Sara is scheduled for Surgery

[zippy-kat]

Monday we took Sara to the vet to have a suspicious bump looked at. Test results came back today... looks like it's cancerous.

Our pupperoo goes under the knife on the 15th.

Please keep us in your thoughts!

[Cincy'sMom]

We'll be sure to keep Sara in our thoughts

[anna_66]

Oh I hope all goes well during surgery. We'll be keeping you and her in our thoughs.

[KYS]

Sending positive vibes. Please keep us updated.

[Cinder & Smoke]

.
Hi God ~

Prayer Pups here, an ME Too ~ BOWSER!
We'z kallin bout my KUZIN or NIECE or sum sorta Relative!!

Shhhh... don't shout! He kan hear ya, Bowz.

Sorrie, God - Bowz iz sorta a "Trainee" here inna Purrayer Offiss.
It'z his Furst Kall up ta HQ.

God, kan You paLeeze do a Sir Jury Assist on da 15th?

We'd 'preciate it iffin You kuld <ride along> to da Hoppsbittel an
<skrub in> whilst they remove da *bump* on Sara Pup...
Please <guide> da White Coat's hanz an Help em ta get it all off.

Allua Pet Talkerz are gonna be kallin in wiff Purrayers fur Sara;
and we'll be Lightin Up da Prayer Kandilz, too.

Bowser here! ~ THANKS, God!!

/s/ the (THREE) Prayer Pups
.

[Glacier]

My Paxil is having the same surgery on the same day! I will be praying that both furbabies come through this alright!

[wolf_Q]

Oh no I'm really sorry to hear this. I hope the surgery goes well and they are able to get all of it out!

[zippy-kat]

Originally posted by Glacier
My Paxil is having the same surgery on the same day! I will be praying that both furbabies come through this alright!

Glacier,
I thought of dear, sweet Paxil as soon as I got the news. I *think* it's even the same type of cancer. Will be holding you in our thoughts, too!


Everyone,
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers!

[Glacier]

Originally posted by zippy-kat
Glacier,
I thought of dear, sweet Paxil as soon as I got the news. I *think* it's even the same type of cancer.

Paxil has a mast cell tumor. Is that what Sara has?

[zippy-kat]

Originally posted by Glacier
Paxil has a mast cell tumor. Is that what Sara has?

I'm not a 100% certain, yet.
The secretary called us (vet wasn't there today) and told us the tests results came back. Dr. N said Sara had a round cell tumor and to get her in ASAP to have it removed and sent to some lab.

I looked up "canine round cell tumor" and, while there are other "versions," it looks like all are malignant and there's a strong possibility it's a mast cell tumor. A number of the sites mentioned that boxers and other bully breeds are prone to it (mast cell). Like Paxil, it was/is a bump on the (hind) leg.

Our poor babies!

[shais_mom]

Thoughts and prayers on you're way

[Corinna]

We here at the brubaker crew will be praying and sending hugs to you all.

[Albea]

Prayers and healing thoughts going Sara's way.

[dragondawg]

MCTs are characterized by being extremely variable in shape, color, and texture. Although Boxers have a tendency to develop MCTs, 50% are the benign form.

The best treatment for MCT is surgery taking wide margins around the tumor. If it comes back as cancerous, and/or if grade II+, and the margins were seen to be "dirty" then local radiation is used to clean up any stray cells missed by surgery.

MCT has a tendency to be very metastatic. The usual tactic of using ultrasound to find internal tumors may or may not work for MCT. Sometimes an affected spleen or liver will appear clean. Apparently the only place MCT can not hide without being noticed by ultrasound are the kidneys.

MCT which has gone into metastasis is extremely difficult to treat. Chemo drugs such as Vincristine and Cytoxin with the old standby of Prednisone are used and can induce short remissions.

MCT is derived from the cell line that one would guess- Mast Cells. These are the cells responsible for the release of histamine when encountering a foreign antigen. This causes a cascade effect of allergic and inflamatory responses. In MCT puppies the high release of histamine can readily result in ulcers. Therefore both acid blockers (e.g. cimetidine, rantidine), and anti-histamines are used to provide pallative relief.

There is evidence the incorporation of Omega-3s in the diet and its anti-inflamatory properties, including inhibiting the release of histamine helps with this disease. You should consider starting fish oil administration. Most dogs really enjoy the taste. Avoid giving Flax oil, and stick with the fish oil. Also Vitamin-E (dry or the succinate salt form) has also been found beneficial in decreasing the inflamation.

Again, given the difficulty in treating metastatic MCT, the best chance is in getting it out with surgery, and possible follow up radiation.

[lizbud]

Best of luck with Sara's surgery next week. I'll be sure to keep
her in my prayers.