Expert: Jannie Balliett - 9/11/2009

Question
I have 4 Boxers and these bring it up to 7 that we have had in our life time. I've never had one with a mast cell tumor that I was aware of.My youngest (a rescue from SPCA) has a red welt like looking bump on his chest. It was aspirated but they will be doing a surgical removal tomorrow 9/11. I have read up and now believe it is a mast cell tumor since it was like a red bump bug bite and has now shrunk from it's original size. Do the benadryl and Vit C doses work for helping keep the tumors from reappearing? And can a mast cell be under the skin as well? At least 2 of my 4 have bumps under their skin that seem to move freely but in just that area. They do not move out of the location. What can I do to keep my dogs as free of these tumors as possible? Any other advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you

Answer
Read these to help understand:

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_mast_cell_tumors.html

http://www.alohamedicinals.com/mast.htm?source=google&gclid=CNLY8qfW6ZwCFSENDQod...

If it truly is a mass cell tumor, surgery and radiation therapy is required. They are caused by allergies, so you need to talk to your vet about allergy treatments for prevention.

Also the little bumps under the skin that move when you push them are normal. It is usually folliculitis.

http://www.justanswer.com/questions/1nqr9-boxer-dog-lumps-skin-just

(it also has links to go to that help)