Post Pet Hospital - Pet of the Month

Shovel Head

       This is Shovel Head, a 6 yr old female Boxer that was presented to Post Pet Hospital for the first time on July 26, 2011.  Shovel Head was brought in because she was having a prolonged heat cycle. Upon physical examination Dr. Grosser noted longstanding swelling of the vulva as well as some vaginal discharge, otherwise Shovel Head’s physical exam was normal. Dr. Grosser recommended an ovariohysterectomy (spay), with the initial diagnosis of vaginal prolapse or vaginal hyperplasia due to prolonged heat cycle or increased estrogen levels.

      Shovel Head’s owner consented to surgery.  We ran preanesthetic bloodwork that was normal and placed and intravenous catheter and started her on IV fluids.  The actual spay was uneventful with a normal appearance to the uterus and ovaries.  However the perivulvular swelling was discovered to be a large tumor, approximately 7 centimeters in diameter, attached to the outside of the vaginal tract.  This mass was large enough to cause interference with urination and some vaginal discharge.  The tumor was removed and Shovel Head recovered well from anesthesia and surgery.  The most common type of tumor that presents like this is a benign tumor from the muscle of the vaginal tract called a leiomyoma.  We do not expect any reoccurrence of this mass.  Shovel Head is enjoying a happy carefree life now.