My Dog Has Recovered from Mast Cell Tumour

by Labrador Owner

I don't normally post on forums, but I wanted to give some hope to any of you who are going through the pain of having your dog diagnosed with a mast cell tumour.

My precious puppy (I still call him a puppy even though he is now more than 6 years old) was diagnosed with a mast cell tumour at age 2 years 6 months.

As you can imagine, I was devastated. It went through the usual biopsy and removal. According to the vet it was a large tumour, although barely visible on surface, the wound required 12 stitches. The histology came back as grade II, so not as good as I was hoping for, but not as bad as I feared.

He made a good recovery after surgery, and got loads of sympathy for the large wound he had on his back near his tail. I, like anyone else in this situation, trawled the internet for any information I could find. I came across a lot of information on the quality of ingredients put into dog food. I had been feeding him an expensive kibble, and he never seemed to like it much. With hindsight, I should have trusted his instincts.

I began to cook for him myself, and almost immediately I noticed a difference in him. He was more energetic (perhaps partly because tumour was removed), but he was far more supple too. He was like a new or better version of his old self. He loves his food now, any food! This makes me sad that I had forced him, according to conventional wisdom, to eat kibble.

Although no longer a puppy, in everyone's eyes but mine, he regularly gets mistaken for a 2 year old dog. Many people, including his vet, comment on what good shape he is in.

He has had no further recurrence of mast cell tumour, although he has had a lipoma in the past few months. I am told these fatty lumps are common in Labradors. Apart from that he is a healthy, happy, bouncy dog of 6 years 6 months and he is a joy to be around.

I hope, if you are reading this, that your dog will make a full recovery too.