I have a puppy buyer who contacted me this morning to tell me that their 4 month old puppy has mast cell cancer. They did the needle aspiration but didn't do surgery yet to remove it. I've never dealt with cancer at all as a breeder/owner and so don't have alot of experience. But is this normal in a puppy? If so what is the outlook for the puppy longterm? I've read there is no genetic link, is that correct? Mom is 4 and grandma 10 and still here and doing great. Mom has 4 full siblings in breeding homes that are all doing great as well. Thanks for any info and input.
I would want the aspiration checked by a Lab not just in house at the vet.
I would also see (or at least talk to) a canine oncologist.
I know a dog that was recently put on the table to remove a tumor by the regular vet. Vet said it was cancer and could not remove it for fear of bleeding to death due to the location.
Dog was taken to a specialist/surgeon just about 10 days later where they removed it with no problem and do not think it is cancer. Sent out for testing of course. Waiting on results
Point is, I would have them get a second opinion from a specialist.
Where is the tumor located? There are injection site cancers that can occur at any age.
There was a cancer related to a brand of microchip. Those chips were recalled but they may have been in the inventory and used by mistake. It should be ruled out just in case.
I hate not having definitive answers when things go wrong. I feel for you.
A 2nd Opinion with sample sent into a lab for diagnosis is a must.
One of my old vets got in the habit of using his microscope for diagnosing problems, rather than sending the sample to the lab. Because I trusted this vet, he misdiagnosed 2 of our dogs for cancer. One was cancererous but he said it was a simple cyst. The other dog was suppose to have a salivary gland infection in that one lump and he wanted to take her salavary gland out for $1800.00. I decided to take our girl to a new vet where they sent in the aspiration to the lab. Came back a cyst infection, treated with antibiotics. I no longer go to the old vet and I always insist on getting a 2nd opinion when it is something more serious like cancer.
One of the vets at my clinic has a Lab who came in with a grade 1 mast cell tumor at around 3-4 months old. The surgery to remove it was successful but the puppy had not been vaccinated and came down with parvo shortly after the surgery. The owners gave up at that point and elected to euthanize, but my vet stepped in to adopt. Great dog, no further problems - it's been about 7 years, maybe more...
Mast cell tumors are graded I, II, and III. Grade I are non-malignant. Grade II can be non-malignant as well, but if left untreated could possibly turn into a malignancy. Grade III are malignant. Speak to a specialist. I had a dog that had all 3 grades. He lived a very long and happy life and had the grade III diagnosed at 8 years old. He lived to be 13! Good Luck!
