rice and raw chicken necks. He is now on prednisone. What other therapies should I explore?
Hi Doc Dressler,
Help, I have a major problem with my dog. He has 2 mast cell tumors on his belly the size of hard balls. The one grew in a matter of weeks. Took him to the vet. The one started oozing & had 2 holes in it. It looked really red. The other just looked like a tumor. The vet gave him prednisolone, famodine (acid-reducer) and benedryl. He has been on the combo for almost 3 weeks. He was doing okay then he got into something he shouldn’t have eaten. It took 2 days of throwing up to get it all out of him and he seemed to be back on track.
I left him for a few hours and when I came home, he was all bloody. He started eating the 2 nd tumor. I think that’s why the first one started oozing too. I cleaned it off, put a pad over it and wraps around his torso. What is going on with him? It’s freaking me out. He’s mostly down for the count, what with all the benedryl (9 caps daily), I have a victorian collar for him, which I will use on him when I’m not around, but I don’t know where this behavior came from, and it’s gotta be painful. Do you have any recommendations? I’m feeding him ground turkey & oatmeal with veggies in it. He was eating cottage cheese, but doesn’t want that either. I’ve been giving him fish oil caps 2-6 daily (don’t want him throwing up any more) and a little slightly cooked liver. I don’t know what else to do, but carry on…are the meds making him behave like this?
Thanks for any help you can give me.
Gin
Dear Gin,
my feeling is that these tumors should be removed. Unfortunately, surgery is still one of the most effective ways we have of removing cancer cells, even if it is a bit primitive. I hope you can get these tumors excised, with appropriate follow up therapy. An oncologist consult would be a good idea too!
Best,
Dr D
Hi
I’m finding the website incredibly helpful in regards to diet, but I’d really like some advice about diagnosis.
I have an approximately 16 year old Irish Setter, I’ve had him for only about six years (he was a ‘rescue’ dog, and he was approx ten years when I was priveliged enough to adopt him.) He started to develop a ‘growth’ above his right eye about three years ago. I was originally told by the vet that it was cyst, and could be removed, but that I would have to be aware of the risks that he might lose the sight in that eye, might not survive the op, and indeed for them to do the op they would have to do a pre op check. All of which started to run into thousands. At the time the growth only bothered me, he seemed largely unaware of it, and it certainly wasn’t affecting his quality of life. Three years later, it is significantly bigger, and we’re now talking about a tumour. He is still a very happy and relatively lively dog, and I think doing well for a 16 yr old setter. However the tumour is now ulcerated, and I must be honest the smell from this tumour is absolutely vile. I’ve tried bathing it, but that seemed to make things worse.
I called the vet today and was told that there was little they could do apart from surgery, as Antibiotics will work for only so long, and at my suggestion of Antihistamine treatment, that it would be purely hypothetical as they would need a pathologist report to diagnose a mast cell tumour. I’m assuming from their response that the only way to get a pathologist report is to do surgery.
He’s at least sixteen, with a heart murmur, and I really don’t want to run the risk of losing him now,and paying several hundreds of pounds for the sake of an odour.
He clearly finds the tumour uncomfortable at times, as I’ll sometimes see him scratching it, but for the most part, he’s happy and just wants his food, company and walks.
I’m really gutted to be given options of :
Have surgery and take the chance
Don’t have surgery and deal with the smell
Have him Euthanised
Are Anti histamines terribly bad? Would it not be a good idea to prescribe a course of them to see if there was any improvement? I am a little bit staggered that I’ve been left with no realistic options.
(I’m in the UK if you hadn’t already realised!!)
Thanks
Dear Addie,
One of the things discussed in the Dog Cancer Survival Guide is pureeing the food. This would be a thought for your dog- make a smoothie out of the food to help it pass. Of course, your vet needs to be in on this decision as he or she knows the details of your loved dog.
Best,
Dr D
Hello,
I have read over the materials in your free e-book sample, which I found to be very helpful. I have an unusual question, however, that I feel certain will not be addressed in the book itself, and am hoping to have it answered here by Dr. Dressler.
I have an 8 year-old very active Boston Terrier/Pug mix who had a small mast cell tumor recently diagnosed. It’s just above his tail on his back and in two days, he’s going to have it removed surgically. I would like to begin cooking his food at home; however, he has had two previous intestinal surgeries due to ingestion of certain impassable objects and as a result, his intestines are far smaller than they used to be. I was told by my vet after his last surgery a year ago that I should never feed him “vegetable matter” or home-cooked grains because of the potential for them to get stuck in his gut. I’ve considered pulverizing oatmeal or brown rice before cooking it, but I’m not even sure this would be safe…and of course I’m nervous about taking such a risk considering that I can’t continue to pay for additional surgeries!
Any ideas you have as to how I might adapt your diet to his situation would be enormously appreciated.
Thanks so much.
Best Regards,
Addie
Please help! I need direction.
My precious 10 lb. chihuahua had a thyroid carcinoma removed in July of 2008. He also had radiation on remaining portion because it was through vessel. I was told then chemo would not work. I just found out that he has advanced lung tumors and that it would have worked by different vet.
In all, he is still active, great appetite, however the gagging on and off is so upsetting and he has always had allergies and basically lived on benadryl and chlor trimeton.
For some reason everytime I brought him to get checked he got a clean bill of health and sent home. I don’t understand how his lungs could have sounded clear, and never thought necessary to get x-ray due to his symptoms were most likely due to collapsing trachea.
Is there anything I can do? IIs it too late? I have him on shark cartilage, kyolic and selenium now. He used to be on K9 Immunity which I thought really helped.
Thank you for any advice or direction, I would be so extremely grateful. I am and will be lost without him. He is truly loved as a child.
Dear Ellen,
The first part of your question is answered here:
https://www.dogcancerblog.com/blog/signs-of-dog-cancer-and-decompensation/
Read more here:
https://www.dogcancerblog.com/blog/my-dog-is-acting-fineand-got-diagnosed-with-cancer/
I wonder about the supplements. You may be able to improve in this department. The formula I put together for dogs under my care, discussed in the Dog Cancer Survival Guide, is now available here. This was the end result of massive research and you may want to consider it.
Stay in touch,
Best,
Dr D
Hello all
I have no idea about blogs and I do not even know if I am doing this correctly. Maybe some one who has can help me out and post this in the correct area. I am a bit stressed at the moment.
I have a 2 year old male Golden retriever.
He had a small growth removed from his little toe on his hind leg. 2 months ago
It was a Mast 2 tumor grade 6 with clear margins.
I just discovered this morning he has a swollen leg and it is painful just thought it was to much running at the beach the night before.
Off to the vet, they said it was a enlarged lymph node did a needle test and came back with tumor cells in it.
I am devastated not sure what to tell my 5 year old who loves him so much.
I am in a state of panic so if someone can please put me in the right direction I would be extremely grateful.
I have bought the PDF book but I need to get it printed tomorrow.
Please help
David
HI Dr. D.
My 12.5 year old miniature pinscher has Grade 3 Mast cell tumours. She had 5 removed and now lots have come back. I am trying whatever I can to keep her happy. I cannot afford Chemo, nor radiation. I have JUST started her on the diet and she eats it well. I would love any info that I can do to ease the lumps appearing. She has been licking and chewing at them. She is also on Benedryl 12.5 mg 3x a day to ease the itch from histamine. I am fearful I won’t get to help enough before it is too late. She is loving walking still and eating is not an issue.
Geoff
Geoff:
a consideration that may help:
https://www.dogcancerblog.com/blog/neoplasene-as-a-dog-cancer-treatment/
Do NOT call Dr. Buck directly as he can get a wee bit crabby with laypeople. Your vet must do it. Hope it helps!
Best,
Dr D
Recently our Scottish Terrier- Maggie, passed away aged nearly 15..
9 mths previously she was CAT scanned following a biopsy which essentially confirmed that secondary cancer was sited in a liver node.
At this point she was not a well unit…had trouble getting her head down to her food bowl, and had quite a bad breath.
After consulting a surgeon we decided to not risk an operation but to rather attempt a palliative treatment regime which would support what good liver function remained.
To that end, we had remarkable success and we shared another 9 reasonably happy months with her.
While I can’t detail here all the “tricks” we tried..the essential strategy for helping your dog in this situation is to be prepared to alternatively move from protein rich food to carbs and back again, and note how your dogs responds. I our case, Maggie had largely rejected dried dog food herself so we moved onto small but frequent meals of low fat cooked meat/mince, mashed cooked egg, cooked mashed potatoe/carrots, linseed oil, a little white raw lamb fat, a little cooked rice, cottage cheese and a few other different “human” foods.
The impact of this changed diet was nothing short of miraculous..her bad breath disappeared, the head wobbles were fixed and we only had one or two occasions where she didn’t hold her food down.
Our experience with Maggie’s condition did illustrate that diet plays a substantial part in supporting a dog living with liver cancer
Bruce,
I thank you for your input. Nothing like experience from the real world that can help others in similar situations. Thanks!
Dr D
Dear Dr D.
My 10 year old Standard Poodle neutered has been dx with mast cell tumour and is awaiting referral to VRCC Essex UK. I am interested to cut out carbohydrates from his diet. Can I feed him fresh meat daily?
I take it no veg at all any more and can I continue giving him salmon oil on his daily meal? I have known that flax seed oil is very good and will get him some if you feel this will work for him. I am so grateful for any advice.