What does a mast cell tumor LOOK LIKE?

[stormysmom]

Could anyone explain what a mast cell tumor looks like? Or are there varying types? I'm wondering if they are typically found/felt under the skin, or if they can appear as growths on top of the skin.

My Stormy is 6 now, and she has had several small wart or blood blister looking growths for some time, on various parts of her body. I have had the vet check them out on several occasions, and he has assured me they are not tumors, and are normal growths for older dogs. But I am still not convinced! They are very small, and have not grown - but I still worry. She seems to have more popping up as the months go by.

Any help or info would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Dana

 

[Austin's Mom]

I don't know if they all look the same or not, I can only tell you my experience. Austin had this "thing" on his front leg, and it kind of looked like a finger pointing out. It just hung there and because it wasn't under the skin I didn't have it checked right away. Then it sort of "filled up", so I took him to the vet and they did a needle aspiration and told me it was mast cell and had to be removed. Thank God it was localized in that one spot and he is fine.
If you do a search under mast cell tumors you will find lots of info. I certainly did. Good luck, I'm sure your baby is fine, but if you don't believe your vet get a second opinion.

 

[Jeanne]

Mast cell tumors don't all look alike, especially between grades. They aren't always in the skin, but can be internal (very bad.) The dog I had that had a grade one removed looked like a small extra nipple for a long time (we thought that's what it was). Then it increased in size although it still had a somewhat nipple appearance (dry), so we had it removed and sent to a lab.