My dog has MCT and cardiomyopathy

[OscarLolamom]

My older boy Oscar 6-1/2 years old was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy this summer. He has growth on his lower lid that cannot be removed due to risks of anesthesia. Now I noticed bump on his leg which was diagnosed as Mast Cell Tumor. I am crying all day, he cannot have any surgical treatment or oncological treatment because of his heart. Why is he getting all of this, my poor baby? We are going to see surgeon, just to hear his opinion, which I know is not going to be anything different from what I know so far. Anyone went through combination of such conditions?

 

[darwinsmom]

Hi,

My Darwin is 9 1/2 years old and was diagnosed with boxer cardiomyopathy (arrhythmia) 18 months ago. He has not been sedated or anesthetized since that diagnosis although he has had numerous small skin tumors removed under local anesthesia, including a MCT and a squamous cell carcinoma. So depending on Oscar's temperament and the size and location of the tumor, it may be possible to have surgical removal without anesthesia. I'm sure another member, Susi, will also chime in with her experience treating MCTs with steroid (vetalog) injections also.

Obviously I don't know the details of Oscar's condition, but at Darwin's last ultrasound (6 months ago), the cardiologist told me that they would clear him for surgery. At the time he had a small growth on his eyelid but it ended up going away on its own. She didn't seem very concerned, but again Darwin has a generally well-controlled arrhythmia and so far no indication of dilated cardiomyopathy.

-Karlyn

 

[Gatorblu]

I am so sorry you and Oscar are going thru this. Have you seen a cardiologist? Thor has had surgery after finding arythmias pre-op. We got him on Sota and it has helped.

 

[OscarLolamom]

We have seen cardiologist and had heart ultrasound done, that confirm diagnosis of cardiomyopathy with dysrrhythmia and dialation and he did not ok for anesthesia. It sounds scary and painful to have tumor removed under local. Oscar does not have any CHF symptoms, that is good, but he is tired and can't catch his breath after running or playing outside with his playmate. I will definitely ask for that steroid treatment. Any significant side effects with it?

 

[darwinsmom]

You can search the forum for posts on Vetalog by user Cami for more information. It isn't a well-known treatment among most vets. If the tumor is small, removal under local anesthetic shouldn't be painful, but you do need a cooperative patient. Sorry you are going through this.

 

[cantfindlog]

Wanted to add that if your vet is unfamiliar with vetalog injections, I believe from Susi (Cami) posts that Dr. Cheryl London at Ohio state is the leading expert in mast cell tumors and using vetalog. Your vet could look her up and get information so you can have Oscar treated for the tumors without putting him under.

Good luck and many healing <<vibes>> to you and Oscar.

 

[Cami]

So sorry to hear of your guys health troubles. My girl Cami had both cardiomyopathy as well as a life long battle with mast cell tumors.
First and foremost you have to determine (with your team of vets) which illness is the most life threatening TODAY.
Controlled cardiomyopathy (with meds) or a case that hasn't progressed with symptoms could be granted surgical "okay" if various protocols are used. The physical symptoms you described (exercise intolerance) IS a symptom of cardiomyopathy and should be taken into consideration.
Your cardiologist can let the surgeon known what drugs can be used to anesthetize, what precautions should be used during surgery and possibly other drugs "at the ready" if complications develop during surgery. If you don't specifically ASK for approval you won't get it and *some* vets won't touch a dog with heart issues for surgery. If you can't get approval then you have your answer. The heart issues would seem more prevalent than the cancer in that situation. It helps to have a team of vets (oncologist & cardiologist) working in tandem.

Aside from surgical removal smaller MCT's can be removed via a punch biopsy. No sedation needed. A local anesthetic is injected at the tumor site to numb the area and the growth is removed. If done correctly by an experienced practitioner clean margins can oftentimes be obtained. A lower grade tumor with dirty margins has the same 50% chance of returning as one does that is removed with clean margins.

We used Vetalog injections successfully for a couple of years for multiple tumors. Cami's history was one of many tumors and fairly low grade. The worse was a grade 2, about the size of a walnut. It was originally removed without clean margins surgically. None of her tumors ever returned either surgically removed, those removed with punch biopsies or treated with Vetalog.

If God forbid Raine ever presents with a MCT I will be the first in line to try the Vetalog injections on her. The success rate with Cami was 100%. I'd utilize them again in an attempt to avoid surgery.

Cami experienced two side effects. The first was an increase in water consumption for about 3 days after each injection. More water meant more trips outside to potty. She went through the equivalent of one additional bowl of water a day. The second side effect was the itching associated with her MCT's was relived. This made for a much happier patient.

It is not a commonly used treatment for MCT's but is a very common drug used daily in most vet offices for allergies. Your vet will have it in their "medicine cabinet". An oncologist well versed in MCT's will have heard about its use, may have even used it in the past. Those that specialize or see/treat other forms of cancer more often might not. Others simply want to get rid of the tumor ASAP by surgical removal. If you choose to go this route you may or may not have to "fight" for it. Using this form of therapy requires an injection into the tumor every two weeks until the tumor is gone. The longest it took for one of Cami's tumors to die was 5 injections (10 weeks) but we added an additional injection totaling 6 and 12 weeks for good measure. They fill the tumor up with medication. It gets bigger (full if they did it right), and then it starts to shrink, gets sort of crusty around the edges resembling a scab. It slowly gets smaller and smaller (until they inject it again) and eventually just disappears. You can't tell where the tumor was. No scar or hair loss, etc... Just gone.

The Vetalog is pretty darn cheap too. We paid $7.00 for the medication itself every other week. Of course the oncology and hospital fees increased the bill but in comparison to surgery costs it was more affordable. Dr. London is the head of oncology at OSU and specializes in MCT's. She is easily contacted (and often is) concerning all things MCT's from vets across the world. Your vets will have access to further info regarding the use of Vetalog for MCT's as there isn't much available online.

 

[OscarLolamom]

Today I discovered on more lump, smaller size, but the same consistency under his front leg ("armpit"), that makes me even more upset. We see Dermatology and Cardiology specialists at the University of Pennsylvania. They are considered being on a top of the list. Cardiologist is not going to clear him for general anesthesia. They will not be able to remove three lumps under local (third lump is benigh on lower lid). Even if they would, what if he would need chemo? He will not tolerate it. I am afraid that all this will kill him. I am so lost now, I just do not want him to suffer or to be in pain. I am afraid to give him unnecessary pain by taking him through all of this. I am thinking more and more not to touch it at all. Next week we will see soft tissue surgeon.

 

[darwinsmom]

I'm so sorry you are feeling lost and scared. I'm sure I would be a wreck too. Just remember to take everything one step at a time. Figure out what you are dealing with first (which seems to be the plan with the appointment next week).

Best wishes.
-Karlyn

 

[OscarLolamom]

Now my other boxer has lump

I don't know what is wrong with us, with our dogs? We discovered walnut size lump on Lola on her side at the lowest rib. It does not seem to bother her or affected her in any way. She is 2 years old healthy clown. I am not planning to take her to regular vet, they do not know anything and seems to be do not care. I will watch it for a week then I will take her to...
Which doctor should I take dermatology or surgeon? Now I feel with such sadness: one dog has cardiomyopathy / dysrrhythmia / MCT and other dog has something unknown yet that scares me.