Mast cell tumors are one of the most common skin cancers in dogs. Early detection and appropriate treatment significantly improve welfare outcomes for affected animals.
Mast cell tumors can cause welfare impacts ranging from minimal (for low-grade, surgically cured tumors) to severe (for high-grade metastatic disease). The release of histamine and other inflammatory mediators from mast cell degranulation can cause acute discomfort, gastrointestinal ulceration, and systemic effects that are distressing. Surgical removal, while curative for many tumors, requires anesthesia and recovery. For dogs with aggressive MCTs, chemotherapy side effects including lethargy, gastrointestinal distress, and immunosuppression must be weighed against treatment benefits. Quality of life monitoring throughout treatment is essential. The development of targeted therapies has meaningfully improved outcomes and reduced treatment-related suffering for dogs with unresectable disease.