Mass cell tumors 13 year old staff

#1 · April 14, 2022, 3:15 pm

My 13 year old Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Treacle, has mmany lumps throughout her body which my vet suspects to be mass cell tumors. Due to her again the decision was taken to not treat her but make her as comfortable as possible. She also has arthritis in all 4 legs and her hips and has Loxicom to help with the pain. Reacently she has been loosing weight and has had intermittent episodes of diarrhoea with alot of fresh blood and black tar like feaces, she has also been sleeping alot but does seem to perk up at times. She has an appointment with the vet again today, I suspect ssee may have ulcers caused by the histamine in the tumours. I am just not sure if i am being cruel by keeping her going? She can only have short walks now due to the arthritis as she can barely walk later if I do take her to far. I just worry because she is such a full on dog it's always been difficult to tell when she is in pain and is so excitable at the vets in think they wonder why I am so concerned.

#2 · April 14, 2022, 3:16 pm

Quote from dragondawg on April 14, 2022, 3:16 pm
Since you opted not to try chemotherapy (e.g. Vincristine+Prednisone), you can still go for a palliative treatment, involving large doses of Prednisone alone, plus other supportive drugs.

Discuss the following with your Vet, and ask the Vet the appropriate dosage to give to your dog...

Mast Cell Cancer true to the cell's original function will generate large amounts of histamine, and it can cause gastrointestinal ulcers, as you already suspect. The effect of the histamine can be partially blocked by giving diphenhydramine (Benedryl), twice daily at the appropriate dosage.

You can address the ulcers which will get much worse if untreated, by administering omeprazole (Prilosec). In addition the Vet can prescribe Sucralfate, which is a surfactant that binds to ulcers in the GI tract helping them heal. It's given at least 1 hr before or after any other medications. It can bind to, and prevent absorption of other drugs.

High dose Prednisone will initially be effective against many cancers. Eventually the given cancer will become resistant to it. How fast depends on the cancer. But its anti-inflammatory effects can still be of worth for palliative treatment. The primary side effects of Prednisone are: A huge increase in thirst, and appetite. The most common short term bad side effect is stomach ulcers. Which can easily be controlled and/or prevented by omeprazole.

I've had a 13 yr old 70 lb chronic lymphoid leukemia puppy since early Nov. With the treatment being Leukeran, plus Prednisone, and surprise omeprazole to protect the stomach lining against the Prednisone. He'll be on Omeprazole for as long as he's on Prednisone. Which is likely the rest of his life. The only problems encountered with Prednisone was while on higher doses. Excessive panting, and wanting to go out every 20 mins for puppy wee-wees. This has gone away with the low maintenance dose he is currently on. Except the part he still eats like a piggy. The point being, don't be afraid of high dose Prednisone. But first your Vet needs to come up with a plan to deal with the ulcers, and quickly. The goal being a few more months of a higher quality of life.

Since you opted not to try chemotherapy (e.g. Vincristine+Prednisone), you can still go for a palliative treatment, involving large doses of Prednisone alone, plus other supportive drugs.

Discuss the following with your Vet, and ask the Vet the appropriate dosage to give to your dog...

Mast Cell Cancer true to the cell's original function will generate large amounts of histamine, and it can cause gastrointestinal ulcers, as you already suspect. The effect of the histamine can be partially blocked by giving diphenhydramine (Benedryl), twice daily at the appropriate dosage.

You can address the ulcers which will get much worse if untreated, by administering omeprazole (Prilosec). In addition the Vet can prescribe Sucralfate, which is a surfactant that binds to ulcers in the GI tract helping them heal. It's given at least 1 hr before or after any other medications. It can bind to, and prevent absorption of other drugs.

High dose Prednisone will initially be effective against many cancers. Eventually the given cancer will become resistant to it. How fast depends on the cancer. But its anti-inflammatory effects can still be of worth for palliative treatment. The primary side effects of Prednisone are: A huge increase in thirst, and appetite. The most common short term bad side effect is stomach ulcers. Which can easily be controlled and/or prevented by omeprazole.

I've had a 13 yr old 70 lb chronic lymphoid leukemia puppy since early Nov. With the treatment being Leukeran, plus Prednisone, and surprise omeprazole to protect the stomach lining against the Prednisone. He'll be on Omeprazole for as long as he's on Prednisone. Which is likely the rest of his life. The only problems encountered with Prednisone was while on higher doses. Excessive panting, and wanting to go out every 20 mins for puppy wee-wees. This has gone away with the low maintenance dose he is currently on. Except the part he still eats like a piggy. The point being, don't be afraid of high dose Prednisone. But first your Vet needs to come up with a plan to deal with the ulcers, and quickly. The goal being a few more months of a higher quality of life.