SierraThePug.com

Mast Cell Tumors and Your Pug

Has your pug been diagnosed with 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?

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 published in Veterinary and Comparative Oncology (Volume 3, Number 1, March 2005) showed that pugs are predisposed to MCTs -- they have a higher chance of getting these tumors -- but that the majority of them appear 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 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!

Links to MCT Resources