Leiomyomas in Dogs and Cats
📝 Summary
Leiomyomas are benign smooth-muscle tumors of dogs and cats that arise in the uterus, gut, and vessels and are removed surgically. The rare malignant leiomyosarcoma is prevented by early excision, with follow-up anti-cancer medication when needed.
1 Symptoms
Any site with smooth muscle, including the uterus, vagina, vulva, stomach, intestinal wall, and blood-vessel walls, can develop a leiomyoma; they can also arise from immature cells near vessels where no muscle normally exists.
The tumor has a smooth surface, and its firmness depends on how much connective tissue it contains. Leiomyosarcomas, the rare malignant form, usually arise directly from smooth muscle and only occasionally from a benign leiomyoma.
2 Causes and Transmission
Leiomyomas are not contagious. They are benign smooth-muscle tumors of dogs and cats, more common in dogs, with no clear single cause.
The related leiomyosarcoma is malignant but uncommon; early removal of a benign leiomyoma helps prevent this change.
3 Diagnosis
A veterinarian locates the mass with palpation and imaging and confirms the type with a biopsy or fine-needle sample.
Tumors inside the vagina or other cavities can be hard to remove and need careful planning, so imaging guides the approach.
4 Treatment
Surgical removal is the standard treatment. Masses inside the vagina are the most difficult to excise completely.
Follow-up anti-cancer medication and regular re-checks are advised, since early detection and treatment give the best results. Protecting the wound from licking aids healing.
5 Prevention
There is no specific prevention, but timely removal of a detected leiomyoma avoids spread and the rare change to leiomyosarcoma.
Routine check-ups help find smooth-muscle lumps early, especially in older dogs.
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