Mast Cell Tumor Surgery and Benadryl
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 12th, 2018
The mast cell tumor is very common in the Pug, Boxer, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Shar-Pei and other breeds. This tumor most commonly occurs in the skin as a raised, inflamed nodule or mass. Sometimes it is found internally in the liver or spleen.
The cells that make up this tumor are called mast cells. There are some unusual aspects of these cells that should be paid attention to.
First, they secrete a substance called histamine, which most have heard of in the word “antihistamine”. Histamine is released in the body during allergic reactions and it causes some nasty things. First, histamine causes inflammation, which is no fun for anyone. Redness, swelling, pain… all parts of inflammation. If you squeeze a mast cell tumor, many will create a red, swollen effect due to the histamine that gets liberated.
Histamine can cause serious harm to the body when released in larger amounts. When a dog experiences massive histamine liberation, her blood pressure can drop through the floor, causing life-threatening shock. No blood pressure, no blood getting to vitals like the brain and kidneys. Bad news.
Imagine if you were to do surgery on a mast cell tumor loaded with histamine. This is more than just squeezing it, folks. We are talking scalpel action, along with some pulling to free up the mast cell tumor. Imagine the amount of histamine that could be released.
So, it is wise to make sure your vet is on the ball. Since doing surgery on some mast cell tumors can result in shock, make sure you double check that your dog gets an injection of Benadryl before surgery. This can block the effects of massive histamine release. Also allow your vet to place an IV catheter and deliver IV fluids or meds during the procedure to keep the pressure up.
Dog cancers are all different. Each tumor in dogs behaves differently and needs it’s own special treatment.
Stay tuned!
Best to all,
Dr Dressler
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.
Hi, I’m writing from Italy. I confirm you that Masivet is available in Europe. My 4 yrs old cat has been living with mast cell tumor for a year now (and he was operated twice: the first time it was just a lump on the skin; the second time a lymph node was involved and if I hadn’t gone back to my old good veterinarian he wouldn’t probably be here anymore). I discussed with my vet the opportunity to use Masivet for my cat but he said that, at least in cats (anyway, it must be pointed out that Masivet hasn’t been approved yet for the treatment of cats) it’s not free from collateral effects (anaemia, vomiting, etc) as commonly stated. So, for now, I prefer to go on with palliative treatments and proper feeding.
Greetings to you all.
S.
Hello,
I think Masivet is only commercially available in Europe for the moment. It is supposed to be mostly well tolerated and quite efficient on some cancers.
We shall see…
A.
Hello,
I’ve read a lot about Palladia, but not much about Masivet. Do you have any information on this drug? I know it’s only available in Europe.
We have an 11-year old Ridgeback who has had MCT for almost four years. He’s had 4 surgeries and 3-4 rounds of chemo (Vinblastine). He has many tumors – fatty and mast cell – which have been holding steady on Prednisilone and Denamarin (liver support) for nearly a year. But, in the last 3 weeks or so new bumps have been emerging and old ones are coming back. I will call our oncologist here in Portland tomorrow, but I wondered if you had any insight into Masivet.
He gets Evo, grain-free, salmon oil, lots of chicken and eggs, lots of exercise (swimming is his favorite) and is in good spirits and generally full of beans. I’d like to keep it that way for as long as possible… Anything else you recommend giving him? I tried K-9 Immunity for a while, but it almost seemed to activate the tumors. We went to a holistic vet too for some time, incorporating a variety of tinctures, homeopathics and acupuncture. That didn’t seem to help.
Thanks for any advice!
My 6 y/o male Doberman had a cough so the vet took a chest xray, it shows three large masses in or around the lungs. My boy has been eating and active. The vet and I were both taken by suprise at the results of the xray. My question is where do I go from here? The cough is from the growth pressing on his treachea. I’ve ordered K-9 immunity Critical care. what can I do for his diet?
Dear Jesa,
I am sorry to hear about this. Your veterinarian should be giving you some information (referral to an oncologist, getting a diagnosis on the masses and so on.) You need to establish what this is. Some ways of doing this are getting a wash of the lungs to see if the cells can be identified in the wash. Another is using the ultrasound to guide a needle into the growths possibly. Different tumors, different treatments. You should be educating yourself about the whole cancer picture, which is too much for a single blog post, I am sorry. I would suggest you get a copy of the e-book I wrote, take some time, and read it. Sadly there are no quick and easy answers that do your question justice. As far as diet goes, consider a slow transition to nd food (prescription), or a low carb, high protein, moderate fat diet with minimal preservatives and colorants. See the blog post on mast cell tumor diets as well and histamine.
Best,
D
Dr. D,
Tonight we found a mass the size of a plum on Oreo’s chest. He is a 14 year old male English Cocker Spaniel. He is partially deaf in one ear and pretty much blind in both eyes due to cataracts. He came into our home and family approximately five years ago from a relative in pretty good health. Whatever this is does not appear to be diminishing his appetite at all, and his behaviors are normal, except that he has been unusually “whiney.” We do not have funds available for extensive treatments, but we do not just want to “put him down.”
Do you have any recommendations?
Can a Vet remove a Mast Cell Tumor on a testicle, but not neuter the dog?
Dear Dr. Dressler,
On May 2, I took my 10 yr. old lab mix to the vet for his regular check up. As the vet was checking him he found a lump in his rear that he called anal gland cancer and informed me that he needed and operation to remove it. The operation was scheduled and the vet informed me that he felt that it was successful and looked like a good out look. He sent the mass that was as big as a plum out and it was the type of cancer that he called it. My dog came home and he was fine and was his old self for a few days and I noticed that he was having trouble going up and down the stairs. The vet informed me that perhaps I should see a cancer specialist and we did. The vet did many test on my dog and concluded after she sent the biopsy out that the cancer had spread to the liver. She also added that perhaps it had spread elsewhere also. She informed that perhaps we could try chemo but felt that it might not work. The vet gave us what she perceived what might happen and informed me that we would eventually have to put him down. (devastating) I took my dog home and have proceed to make him as comfortable as possible.The vet gave us meds for my dog to take. My dog was alert, eating, barking and doing dog stuff. About a week ago I noticed that his hind legs were shaking and he dragged them. The next day he could not walk at all and has not walked since. I called the cancer vet and asked if the pain meds could do this and she informed me that she did not think so. The meds that he is taking are tramadol twice a day and Deramxx 25mg. I am in the process of taking him to a neurologist. In the mean time I have purchased a harness for his hind legs so that he can go out side and walk with our assistance. I am desperate to help him and as long as he is alert and not in pain I will not put him down. If you have any ideas I will try anything you suggest.
Thank you, from all of the postings I see that you are very knowledgeable and have compassion and understanding of the love that a human can have for a pet.
Sincerely,
Hanks, mom.
does anyone have an idea where i can purchase the new Cancer treatment drug for dogs (Palladia)
The mass has been removed it was the size of a cantelope. He is only a small dog. The vet couldnt belive the size of it! He is going great, the pathology report thinks its nephroblastoma, but they say this is an unusal case, for some reason no one can pin point this tumor? We have been told that there is 50% chance that it can spread to distant areas, but also a 50% chance that it hasnt. We are going to put him on neoplaisine as a percautin, has any one used this?
I wrote on may 12th, since then the biopsy came back and the pathologist is not 100% of what kind of tumor it is. We have had a blood and urine sample done and Yoda is doing great, nothing has spread. Surgery is in 2days and the vet is confident that he will live to at least 12yrs old, apperantley this tumor is contained to one area and will not grow back. His will lose the right kidney, but his kidney function is normal. We are very happy that our puppy can be saved!