10 natural ways to help your pet diagnosed with a Mast Cell Tumor
What are Mast Cells?
Mast cells are immune cells found in connective tissue throughout the body. They contain histamine, heparin and other chemicals. They are part of the body’s first line of defense, inducing inflammation and releasing cytokines. These reactions recruit other immune cells and cause local tissue protective mechanisms in order to prevent pathogen invasion. Mast Cell derangement or hypersensitivity is associated with allergies and allergic reactions.
What are Mast Cell Tumors?
Mast Cell Tumors are the most common malignant skin tumor in dogs. Mast Cell Tumors commonly appear as a single, hairless, raised, pink “button” tumor on the skin. Unfortunately, Mast Cell Tumors are also excellent imposters. They can mimic other masses or lesions in, under, and on the skin. Aggressive Mast Cell Tumors tend to ulcerate and grow quickly. Approximately 20% of affected pets will have more than one Mast Cell Tumor.
What Causes Mast Cell Tumors?
A mutation of the c-kit gene has been shown to cause uncontrolled proliferation of mast cells leading to the development of Mast Cell Tumors in many dogs and cats. Certain breeds of dogs are predisposed to Mast Cell Tumors including Boxers, Boston terriers, English bulldogs, Pugs, French Bulldogs, Pit Bulls, Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels, Schnauzers, Staffordshire Terriers, Beagles, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Weimaraners, and Chinese Shar Peis, suggesting a genetic susceptibility. Many dogs that get Mast Cell Tumors have a history of chronic inflammation – skin infections, allergic dermatitis, food allergies or dysbiosis (leaky gut) for example.
How are Mast Cell Tumors Treated?
Conventionally, aggressive surgery is the first-line treatment for Mast Cell Tumors. For high grade, incompletely excised or unresectable Mast Cell Tumors, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and electrochemotherapy are commonly recommended. Stelfonta is a relatively new and novel treatment for Mast Cell Tumors. The active ingredient in Stelfonta (tigilanol tiglate) is a chemical extracted from the seeds of the Australian blushwood tree. Stelfonta is an escharotic compound injected directly into the Mast Cell Tumor. Supportive care with anti-histamines, such as Benedryl, is routinely recommended.
How does Traditional Chinese Medicine view Mast Cell Tumors?
In TCVM, Mast Cell Tumors represent Blood Stasis with an underlying deficiency in Qi, Blood, or Yin, and sometimes a Shao Yang disharmony. Blood Stasis resulting in Mast Cell Tumor formation is an impairment of circulation on the periphery (skin). Holistic therapies such as acupuncture, herbs and herbal formulas are used to normalize circulation, slow cancer cell proliferation, prevent metastasis, induce cancer cell death, and stimulate the immune system.
10 natural ways to help a dog diagnosed with a Mast Cell Tumor:
Feed a balanced, fresh, real food diet
Supplement Vitamin C
Supplement Vitamin D3
Give Quercetin to stabilize mast cell membranes
Add medicinal mushrooms such as Turkey Tail mushrooms
Supplement Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Add IP-6 (Inositol Hexaphosphate)
Give CBD
Choose herbs and herbal formulas such as Turmeric, Artemisia, and Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang with the help of a veterinary herbalist or holistic veterinarian.
Seek out acupuncture by a certified veterinary acupuncturist.
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