Mast Cell Tumor- is vomiting a bad sign?

#1 · April 16, 2022, 3:39 pm

Hi all, I'm new here- came looking for answers. My nine year old puggle (pug/beagle mix) was just diagnosed with a mast cell tumor. She's been getting sick over the last few months and I've been able to control it with a rice/chicken diet and anti nausea meds from the vet. Friday she developed bloody diareah so I took her to the vet. My daughter pointed out a lump near her ribs. The vet biopsied it and informed us it's a mast cell tumor. I read on one site that if the dogs with mast cell are getting sick, it's usually a poor prognosis. Her surgery is scheduled about a week out so I won't know the grade for What seems like forever. Any insite on this. I'm just destroyed over this.

My dogs name is Daisy. I'm just trying to figure out of there are dogs out there that had vomitong and diareah and survived?

#2 · April 16, 2022, 3:41 pm

I am sorry to hear your dog is not feeling well. With mast cell tumors, the issue is that they release a substance that is known as histamine, which is the same substance that we produce when we have an allergic reaction and develop hives, itchy eyes and sniffles. When there is too much histamine, the stomach produces acid which can cause nausea, loss of appetite, GI upset and vomiting. I am not aware of the poorer prognosis associated with dogs getting sick, I always thought that nausea, vomiting was a common symptom of mast cell tumors. Maybe somebody can chime in. Did the vet grade it?

Former AAHA animal hospital employee, dog trainer and dog behavior consultant. Published dog author on several print and web publications.

#3 · April 16, 2022, 3:42 pm

Hello,
Prognosis really depends on the grade of the tumor, and there are types of mast cell tumors that behave differently. I wouldn't trust a website for a prognosis or rely on other people's stories as each case may be different. I would contact your vet for more details or perhaps consult with an oncologist. Has your vet put your dog on Benadryl to reduce the histamine? With less histamine, perhaps there would be less symptoms. Here are some great reads:
http://www.dogcancerblog.com/blog/be-car...-you-read/
http://www.dogcancerblog.com/blog/why-be...ll-tumors/
http://www.dogcancerblog.com/glossary/pr...efinition/
http://www.justanswer.com/1cr2-veterinar...s-she.html

#4 · April 16, 2022, 3:43 pm

I second what the others says there are too many variables with this condition. I can understand how frustrating it is to be waiting to know more about the grade. Not all websites can be trusted as yes, it's a very variable condition and quite individual. Only by knowing the cancer better with a thorough history can the vet give better hints as for prognosis. The Dog Cancer Blog though is a trusted source as it's written from Dr. Dressler and a veterinary oncologist, Dr. Ettinger. I would read all they offer about mast cell tumors and then talk things over the vet.
Just saw that their website says: "Most dogs are not feeling or acting sick when they are diagnosed with MCT" so I wouldn't assume that your dog's vomiting isn't necessary something to be particularly concerned about as to prognosis. I would wait to see what the vet says once the mast is graded.