Queen Maeby

Thanks Anne :) What concerns me is that they are becoming harder to manage, ie. producing histamine and other chemicals that are making him sick. He was having trouble breathing last night. And they are becoming more frequent. And because he has a diagnosis of Multiple Mast Cell Tumours, he's going to have them for the rest of his life. And there is no guarantee that they will all be low grade (or not metastasise). So far two of them have been Grade 2 on the old system. It is frustrating and upsetting beyond belief to watch your baby go through this. And I find the uncertainty very hard to be with.

That information isn't up to date or aligned with the current thinking on MCT's. Be very careful where you get your information, especially with information on the internet. I think it's best to get it directly from an oncologist :)

I feel that I've done all I can with natural medicine, and I would like to take the standard/orthodox approach and use veterinary medicine. I've reached the stage where I'm just happy to keep him comfortable. I'm no longer hoping for remission or a miracle cure*. *MCT's are so unpredictable that apparently they can go away and never come back again.

I might talk to my vet about putting him on Masitinib (not as harsh as Palladia). This will stop the tumours from developing/spreading while I think about what to do. It just buys time; it doesn't cure the cancer. Once you take them off it, the cancer returns.

They just came up today. He didn't have them yesterday.

He's got two more lumps: one on his head and one on his leg, near the first lump.

Thanks, I'm getting used to it now!

Thanks SL, my vet told me to give it to him every day.

My vet just rang me to tell me the results of the fine needle aspirate... It's a mast cell tumour. He is booked in for Thursday morning for surgery. Will let you know how he goes.

Just a quick update... I took him to the vet this morning and she did a fine needle aspirate on the lump. The results will be back in a few days. If it's cancer then he will need to go under and have it removed (and it will be biopsied). The lump is still small and not bothering him at the moment. She said to continue with the antihistamines.

She is beautiful, Perse :)

Thanks :)

The lump is tiny now. It's barely there!

No worries :) You can also buy the generic cetirizine from the chemist. It comes in up to 90 tablets I think.

Yes, I take my Pug to outdoor cafes and sometimes to the local milk bar, which is more like a hip deli. He loves going out.

Zyrtec (Cetirizine)

I have been up all night with a cold, but my Pug has been sleeping comfortably and he has been snoring his head off all night. The lump has gone back to its original size. efs

I'd say it's a third smaller (it was really enormous!) so it is definitely working, and he doesn't seem bothered by it at all now. He has snuggled up next to me on the couch :) I will let you know how he goes.

No worries :)

Thanks Roova and RSA :) Perse and CavnRott, my vet said the histamine (that is being released by the mast cells in the tumour) is making the lump inflamed and itchy. And she said the antihistamines will help. I have just got home and his lump has halved in size. I think the antihistamines are working. My vet didn't say anything about him being in pain; I just said that because I was upset and worrying. I'm sorry to have alarmed you.

My Pug's lump has tripled in size and it seems to be bothering him like it's itchy or painful. The vet told me to give him some antihistamines until we see her on Monday. This is the first time that a lump has bothered him. And I've never seen one so enormous... It's pretty scary. It's not fair that this should be happening to my beautiful Pug How is everyone else going with their dogs' MCT's?

That was great!

Steve, I almost forgot to tell you... The samples and the coat gloss spray arrived today. Thanks so much, that was very kind of you. I will let you know how we go :)

Oh my god he/she is going to fry like a little BBQ chicken!

Whaaat?! That is terrible! The poor little Pug. It's horrible when you have short, spiky hairs on your legs (I don't shave anymore, I wax). Imagine what it would be like having that covering your entire body and how irritating it would be.