"Mags" wrote in message
...

I never knew of these medications;
........Benedryl is an over the counter anti-histamine. Cimetidine
(histamine irritates the stomach and can cause ulcers - this med is for the
stomach) is over the counter also - brand name Tagamet. I really don't know
if Benedryl has any effect on the mast cell cancer itself, though it may.
And I just read that Cimetidine may have some effect also (so you could be
right Celeste!). Certainly Benedryl can help with inflammation. Both of
these can help with symptoms. Some dogs can't tolerate Tagamet - I had one
that threw up. If no one has mentioned these to you, well, they're not
doing all they can for your dog. I think sometimes vets get overwhelmed
with cancer cases continually walking in the door and sort of give up. No
reason for you to buy into that kind of thinking.

only options I were given were chemo,
another op or "do nothing".
.............Hmmm, at one point they were treating mast cell cancers with
high dose steroids, which basically tamps down the immune system. Mast
cells are a normal part of the immune system, so this method helps keep
their proliferation in check. I guess I find it unusual that they're
limiting options. ASAIK radiation has also been used for mast cell cancer.

........You mentioned an oncologist I think. So you've been to a specialist
and that is all he/she has said - one chemo drug or nothing? You can't be
shy when talking to these people if you are going to do the best you can for
your dog. Read your eyeballs off. Ask questions. If you can't get any
answers out of the oncologist as to why he/she is only suggesting one chemo
drug and nothing else, then I'd try to find a second opinion. Radiation
therapy may not be available in your area, I don't know. And it's a long,
frequent, expensive process, so it may not be an option, BUT all the options
should have been presented to you with the oncologist explaining WHY the one
offered is the best choice in his/her opinion. There are certainly premier
institutions I would seek out if I lived anywhere near them - Cornell,
Colorado State, Gulf Coast Vet in Houston, UC - Davis, U of Penn, or really,
any of the large university vet schools.

,,,,,I urge you to read this site (very reputable) and also check all the
links. The better informed you are the better discussion you can have with
a specialist. And I'm not convinced that your oncologist is giving you all
the options. Do you mind mentioning where you are? Perhaps others can give
you recommendations of institutions or oncologists they have worked with in
your area.
Crash Course in Mast Cell Cancer:
http://www.kateconnick.com/library/mastcelltumor.html

I don't know if this link was included above, but it is a very good overview
of ALL treatment possibilities:
http://www.vetbiomed.murdoch.edu.au/...%2520Club_Arti
cle7a.pdf

A few more links:
http://www.vet.uga.edu/vpp/CLERK/Nesbit/
J. of Am Vet Med Assoc - these cost big bucks to download - see if your vet
or any vet in the area would copy them for you:
http://avmajournals.avma.org/doi/abs...?journalCode=j
avma
http://avmajournals.avma.org/doi/abs...68?cookieSet=1
&journalCode=javma

http://veterinaryrecord.bvapublicati...ct/158/9/287?e
toc
http://www.gcvs.com/oncology/gcvo_tumorinfo.htm

These studies will cost you 5 bucks to get full text, which you can access
immediately on line:
http://www.jaaha.org/cgi/content/abstract/38/5/458
http://www.jaaha.org/cgi/content/abstract/40/4/309
http://www.jaaha.org/cgi/content/abstract/40/2/124

.........I urge you to go to www.ivis.org and sign up for access to this
site. You don't have to be a vet (unless they've changed the rules - if so
email me - don't forget to take out the dog! - and I'll send you articles).
The proceedings from the WSAVA (World SMall Animal Vet Assn) and the annual
Canine Cancer Conference are available at this site.

I'll speak to my vet today.
He does have another couple of lumps but they said they weren't mast cell

..........He needle biopsied them? Honestly, unless they're warts on the
OUTSIDE of the dog, any lump at this point, to me at least, would be
suspicious and should be biopsied. And ask your vet for the proper dose of
Benedryl for your dog. There's no reason I can think of NOT to give it to
your dog while you're figuring out what to do. Make sure you get plain
Benedryl, as there's pills for sinus that have extra stuff in them.
..........I'd get copies of all of your records WRT this dog, including a
copy of the histopathology report on the tumor.
............One more thing. In some kinds of cancers you do NOT want to
stimulate the immune system. Mast cell cancer is such an animal, because it
is basically an overstimulation of one part of the immune system. Hence,
before using any alternative or adjunct therapy, I'd try to consult with a
holistic vet or any vet who is familiar with the use of herbs and
nutraceuticals.

I know this is a lot of reading, but really, being informed on what is out
there is the best way to have a good discussion with a vet or a specialist.
Please post back and let us know how your pup is doing.

All the best,
buglady
take out the dog before replying