Mia has cancer

[ljnash]

Beau had to have a toe nail removed a couple of weeks ago because he broke it somehow. He's back to normal now and the nail is growing back.

I hope all goes well at Mia's next oncologist appt. You all will be in my thoughts and prayers!!

[simonsdad]

Our three year old boxer Simon was just also diagnosed with a Grade 1 mast cell on his front right shoulder area. His surgery is on Monday! :-( Unless the vet isn't telling us everything, he said that surgery alone should do the trick. It's even outpatient. A friend I know has taken her boxer probably 5 or 6 times to have these removed at different times. They keep popping up but they don't spread anywhere internally. I hope I'm not sticking my head in the sand thinking this shouldn't be a big deal for our Simon.

[Austin's Mom]

My Austin had a grade 2 and only had surgery.

[Scrapper's Mom]

Dora,
Hope that all turns out well for Mia....sending healing thoughts and vibes to you both *Hugs* ))))))))))))))

[sinbad'smom]

sending more (((healing vibes)))) to mia...hope nothing happens and you can make your next appointment..tell mia she has to behave herself until after she sees the doctor...boxer hugs from sinbad and sierra..keep us updated...dora

[Aimee]

Originally Posted by Mama_Zookeeper

Needing some good luck BW vibes that this appointment will be kept and all will go well! Mia is now sporting a latex free bandage and could very well win an oscar for best actress in the bitch category in "Dew Claw"...she is hobbling around and actually fell over instead of just laying down to let me know she is miserable! I still love my drama queen.

Dora

You have our best boxerworld vibes that your appointment goes well! We will keep you and Mia in our thoughts and prayers. I know how emotionally challenging it is having to wait to go to the oncologist, I pray for strength for you.

Hug that drama queen for us, okay? And please keep us posted!

Aimee

[Mama_Zookeeper]

Simonsdad, from what I have read mast cell tumors can sometimes be controlled with surgery. I have read other threads here at BW where some of the pups have not had any recurrence in years...parents just have to stay vigilant and keep an eye out for new growths. I know how dramatic my first posts sounded...I am a bit of a drama queen myself! I honestly lost it and was just so caught off guard.

Mia had 2 growths removed and we have found 2 more that will be removed as soon as we get with the oncologist. Our vet just wants to be sure that it has not spread internally (I am hoping & praying for that). So many tumors in such a quick amount of time, allergies (a sign of a weakened immune system), and my concern as well have led me to do a full exam just to be sure she is fine inside & out. At times I am a big worry wart...I have also been through a lot of stuff including the death of my brother that makes me panic whenever anything even remotely bad happens. I was not always so quick to react like this...

Anyhow, for now I am just focusing on the positive...BW vibes are the best!

Dora

[Aimee]

Dora,

The canine cancer list that I belong to has several dogs on it with mast cell tumors and it appears that their treatment is tagment and benadryl every day. I thought you could mention this to the oncologist and see what the reasoning behind it is and with any luck it can also help Mia. Again, we are sending you our best vibes (and lots of hugs)!

Aimee

[Mama_Zookeeper]

Aimee, thanks for passing on that info, I will talk with the oncologist if & when we ever get there Do you know anything about supplementing vitamin C to boost her immune system? I am not sure on the dosage and she is 26 lbs.

How is Mr. B doing...I think about him every day! Give him lots of kisses from me!

Dora

[mancin]

Dora,

I don't know how I missed this thread! Sorry to hear about Mia! My thoughts are with you and Tyson and I are sending Mia some boxer healing vibes!!

[Aimee]

Originally Posted by Mama_Zookeeper

Do you know anything about supplementing vitamin C to boost her immune system? I am not sure on the dosage and she is 26 lbs.

How is Mr. B doing...I think about him every day! Give him lots of kisses from me!

Dora

Dora,

Vitamin C is water soluble meaning it is readily excreted from the body. Dosing is typically to bowel tolerance. Baxter has been on an upwards of 2000mg a day with no difficulties but currently is at 1000mg and is holding steady at around 75lbs. Start lower at around 250mg and gradually increase. Make sure you use a good source of Vitamin C!

Baxter is still hanging tough. Thank you for asking. He sends Mia lots of slurps and wiggles

Aimee

[Mama_Zookeeper]

Well, we are doing the vitamin C supplements and she is doing alright. The 250 mg seems to be ok, though the first day she had very watery diarrehea and was hobbling & miserable. We put her on some boiled chicken and rice (the first night all I had was jasmine rice at home and she LOVES this!) We are now doing brown rice and chicken. Rocky is eating the same as she is...he is totally into equality!

The vet visit was ok. BLood work was done (results should be given tomorrow or Monday). He also had a chest film done and will schedule an MRI if anything comes up in the bloodwork or film. He stated she looks health over all, and did recomend we have the other two growths removed ASAP.

He did seem concerned about her raw diet and suggested kibble if she needs to be on meds (you were right on Aimee about the Tagment). He suggested Chicken Soup or Eagle Pack Holistic. I am not too sure about this and will have to read some more. Whatever I feed Mia I will need to feed Rocky as well, and even the cats. His reasoning is that having a more "solid" source of protein would be more beneficial. He did agree that IF we switched to kibble we could also home cook. He was very happy to know she is already taking the vitamin C, and was suggestive that I also feed more oil in her diet (cod liver or salmon). I am still not 100% comfortable with this.

Right now I am just happy we made it to the appointment. Anyone out there switched foods for an illnes...did the switch become permanent? Thank You for all the vibes.

Dora