Has your pug been diagnosed with Mast Cell Tumors (MCTs)? It's a scary
situation to be in for a dog-owner. When Sierra, our 6 year-old fawn
pug, was diagnosed with a possible MCT, we had no idea what to expect.
We only knew that our vet had found CANCER on our dog... the BIG 'C'!!
To
make matters worse, we didn't know how serious it was. We had to wait
for lab results which wouldn't come back for days! Luckily for us, we
were told that Sierra had a "Grade 1" MCT, which meant that we'd need
to surgically remove the tumor from her skin. Other than that, her
prognosis was excellent.
What is a Mast Cell Tumor?
Mast
Cell Tumors, or MCTs, are often defined as "cancerous proliferations of
mast cells." A mast cell, also called a mastocyte, is a cell that is
found throughout the body that releases chemicals which help the dog
respond to inflammation and allergies. These cells are also involved in
healing wounds.
A study conducted at the University of Minnesota
showed that pugs have a higher chance of getting these tumors but that
the majority of the tumors that pugs develop tend to be benign. That's
good news to pug-owners worried about this disease!
Check Your Pug Frequently!
We
are constantly checking Sierra for any type of mole, lump, or
discoloration on her skin. If we find anything out of the ordinary, we
call our vet right away. Better to be safe than sorry! We've since had
a few other growths removed from her skin. All of them have been
benign. We've been fortunate! Make sure to check your pug for anything
out of the ordinary and contact your vet when you find something that
just doesn't seem right.
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