Thanks.
Champ is 13 1/2. He will be 14 in April, if he gets there.
Here is a link I thought I would share for all interested.
It lists the breeds more prone to Mast Cell Tumors and talks about the illness and prognosis. Funny that Maltese is not anywhere to be found there.
Champ had a Grade 2 Mast Cell. Not the worse but bordering on it as certainly not the best of the levels either.
Seems anywhere post 8 years of age to 10 is the time they develop.
Nasty thing that once out of control, causes vomiting, diarrhea and gastro issues such as ulcers.
Champ is on prednasone, benadryl and tagamet, all of which are referred to in the article.
Hope this helps others of us that may run into this "best friend's demon".
http://www.caninecancer.com/Mast.html
Wife and I talked.
We are going for the surgery.
I have a strong hope this time around, they will get a clean edge sample. If they do, good likelihood it won't return.
Just not sure I can prepare for the heartbreak to hear twice they didn't get it all.
Won't know until the lab results come back.