Page 12 - Hobe Sound Reflections - May '22

Page 12, Hobe Sound

tip of tHe taiL

Mast Cell Tumors: The Most develop mast cell tumors at an earlier age and they tend action. A special mention should be made to MCTs on the

Common Skin Cancer In Dogs to be more malignant, whereas boxers, bulldogs and pugs nail bed, muzzle, ears, mouth, and around the genitals and
tend to develop less-aggressive mast cell tumors.
anus, as these tend to behave more malignantly than their
Mast cell tumors are usually diagnosed by a simple grade would suggest and often require further treatment
noninvasive needle aspirate where a small needle is inserted regardless of their grade.
directly into the mass to obtain some of the cells. These A new treatment on the market as of 2020 that is
cells are then evaluated under a microscope to confirm yielding positive results is Stelfonta. This medication
the diagnosis. After confirmation, depending on size and is used in dogs where the mast cell tumor cannot be
location, surgery to remove the mass is the next step. MCTs adequately addressed surgically. Stelfonta is injected
can be challenging to remove, as often the visible mass directly into the tumor where it interrupts tumor blood
is just a small part of the actual tumor. Think of them as supply, kills up to 80 percent of tumor cells, and promotes
icebergs, where there is much more under the surface than healing of the area. The injection does lead to swelling
what you can see. Therefore, surgery usually involves a and bruising of the tissue, followed by an open wound
significantly larger excision than just the mass itself to try to as the tumor dies, but this will heal within a few weeks
account for this microscopic spread. Sometimes, however, and gives an overall better prognosis in a situation where
there is not enough surrounding tissue to remove the mass limited treatment options were available before.
Mast cell tumors (MCTs) are the most common form of with a large excision and in those cases we take as much Established in 1981, Palm City Animal Medical Center
skin cancer in dogs, accounting for up to 20 percent of all as possible to get the bulk of the disease. is dedicated to providing the best possible care for your
canine skin tumors. They occasionally develop internally, Once surgery is complete, the tissue is submitted for pets. With focuses on compassionate care in surgery,
but this form is not as common. They vary in appearance, histopathology to grade the tumor and determine the physical therapy and rehabilitation, preventative medicine,
sometimes being a red raised bump on the surface of the disease-free margins. If it is a low grade MCT with good extensive diagnostics, and emergency service, Palm City
skin or a lump just under the skin, and may be ulcerated, margins, prognosis is usually good and surgery is essentially Animal Medical Center combines exceptional medical
swollen, or itchy. While some may be present for many considered curative. However, with high grade MCTs care with a caring philosophy for pets and their owners.
months without growing, others can appear suddenly and with incomplete margins prognosis is guarded and further For more information, call (772) 283-0920, visit www.
grow very quickly. As they are loaded with histamine and surgery, or chemotherapy is needed. A discussion with palmcityanimalmedicalcenter.com or find us on Facebook
other inflammatory biochemicals, they can wax and wane your veterinarian is important to decide the best course of at www.facebook.com/PalmCityAnimalClinic.
in size over a 24-hour period, especially when stimulated
by touch or environmental allergens.
While any dog can develop a mast cell tumor, several Book Review from page 11 Whether to become a falconer is not a decision Sy
breeds are at higher risk. The breeds most commonly makes lightly. You will have to read the book to find
affected are beagles, Boston terriers, boxers, bulldogs, pit as rabbits, squirrels, voles or even small dogs larger out – but you won’t need a raptor to hunt down a copy.
bulls, bull mastiffs, golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers, than themselves, in the air or on the ground – and rip This month is the official publication date and, with
pugs, Rhodesian ridgebacks, Weimaraners, shar-peis, and them to pieces. the Sy Montgomery name, The Hawk’s Way should be
Bernese mountain dogs. Shar-peis and Labradors tend to For a lifelong vegan whose own home life includes available everywhere.
a wonderful border collie and a roost of “little ladies” *****
– the five hens that she and her author/historian Only an author with the skill and heart of Sy
husband have raised and care for as protected pets – it Montgomery can relate all of this in a slim, 80-page,
is a decision that would have to be reconciled with an compact (5-1/4” by 7-1/2”) volume, the same charming
acceptance of the law of wild nature: format as her recently published The Hummingbirds’
“Hunt hard. Kill swiftly. Waste nothing. Offer no Gift.
apologies.”

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