The Diagnosis: Mast Cell Tumor

The beautiful Pheona

What is a mast cell tumor? Mast cell tumors are a common form of skin cancer in dogs, with certain breeds being more susceptible than others. Pheona is a Mastiff/Boxer mix, making her more likely to develop one. "Mast cells are specialized cells that  normally are found distributed in the body and help the animal respond to inflammation and allergies." The problems with the tumors is that they release chemicals, especially when messed with. These chemicals, like histamines and prostaglandins, are normal but become toxic when the dog is exposed to them constantly.

Edited for public viewing. This isn't her best side.

Some of the tumors are not a problem but the one under Pheona's tail appears to be pretty aggressive. We first noticed it in October of 2013 and took her to see the vet immediately. They stuck a needle in it and said that it was nothing to worry about because it didn't drain any puss when punctured. At a later check up the vet noted it but didn't say there was anything to worry about. I had to take her in to the urgent care on July 2 because she was sick. She had diarrhea for a couple of days and she had blood in her last pooh. Because of the diarrhea she had been scooting her butt on the sidewalk and licking to clean up a LOT which tore up the bump so bad it was bleeding too.

I am really poor and had no money so I borrowed some from my mom and I took her to the SPCA animal hospital in San Francisco. The doctor said the diarrhea was no big deal, he prescribed her some medicine and a special kind of dog food to firm things up for her. He was really worried about the bump under her tail since it had gotten so much bigger since we noticed it. They aspirated the tumor, looked at it under the microscope and came back with the news that she has a very aggressive, probably stage 2 or better, cancer. Normally the first step would be to remove the tumor. That might not be possible for Pheona because of the location. It is touching her anus and they fear she wouldn't heal after surgery.

Because I am so poor the hospital gave me an application for an emergency grant to help pay for all this (first visit was $300+), which I am grateful for. It could help cover up to 80% if I qualify, I should. The only drawback from that is, they get the final say in what treatment she gets. If they think surgery is a bad risk they might only pay for the drugs/treatments to keep her comfortable until she dies. That would be really sad. Pheona is my Service Dog and always with me.

Before I even left the animal hospital I was researching mast cell tumors. I found a few pages where people claim to have good success treating MCTs with cannabis oil. I know what kind of miracles cannabis can do for seizures and there is lots of anecdotal evidence of people claiming to have cured themselves or their pets of cancer. Since the doctors don't think surgery is an option I don't see what it could hurt. At the very least it will make the end of her life more comfortable.

One of the forums I found where someone treated their boxer's MCT with cannabis and suggests starting with the grain of rice size bit and slowly increasing her dose as she can tolerate it until she is taking 1/2 gram per day orally. Recommended for full grown humans is 1 gram per day and she is half that size. It took me 2 days to get her oil ready for her and she started taking it July 5th. I didn't get a photo that day but I got one the second day of her treatment. I will be taking a photo every day (or as close to every day as I can) to share her progress. We might try to start adding a topical dose as well.

I have believed for a long time in the healing power of cannabis and it is time for that faith to be tested by me personally. I am really hoping that her tumor responds to the cannabis oil and disappears forever. I am not ready to let my girl go just yet, we have more adventures to embark on together....