Seems in spite of regular and holistic vets, in spite of benadryl daily, Noni juice, prednasone and all sorts of supplemental powders added to a new raw food diet, Champ's Mast Cell tumor has recurred.
We knew the odds were it would return as they never were able to get enough clean tissue. Cancer cells were left behind and it was a matter of time.
We are going to try one more surgery on Thursday and hope that gets it all.
If it doesn't, I will be faced with a tough decision in a couple of months if and when it will return.
Until then, I have to try.
I never gave the chemo or radiation a thought as don't want him to suffer while on chemicals in his body curing one problem and killing him from another.
I am hoping for the best but preparing for the worse.
Here is my buddy in his better days.

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Thoughts & prayers on the way.
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Good luck on the upcoming surgery.
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Hope the best for you and Champ
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Prayers sent Carlos.
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In our thoughts and prayers Carlos.
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Prayers for you and Champ-the best possible outcome for Thursday.
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Prayers sent, keeping your head high and your hopes up
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Prayers sent for Champ
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Thoughts & prayers on the way.
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Carlos, seems like too many of us are going through this over the past few months. Best wishes and prayers sent from the family to yours.
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Thanks to all for the kind words, thoughts and prayers.

I am so bummed out right now.
First, financially, this is a tremendous drain at this moment.
Beyond that and more important, poor guy is getting split open from the top of his back to the center of his chest/stomach, again, for a second time in two months. It really sucked to see that scar on him the first time around. After they cut all the skin containing cells, they stretch and sew the gap. Only thing that consoles me is he faired really, really well and was up and running as if nothing happened within a few hours of surgery.
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I can't imagine going through that. I've got him in my mind.
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Best of luck with your buddy, Carlos.
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Just communicated with the holistic vet.
He recommends I don't go through with the surgery.
Suggests low level laser treatment as he is convinced as aggressive as this tumor is acting, it will only come back in a couple of months again.
This just plain sucks!
Everyone has a darn opinion and none of them can get their thoughts to align.
Man I am frustrated.
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My thoughts and prayers are with you and Champ.
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Thoughts and prayers sent.
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Dang, I'm awfully sorry to hear about this. Hope everything goes okay.
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Beautiful Dog, Carlos. I have an Older (13 Years) Shih Tzu who is starting to have some health problems. We all love our dogs and hate to see them suffer. Thoughts & Prayers Sent, Brother, For You & Champ.
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Thanks.
Champ is 13 1/2. He will be 14 in April, if he gets there.
Here is a link I thought I would share for all interested.
It lists the breeds more prone to Mast Cell Tumors and talks about the illness and prognosis. Funny that Maltese is not anywhere to be found there.
Champ had a Grade 2 Mast Cell. Not the worse but bordering on it as certainly not the best of the levels either.
Seems anywhere post 8 years of age to 10 is the time they develop.
Nasty thing that once out of control, causes vomiting, diarrhea and gastro issues such as ulcers.
Champ is on prednasone, benadryl and tagamet, all of which are referred to in the article.
Hope this helps others of us that may run into this "best friend's demon".

http://www.caninecancer.com/Mast.html

Wife and I talked.
We are going for the surgery.
I have a strong hope this time around, they will get a clean edge sample. If they do, good likelihood it won't return.
Just not sure I can prepare for the heartbreak to hear twice they didn't get it all.
Won't know until the lab results come back.
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