Mast Cell Tumours
Mast cells are cells in the body which help dogs deal with inflammation and allergies. Mast cell tumors are formed by a group of these cells, and they release harmful chemicals such as histamine throughout the body. Mast cell cancer is common in dogs.
Evidence suggests that genetics might predispose dogs to mast cell tumours. They are associated with over-stimulation of the immune system in dogs with inflammatory conditions or allergies. (In veterinary terminology, inflammatory conditions are described with ‘itis’ in the word, such as pancreatitis, encephalitis, and dermatitis.)
Mast cell tumours can occur in different places and have different shapes, so dog owners should keep an eye on unusual lumps and bumps on their dogs’ bodies, and have them examined by a vet. If the tumour appears suspicious, he will take fluid from the lump and examine it under a microscope. Cells will have histamine attached to them. They can then be sent to a lab for grading (indicating the severity of the problem).
Other symptoms of this disease can include laboured breathing, enlarged lymph nodes, coughing, bloody vomit, dark faeces, anorexia, irregular heart rhythm.
Vets will usually remove mast cells tumours surgically; they must leave a wide margin around the tumour to reduce the chance of the cancer cells spreading. This might be followed by radiation and/or chemotherapy.
Since mast cell tumours can show in any area of the body, the likelihood of survival is mixed. Tumours on the skin or limbs can be easily removed. Tumours in the groin, genital area, or mouth are less easy to deal with. Tumours in the internal organs are not good news. Mast cell tumours can also spread to other parts of the body.
Mast cells are cells in the body which help dogs deal with inflammation and allergies. Mast cell tumors are formed by a group of these cells, and they release harmful chemicals such as histamine throughout the body. Mast cell cancer is common in dogs.
Evidence suggests that genetics might predispose dogs to mast cell tumours. They are associated with over-stimulation of the immune system in dogs with inflammatory conditions or allergies. (In veterinary terminology, inflammatory conditions are described with ‘itis’ in the word, such as pancreatitis, encephalitis, and dermatitis.)
Mast cell tumours can occur in different places and have different shapes, so dog owners should keep an eye on unusual lumps and bumps on their dogs’ bodies, and have them examined by a vet. If the tumour appears suspicious, he will take fluid from the lump and examine it under a microscope. Cells will have histamine attached to them. They can then be sent to a lab for grading (indicating the severity of the problem).
Other symptoms of this disease can include laboured breathing, enlarged lymph nodes, coughing, bloody vomit, dark faeces, anorexia, irregular heart rhythm.
Vets will usually remove mast cells tumours surgically; they must leave a wide margin around the tumour to reduce the chance of the cancer cells spreading. This might be followed by radiation and/or chemotherapy.
Since mast cell tumours can show in any area of the body, the likelihood of survival is mixed. Tumours on the skin or limbs can be easily removed. Tumours in the groin, genital area, or mouth are less easy to deal with. Tumours in the internal organs are not good news. Mast cell tumours can also spread to other parts of the body.
From my experience, you know your dog is seriously ill when he starts to lag behind on walks – unless you can find some other cause such as a sprained leg or arthritis.
One of my very dear canine friends – Dannie – had mast cell tumours. He didn’t have bloody vomit (he didn’t vomit at all); he didn’t have dark faeces – he was just slow and unable to walk very far. We spent a good year seeking an accurate diagnosis and treating him for conditions he didn’t have. Had I known Dannie had cancer in time, I would have put him on CV247, Transfer Factorand Essiac Tea. Other options include flaxseed oil and cottage cheese, and a number of energy therapies such as Emotional Freedom Technique.
There is some evidence to say that Geopathic stressin the home might be involved with cancer, and other factors such as micro parasites, an acid/alkaline imbalance, and a CoQ10 deficiency could be involved.
I also believe that itchy scratchy dogs – whose bodies are constantly releasing histamine to deal with inflammation – might be more prone to this type of cancer than dogs who are not itchy scratchy.
The database PubMed has over 10,000 listings of spontaneous remission of cancer – so hope is justified.
Homeopathy is another mode of healing. Homoeopathic vets believe that every living being has the ability to heal and that illness only occurs when the ability to self-heal is somehow repressed. The goal of homeopathy is to improve the overall health of the body and aid in the body's own ability to heal. An option, therefore, is to ask your vet to refer you to a homoeopathic vet.
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