I feel compelled to share with all of you what Chris and I have been going through the last three months.

We found a small, quarter-sized lump on our dog Walter's back one day. He was due for his annual checkup, so I mentioned it to the tech during his intake appointment. We thought it was probably a lipoma—a usually harmless lump of fatty tissue that grows under the skin. He already has a small lipoma on his chest, and the one on his back felt similar.

The vet suggested they aspirate the lump to make sure it wasn't anything concerning.

Unfortunately, she called later that afternoon to let us know it was a cancerous mast cell tumor. She explained that surgery to remove the tumor was the next best step. We were able to schedule the surgery within a few weeks of his checkup. After the procedure, she explained they would send the tumor off to a lab to determine its stage or grade.

A little over a week later, we were informed that it was grade 3. This is the highest grade and is defined as aggressive with a high metastatic rate, meaning these tumors have a poor prognosis and a high risk of spread.

We were devastated.

Our vet spoke to the oncologist at the lab that tested Walter's tumor, and they suggested having ultrasounds and aspirations of his spleen and liver to determine if the cancer had spread. If it had, depending on the area, we were told he had anywhere from four to twelve months left.

Chris and I went back and forth on the best next step. Luckily, we have a family member who is friends with a veterinary oncologist who used to be local to St. Louis but now practices in the Northeast. He agreed to look at Walter's lab results and provide input based on his experience. He had a much more optimistic take, and we felt a little better after receiving his interpretation.

​We decided to consult with a veterinary oncologist in person to get guidance that would give Walter the best possible shot.

Veterinary Specialty Services (VSS) has an office ten minutes from our house in Ballwin, and we already have a relationship with their Neurology department to manage our dog Stanley's idiopathic epilepsy. Our vet put in a referral. Unfortunately, after speaking to VSS, we learned they are short-staffed in their oncology department due to a doctor on maternity leave and wouldn't be able to get us in until November.

We knew we couldn't wait, so I reached out to Mizzou Veterinary Health Center.

They were able to get us in much quicker for an initial consultation. They provided a similar suggestion to the oncologist our vet consulted with: ultrasounds and aspirates to determine if the cancer had spread.

We also learned from the oncologist at Mizzou that there is not a great deal of research to help navigate the best course of treatment for subcutaneous mast cell tumors—despite how frequently dogs seem to get them. Treatment is usually based on that oncologist's experience within their practice and the oncologists they consult with.

I am happy to report that the cancer has not spread to the areas they scanned and tested.

However, due to the severity/high grade of his tumor, they strongly suggest chemotherapy and follow-up scanning to ensure there isn't cancer in his blood and to give him the best chance at having more years with us.

Chris and I never ask for help, but a few of you have already reached out and asked how you can support us.

Walter is now going through rounds of chemotherapy, blood testing, and rescanning.

We appreciate and love all of you.