Mast cell tumours are the most common malignant skin tumour in dogs. Grading guides treatment intensity, and welfare-focused management balances treatment benefit against burden.
Mast cell tumour management spans from straightforward surgical cure for low-grade lesions to complex multi-modal treatment for high-grade disease with metastatic potential. Welfare considerations differ at each stage: low-grade tumour excision is a brief welfare impact for long-term security; high-grade tumour management involves extended treatment with potential side effects that must be weighed against the prognosis. The welfare-focused conversation with owners centres on treatment burden versus benefit — aggressive chemotherapy for advanced mast cell disease may extend life by months at the cost of significant treatment-related side effects. Palliative approaches that prioritise comfort are welfare-positive choices that should be presented alongside curative intent options.