Page 12 - Martin Downs Bulletin - May '22

Page 12, Martin Downs

tip of tHe taiL

Mast Cell Tumors: The Most there is not enough surrounding tissue to remove the mass with where the mast cell tumor cannot be adequately addressed
Common Skin Cancer In Dogs a large excision and in those cases we take as much as possible surgically. Stelfonta is injected directly into the tumor where it
interrupts tumor blood supply, kills up to 80 percent of tumor
to get the bulk of the disease.
Once surgery is complete, the tissue is submitted for cells, and promotes healing of the area. The injection does lead to
histopathology to grade the tumor and determine the disease-free swelling and bruising of the tissue, followed by an open wound
margins. If it is a low grade MCT with good margins, prognosis as the tumor dies, but this will heal within a few weeks and gives
is usually good and surgery is essentially considered curative. an overall better prognosis in a situation where limited treatment
However, with high grade MCTs with incomplete margins options were available before.
prognosis is guarded and further surgery, or chemotherapy is Established in 1981, Palm City Animal Medical Center is
needed. A discussion with your veterinarian is important to dedicated to providing the best possible care for your pets. With
Mast cell tumors (MCTs) are the most common form of skin decide the best course of action. A special mention should be focuses on compassionate care in surgery, physical therapy and
cancer in dogs, accounting for up to 20 percent of all canine skin made to MCTs on the nail bed, muzzle, ears, mouth, and around rehabilitation, preventative medicine, extensive diagnostics, and
tumors. They occasionally develop internally, but this form is the genitals and anus, as these tend to behave more malignantly emergency service, Palm City Animal Medical Center combines
not as common. They vary in appearance, sometimes being a than their grade would suggest and often require further treatment exceptional medical care with a caring philosophy for pets and
red raised bump on the surface of the skin or a lump just under regardless of their grade. their owners. For more information, call (772) 283-0920, visit
the skin, and may be ulcerated, swollen, or itchy. While some A new treatment on the market as of 2020 that is yielding www.palmcityanimalmedicalcenter.com or find us on Facebook
may be present for many months without growing, others can positive results is Stelfonta. This medication is used in dogs at www.facebook.com/PalmCityAnimalClinic.
appear suddenly and grow very quickly. As they are loaded
with histamine and other inflammatory biochemicals, they can kids corner
wax and wane 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
breeds are at higher risk. The breeds most commonly affected Reading Comprehension and store it to use later when encountering new material. Thus,
are beagles, Boston terriers, boxers, bulldogs, pit bulls, bull what type of varying experiences or knowledge are you giving
mastiffs, golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers, pugs, Rhodesian Problem? your child?
ridgebacks, Weimaraners, shar-peis, and Bernese mountain The text or books your child reads contributes to his or her
dogs. Shar-peis and Labradors tend to develop mast cell tumors By Jim Forgan, Ph.D., understanding. Like the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears,
at an earlier age and they tend to be more malignant, whereas Licensed School you don’t want the text your child reads to be too easy or too
boxers, bulldogs and pugs tend to develop less-aggressive mast Psychologist hard, but just right. Find out your elementary age child’s Lexile
cell tumors. Reading comprehension level and pick books within that range. Learn more at lexile.com
Mast cell tumors are usually diagnosed by a simple is a complex task involving or talk to your local librarian.
noninvasive needle aspirate where a small needle is inserted your child, the text, and The act of reading is multidimensional and includes quickly
directly into the mass to obtain some of the cells. These cells are the multidimensional task sounding out words, reading speed, and vocabulary. If your child
then evaluated under a microscope to confirm the diagnosis. After of reading. These variables is reading aloud to you and mispronounces words, only correct
confirmation, depending on size and location, surgery to remove combine to create reading the words that change the meaning. Using a book at your child’s
the mass is the next step. MCTs can be challenging to remove, comprehension. Lexile level, simultaneously read aloud with your child to build
as often the visible mass is just a small part of the actual tumor. Consider your child. reading speed. Stop periodically and take turns describing what
Think of them as icebergs, where there is much more under To achieve reading each person is picturing in their mind as visualizing helps with
the surface than what you can see. Therefore, surgery usually comprehension, your child must bring a positive mindset, comprehension. Teach your child a new vocabulary word each
involves a significantly larger excision than just the mass itself to background knowledge, and reading skills to what they read. week and practice using it during the week.
try to account for this microscopic spread. Sometimes, however, If your child is a reluctant or struggling reader, does he have a If you want to increase your child’s reading comprehension,
positive mindset about it? If not, how can you change it? allocate sufficient time to work on it, read with your child,
Answer for Your child’s prior life experiences contribute to reading provide varied life experiences, and work on skills. If you need
comprehension. Consider yourself assembling furniture. When
a specialist, I have reading tutors at jimforgan.com/tutor.
Crossword Puzzle you’ve previously put together furniture, that experience helps Dr. Forgan is a licensed school psychologist and certified
you anticipate assembling the new piece. Every time your child
dyslexia testing specialist and can help you at (561) 625-4125
learns or experiences something new they make connections or JimForgan.com.
Dyslexia, ADD/ADHD,

Gifted Testing

NOW OFFERING: Dr. Jim Forgan & Associates
• Jupiter & Stuart Offices Licensed School Psychologist
• Testing for Processing www.JimForgan.com
Problems, Anxiety,
Defiance (561) 625-4125
• Weekend and After
School Appointments

“Helping Parents Help Children”

Why Pay More To Sell?

Aligned
with

Even with 23 years of
experience, my fees Home • Auto • Boat • RV • Life
are still low Flood • Business • Commercial

SELL YOUR HOME
Using the latest and most advanced Mary-Beth Zipsir
marketing technologies Agent in Charge
O: (772) 233-4444
Call Jim at www.smartchoicepartnersfl.com

772-341-2941 It's our policy that you know yours

Jim Weix, Broker Associate
309 SE Osceola St., Suite 204, Stuart