Boxer Dogs and Cancer
I have a 4
year old male boxer - our Vet took a sample of a small bug bite on his
stomach and said it had l to 2 mast cells in the sample - they said we
should have the area removed with a 2 inch radius - is this really
necessary as he already had a tumor removed 11 months ago that was a
grade l with Mast cells. If this area is removed - is there anything that
can be given to him to prevent any further growths in the future, i.e.
medication, food, herbs anything as I fear that they will want to take
many more chunks out of my dog to control these mast cells- which I
understand are common in boxers. Also is this similiar to basil cells
found in humans.
Mast cells are normal in all dogs. These cells produce histamine in response to irritation, such as insect bites. A pathologist expects to find mast cells at the site of a bug bite. Cancers are more common in Boxers than most other breeds of dogs.
Mast cell tumors are abnormal growths of the cells, as with all cancers. It is always wise to remove suspected cancers with a wide margin, to decrease the likelihood of leaving any cancer cells behind. Dogs known to have had cancer, should be fed good wholesome food, with little or no preservatives.
Certain vitamin supplementation may or may not be beneficial, depending on the completeness of the diet. I prefer to recommend specific diets and supplementations on a case by case basis, for all dogs and cancers are different. In general though, vitamin C is safe to supplement and beneficial to the immune system which fights cancers. One to two grams daily of active Vitamin C is a good start. Vitamin E is also beneficial for any disease involving the skin. Overdosing Vitamin E is detrimental, so care should be taken in dosing this vitamin. Most top brand dog foods have the appropriate amount of Vitamin E, and thus do not warrant supplementation.
Many herbal extracts and holistic medicines achieve testimonials, but few are proven. Many cancers can be treated with chemotherapy, just as in humans. These treatments need to be evaluated on a case by case basis.
The best protocol of dogs recovering from prior cancers, is to feed natural, wholesome, top name dog food. Avoid treats that may contain excessive preservatives and additives. Avoid excessive sunlight. Check your dog regularly for funny growths, and have your veterinarian examine at least annually. Such exams may include chest x-rays and blood panels.
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