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 Dr Dressler! I’m writing to you because I’m so afraid!! My dear 14 years female Pittbul almost one year ago was affected by Dermodex and since this time, over her ear flap she has a small tumor that on the beginner the vet that has accompanied her thought that was only a simple abscess without any malignancy. After we ask so much, one month ago he made a valuation of the abscess and so we had the knowledge that she has a mast cell tumor. I need to decide what to do!! Should I removed all ear or only the tumor at first moment to evaluate what is the grade??? She also had breast cancer three years ago and we did total mastectomy. If you can help me I’ll be so grateful! I love her so much and I want to do the best to her! Since now thanks!
Hello Tatiana,
Not Dr. Dressler here, but I hope I can help.
It’s important to get very clean margins with MCT (well, with any cancer too). and the ear is often a pretty good place to be able to do this. Depending upon the location, your vet may be able to get enough tissue to really take that MCT, and if there has been no spread (metastasis) in other parts ofthe body it’s even better news. Might your dog lose a good part of the ear, or even all the ear? Well, possibly. But she’s got two 🙂 and I promise she won’t be bothered at all if she looks a little lop-sided. She’ll just be happy to feel good! We humans get kind of queasy with taking off body parts. Dogs don’t mind at all. If you have a smaller surgery to determine the grade, you will very likely be looking at a second surgery to have the entire MCT removed… double surgery, double sedation, double expense. You can talk this through with your vet and weigh the pros and cons. One thing for certain, if a cancer can be cut out completely there is a much better chance of winning the fight.
Please don’t focus on fear. It does nothing to help either you or your dog. Instead, channel that energy into determination to get through this! Good luck, and give that girl a big hug from all of us on the team.
Angela,
Sorry to hear about your Rottweiler, and I’m glad you have an oncologist to work with. They really are the experts in veterinary cancer. It wouldn’t be appropriate to try to offer treatment options for your boy, but if you feel that the protocol offered needs to be questioned, by all means question it. Has your oncologist told you why he or she doesn’t want to use Preds with Masivet? There will be a reason. If that reason doesn’t satisfy you, please do ask to get a second opinion. It’s within your rights, and no one knows your dog better than you do. Ultimately, his treatment is your decision.So, take your questions and any data you have found to your oncologist, or request an appt to go over these details. You need to feel, in your heart, that the steps you take now for your dog are the best ones to take. Please make sure your boy is on the best nutrition. You can download the Dog Cancer Diet (www.dogcancerdiet.com) and further modify that with the blog we wrote on nutrition for dogs with MCT https://www.dogcancerblog.com/blog/food-and-nutrition-for-dogs-with-mast-cell-tumors/ Give your boy a big, rotty cuddle from all of us, and good luck.
Hi my Rottweiler aged 3 has had mast cell tumor grade 2 removed from hind leg – it has spread to lymp nodes , he has been prescribed masivet but my oncologist said no to prednisone , I thought to give my dog the best chance of survival it should be taken together ? Can you please help
Hi my dog Jack is a 10 year old boxer, and has what I am sure is a tumor in his nose it has been I believe a little over a month and it started small about a marble when I first noticed it and now about the size of a kiwi he is rubbing it and then bleeds some and some clearish yellowish ooze not alot but I dab it off and put neosporin on it. I also heard that tumric is an anti flamitory, so I have been making rice with it and giving him that I want badly to take him to the vet but I can’t afford even just the visit right now. I just went through breast cancer with my girl boxer that lost her battle 3 yrs ago. Would or can I give him anything like benadryl or anything. I havebeen looking for help but most all say they need a vet to verify, I am going to try some fund raising. I am just miserable watching him and this thing take over his face and now very close to his eye very close, I know he hates it and can’t imagine what he is really going through.
my vet told me to give Benadryl. I also read to switch them to a grain free healthy diet and I am now going to start giving Raspex. Read about it, there is a lot of info out there. hopefully all the above will avoid surgery
My dog, a 10 year old, 64 pound male boxer, is scheduled for surgery next Thursday to remove a mast cell tumor on his side. Over the phone yesterday, I heard my vet recommend 75 mg of Benadryl 3x a day prior to the surgery. Based on the the human dosage on the box of Benadryl, this seems like too much, but perhaps is correct based upon the circumstances. My vet is out of town, her assistant is not in the office today, the pharmacist at the vet gave a confusing answer, as I am sure the message delivered did not contain all the relevant details and I have left a message for another vet to confirm, but haven’t heard back. Would this dosage seem reasonable for a 64 pound dog, prior to surgery?
We have a beautiful 6 year old rescue goldendoodle-we discovered a MCT on his back paw which was removed in surgery and was malignant. However, because of where it was, no clean margins. No spread/nothing in lymph nodes or anywhere else in body. Our pup has an extremely sensitive stomach and tends to get very nervous easily. He didn’t do well under anesthesia when the tumor was removed. After visiting with the oncologist, we have decided to do another surgery to remove the part of the paw where the tumor was….the thought of doing 18-20 radiation sessions with him is frightening. Any thoughts on this course? the oncologist thinks we have a 90% (Yes, he said it) chance to getting the margins. thank you.
Hi Janie
If the onc things you have a 90% chance, i would go for it. I’d also read this post:
https://www.dogcancerblog.com/blog/what-is-treatment-plan-analysis/
I hope this helps
Dr D
MY DOG BENGY AS MASS TUMORS GROWING ON HIM. SO FAR I FOUND FOUR OF THEM. I DONT HAVE THE MONEY FOR ALL KIND OF TREATMENTS. HE IS MY BEST FRIENDS. AT THE MOMENT HE EATS WELL. HE LOVES LIFE. CAN HE STILL HAVE A CHANCE AT LIFE. WITHOUT OPERATIONS.
Hi – my 15 year old standard schnauzer Millie had a growth removed (clear margins) from her perinium which was diagnosed as a Grade 3 mast cell tumour. We started her on chemo (Vinblastine) but have since found it it was wrongly diagnosed and now 2 NEW pathologists have described it as a low level neoplasm AND as a Grade 2. Does this mean this is a low level Grade 2?? – the vets here in NZ are not giving me much info including the specialist we are seeing. We are still doing the chemo but had previously (when we thought it was a Grade 3) intended to use Palladia after the chemo. An ultrasound has shown no spread anywhere else. Do you think we need to put her on Palladia as well. I don’t care about the cost but worry about the Palladia side effects – but of course I don’t want to take any risks that the cancer will come back/spread. She is very fit and healthy and has had no side effects after increased doses of Vinblastine each time. I really would like to know what a “low level neoplasm, Grade 2” means. Thanks for any advice you can give me, it would be very much appreciated. I have been googling but am going around in circles.
My boxer had a Grade II MCT removed from her back two weeks ago. They had to cut some muscle to get to it. The doctor wasn’t able to entirely get clean margins. Two days after surgery the location swelled to the size of an orange. Took her back to the vet who prescribed anti inflammatory meds for four days. One week after, the incision broke open and oodles of blood poured out and the orange went down to an egg immediately. Took her back to the vet and he put in staples, told me to use warm compresses twice daily and put her on Benadryl. Today two weeks later, the swelling is a little less every day, but a pretty hard rectangular feeling lump (muscle??). I am not getting any answers from my vet. She has a great appetite, active, etc. Help.
My dog had a large 1-2 centimeters on his back left paw. The vet removed it and took one of the toes. Came back as Grade 2 , the margins are not clean but they were tested and the grade was 0 as far as reproducing (i think), they removed the sutures and aspirated the lymph node behind the knee, it has spread. My vet says to remove the lymph node, and try to clean up the margins if possible and start chemo. Right now he takes 2 1/2 tables (20 mg pills) each day. I love this dog so much, anything that you can reccommend?
Kimk,
Based on what you have told me, for the paw area and the node, the options are surgery or radiation. The paw area can be challenging to get clean margins because there just isn’t much tisse there to remove. And then I would follow with chemo. Good luck!
All my best, Dr Sue