Hi All,

I have an 8-year-old male border collie mix who recently underwent surgery to remove mast cell tumors. He had two small tumors (less than the size of a marble) on his right hind leg, both of which were successfully removed, and biopsies indicated the surrounding tissue was unaffected. I have done a little research since then, and have learned that unfortunately these tumors are likely to re-occur. I am aware of the overall health and well-being benefits of a proper diet, and thus he has been transitioned to 50% raw food. The remaining 50% comes from grain-free kibble, and small additions like raw egg yolks from free-range chickens, fish oil, raw almonds, etc.

I am looking for any information I can find on the prevention of these tumors. I of course check him regularly to ensure they are not re-occurring, but I would like to be doing everything I can to prevent that re-occurrence as well. If anyone knows anything at all in this regard, please do share.

Thanks so much for your help. My companion and I are both grateful :)

I really recommend you begin a relationship with an integrative vet (if you don't have one already....visit www.ahvma.org to find one). There are lots of great things that can help reduce mast cell recurrence:

1. don't vaccinate (or do anything else to unnaturally stimulate your dog's immune system) ever again. Titer instead.

2. add homeopathic Apis Mel ("nature's Benedryl") to reduce mast cell degranulation and histamine release.

3. eliminate pro-inflammatory carbohydrates (you're doing this by eliminating the grains in his diet).

4. consider TCM's Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang (or the formula that your vet says fits his constitution).

5. add in cellular antioxidants: grape seed extract (not grapefruit seed :) and pine bark extract (also called Pycogenol).

6. EFA's, specifically fish oil (krill oil is my favorite).

There are lots of other options, but these come to mind as a basic approach for a mast cell patient. Good luck!

Hi Dr. Becker,

Thanks so much for your response. I will be looking into those suggestions immediately. If I may respectfully ask - is grape seed extract not harmful to dogs? I know that whole grapes are, as I have seen you comment on this in some of your videos here on the site, but that is interesting if the seed extract is fine for canine consumption.

I lucked out and found a holistic vet within 15 minutes of me! Do you think it is a problem to switch vets in the middle of this medical situation that my dog (Rocky) is in?

Anyone else, please feel free to chime in here as well - I know that Dr. Becker is a busy woman!

Good question: resveratrol (made from grape skins) and grape seed extract are not harmful....wise to question it, though!

Don't think of another opinion or viewpoint as "switching vets," think of it as adding more wise counsel....I believe one can never have too many wise chiefs in their tribe.

I will tell you that sometimes vets do get a little nervous about "sharing" clients, but think of it this way: your cardiologist doesn't argue with your eye doctor, who doesn't argue with your dentist, who doesn't argue with your dermatologist....they are all a part of your healthcare team that creates wellness in your body. The same is true with your pet. At Natural Pet, we encourage every pet owner to have an ER vet lined up (before a crisis occurs), a GP, as well as a "lifestyle" veterinarian (that's me :), and there's no reason at all we can't all get along. If your local vet doesn't play nice with others, it may be time for you to move along....you're evolving faster then he/she is and you must be your pet's advocate, not your vet's best friend.

Dr. Becker,

I am wondering if you could help me out one more time. I have noticed another small lump on my dog's leg, and much to my disappointment, it has tested positive for mast cells (this is a second tumor that has arisen about 6 weeks after the initial surgery). My vet said she will be speaking with the oncologist about a 'mast cell vaccine' that is apparently fairly new.

I realize you said avoid vaccines, but given my pet clearly has a tendency to get these, I am wondering if this should be something we should consider. I have looked online, and have found very little information on this vaccine. Do you have any information on it, or input into this situation?

I am sorry to ask you for more help, but I am really beginning to worry about my dog's long-term health. Thanks again for your help.

All vaccine questions really are 'risk vs. benefit' questions. The mast cell vaccine is brand new....just released this year. I wish I could say vets have used it long enough to recognize the side effects, long term consequences and possible interactions of this vaccine....but we haven't. Many vaccines are created to fill a niche; the population demands it, so manufacturers produce it (hence the 'dog flu' vaccine just released). I wish your vet could tell you that providing the mast cell vaccine will eliminate further mast cell tumors, but they can't promise this. Nor can they whole heartedly predict the risks associated with the vaccine (it's just too new on the market for vets to have adequate experience with what to expect). If you don't mind your baby being a "guinea pig," then the vaccine is a possibility, but in most situations, I recommend waiting to see what vets learn about a hot, new release before offering your family member as a test subject. This advice probably doesn't help much in you making your decision, but most importantly my belief is to 'do no harm,' and I can't promise the vaccine won't negatively impact your pet's health.