CNBNews

Peyton loves taking a ride in the van

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (August 17, 2021)--Monday night we headed to Dr. Ed  Sheehan's Veterinary Clinic in Fairview to have Peyton's remaining stitches and staples removed. As you can imagine Peyton was very happy to get those annoying things out of her rear hip as was Connie and I.  With the stitches gone so is the  E collar.  What made us even happier was the news that Peyton and me can get back to our daily two-mile walk. 

The results of her biopsy were also released last night. Dr. Sheehan said the tumor was malignant but he said, "it is a low grade malignancy."  Meaning the chance of it coming back "is one in a thousand."  Dr. Sheehan cautions us that he can't guarantee that someday it might return. 

A Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory report revealed Canine cutaneous mast cell tumors (MCTs) are one of the most commonly diagnosed cutaneous malignant neoplasms in dogs. Approximately 90% of all canine MCTs are low grade according to the recent 2-tier grading system. Surgical excision remains the treatment of choice for low-grade MCTs.

Sheehan further explained that we were lucky to catch it when we did. It was a fast-growing malignancy and the size of the lump went from a dime to a silver dollar within a month. He said, "The tumor was deep into her body down to the muscle in her rear leg but it didn't spread into the muscle.  The biopsy report said the tumor did not affect any other areas of her body such as her spleen, liver,  gastrointestinal tract, or bone marrow. All good signs."  

In late June Connie found the tumor when she was petting Peyton. The outcome of this story would have been different if she hadn't found it when she did. 

According to the Penn Veterinary Hospital website mast cell tumor (MCT) represents a cancer of a type of blood cell normally involved in the body’s response to allergens and inflammation. MCT is the most common skin tumor in dogs. Certain dogs are predisposed to MCT, including flat-faced breeds such as Boston Terriers, Boxers, Pugs, and Bulldogs, as well as retriever breeds, though any breed of dog can develop MCT.

The plan for the future is to have her blood tested once a year. If any danger signs appear in those tests we will proceed accordingly. Peyton was seven years old in February. Hopefully, she has another seven years ahead of her. We only had one dog live to 15, that was Nikki.  We like to thank Dr. Sheehan and his staff for the care and love they gave to Peyton.  We like to thank them too for answering all our questions and being there whenever we needed their expertise during this time.

Peyton said thanks to…Woof!

People who never owned a pet do not understand how attached a person becomes to their fur child. In some cases, that pet is the only friend or family member that an individual might have. When they get sick or die the hurt the person feels is beyond description. The pain goes deep into your soul.  Sadly pets do not live long enough. Because they are only here for a short time makes it even harder when they get ill. Thank you to everyone who offered their prayers and kind words of encouragement. It meant a lot to Connie and me. 

RELATED: 

• Peyton and Me Meandering Through the Streets of South Jersey (Gloucester City, Chapter I)
• Peyton and Me Meandering Through the Streets of South Jersey (Brooklawn Chapter II)
• Peyton and Me Meandering Through the Streets of South Jersey (Gloucester City Chapter III)
• Peyton and Me Meandering through the streets of South Jersey (Gloucester City Chapter IV)
• Peyton and Me Meandering Through South Jersey (Gloucester City Chapter V)
• Peyton and Me Meandering Through SJ (Brooklawn/Gloucester City)Chapter VI
• Peyton and Me Meandering Through S.J. (Gloucester City, Mt. Ephraim) Chapter VII
• Peyton and Me Meandering Through Gloucester City, Port Royal, VA., and Hilton Head Island, SC (Chapter VIII)
• Peyton and Me Meandering through Gloucester City's Proprietors Park /Freedom Pier, (IX)
•  Peyton and Me Meandering through Gloucester City, and Haddon Lake, Audubon (Chapter X) 
• Peyton and Me Meandering: So Where Is That Black Dog? (Chapter XI )

• PEYTON AND ME (XII) Good News and Bad in Biopsy Report