Veterinary Guide to Canine Leiomyoma 2025 🩺🐶

By Dr. Duncan Houston BVSc

🧬 What Is a Leiomyoma?

A leiomyoma is a benign tumor arising from smooth muscle cells, most commonly in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract—stomach, intestines, and esophagus—but also seen in the uterus or vagina. Unlike malignant leiomyosarcoma, leiomyoma does not metastasize and generally has an excellent prognosis.

👥 Who Is Affected?

• Typically occurs in middle-aged to older dogs (>6 years) without a strong breed or sex predisposition in GI cases.
• Uterine/vaginal leiomyomas are seen in intact middle-aged to older females—often hormone-dependent.

⚠️ Clinical Signs

• GI leiomyomas: vomiting (sometimes blood), weight loss, gas, abdominal discomfort, palpable mass, tenesmus, hematochezia, rectal prolapse.
• Esophageal mass: regurgitation or difficulty swallowing.
• Reproductive tract: may cause vaginal discharge, mass prolapse, and infertility.

🔍 Diagnosis

1. History & exam: GI signs, regurgitation, reproductive history, intact status.
2. Bloodwork & urinalysis: Often normal; hypoglycemia may appear in GI cases.
3. Imaging:
   • X‑rays: mass effect or GI obstruction.
   • Ultrasound: well-demarcated smooth-muscle mass.
4. Contrast studies: Barium series to highlight GI masses if US is inconclusive.
5. Endoscopy: Visualizes mass and allows biopsy, but may miss deep layers.
6. Exploratory surgery and biopsy: Definitive diagnosis; histopathology differentiates leiomyoma from leiomyosarcoma or GIST.

⚙️ Treatment & Surgical Management

1. GI Tumors

• Surgical excision of mass ± partial organ resection with primary anastomosis.
• In esophageal cases, resection plus gastropexy may be needed.

2. Reproductive Tract

• Ovariohysterectomy (spay) with mass removal—often curative.
• Some vaginal tumors require episiotomy for complete excision.
• Spaying reduces hormonal stimulation and recurrence risk.

3. Adjunctive Therapies

• Radiation is rarely used if complete excision is not possible.
• Chemotherapy is generally unnecessary but may be used for atypical cases.

📈 Recovery & Prognosis

• GI: Full recovery is expected when the mass is fully removed. Temporary ileus or constipation may occur post-op.
• Reproductive: excellent long-term prognosis; most dogs remain asymptomatic.
• Minimal recurrence if complete excision; mortality is low.
• Follow-up: recheck incision, imaging; clients advised on diet and monitoring.

🏡 Home Care & Preventive Tips

• Restricted activity and bland diet post-surgery for 2–3 weeks.
• Monitor incision, GI signs, appetite, and elimination.
• Spay intact females to prevent uterine/vaginal leiomyomas.

📱 Ask A Vet Telehealth Support

• 📸 Share incision photos or videos of regurgitation, GI distress for remote assessment.
• 🔔 Get reminders for medications, feeding schedules, and follow-up imaging.
• 🩺 Virtual check-ins to adjust pain control, diet, and monitor recovery.

🎓 Case Spotlight: “Lucy” the Beagle

Lucy, a 9‑year‑old Beagle, presented with chronic vomiting and weight loss. Ultrasound found a 4 cm gastric mass. Exploratory surgery removed the lesion with a gastric wedge resection. Histopathology confirmed leiomyoma. She recovered with IV fluids, pain control, and a bland diet, and was back to normal by week 3. Ask A Vet supported the owner with feeding reminders and remote check-ins. Lucy remains symptom-free 24 months later with no recurrence 🌟.

🔚 Key Takeaways

1. Leiomyomas are benign smooth‑muscle tumors occurring in the GI or reproductive tracts.
2. Signs vary by location—vomiting, mass effect, regurgitation, discharge.
3. Diagnosis requires imaging and histopathology to rule out malignancy.
4. Surgical excision (± spay) is curative in almost all cases.
5. Ask A Vet telehealth offers remote monitoring, diet and medication coaching, and recovery support 📲

Dr Duncan Houston BVSc, founder of Ask A Vet. Download the Ask A Vet app today to guide your dog’s recovery from leiomyoma surgery—from wound care and feeding schedules to medication delivery and long-term check-ins 🐶📲