Back in October of 2025 we found a bump on Dexters chest and set up a vet appointment to get it checked out. In the following days we noticed another bump on the top of his head. The vet immediately identified both bumps as mast cell tumors (MCT) and completed fine needle biopsies to double check on malignancy. When they came back malignant we immediately set up an appointment for surgery to get a better grasp on their staging / grading. A few days after the surgery we noticed another bump on his throat area and contacted the vet again. After performing another biopsy, our vet informed us this was also a MCT. We set up another surgery and told the vet to scan his whole body and remove anything they find. They found 4 more and removed them all.

Results came in a week later and we got what we thought was some good news. All the tumors were marked as low grade with low chance of spreading, though one tumor did not get clean margins. We planned to set up a final surgery to remove the remaining cancer, but after doing some research we realized we needed to get a biopsy of his regional lymph nodes to make sure nothing had spread. We thought of this as a precaution, but a week later we found out there was elevated mast cells in one of his lymph nodes.

Our vet referred us to an oncologist and we set up another appointment. When meeting with the oncologist she told us we need to remove the lymph nodes to get an accurate idea of the staging and to confirm metastasis. We set up the surgery for as soon as possible, but in the meantime found two new bumps. Dexter completed that surgery on February 10th, and it was a big one. He has been on a cocktail of painkillers and sedatives but has overall remained his normal spunky self. We are waiting on the results of that surgery and believe we have an idea of the path ahead for either result. There is a good chance of more testing to confirm further spread as well as possible chemo treatment.

We are doing everything in our power to stay on top of this and to keep Dexter with us for as long as possible. He is only 8 years old and we are hoping for many more years with our little black bean.

For anyone who knows us, we are very reluctant to ask for help, but we had a rough 2025 financially and have been feeling somewhat desperate at times. Over the course of these 4 months Dexter has had 3 surgeries, bloodwork panels, an emergency vet visit for torn stitches, and it has taken its toll on us financially and mentally. With that said, do not feel obliged to contribute, but we also hope this can serve to update our friends and family on Dexters situation. I will continue to update as we know more.

Thank you all, and hold you furry family member close for us.