Mysti abdominal Ultrasound results

[petJill13.8]

Update Monday 4/20/09
Mysti went in at 9:30 am and came home at 2:30 pm and slept till 5 pm.
Ultrasound went well and we now know that some parts of her are healthy ... lungs are fine, kidney ok and bladder ok. It was hard to get to the lumps/bumps but a biopsy was sent off. So we wait for the results and then weigh our options. She has bloody discharge now and will remain on Simplicef 100mg for awhile longer. I am so glad I kept all the "old rug covers" I had made for our previous dog Jill (who had mobility problems with bleeding paws) since they all came out today! Although she was "spaced out " for quite awhile, she seems more comfortable after she ate. A restful nights should do her good. Will update again after lab report is received. Thanks for the email and the info of vaginal tumors
< http://www.vsso.org/Vaginal_Tumors.html>
It's encouraging to find that numerous vaginal tumors are benign and interesting that Boxers have a breed predisposition to certain tumors.
4/24/09 Friday pm -- Lab report back. Vaginal tumor biopsy is the most common tumors of the tubular genitalia called Fibroleimyoma. Will have to look for more info on this but the short explanation says "neither malignant nor wholly autonomous, being in some unknown manner, endocrine- dependent." Definition Help- can someone put this in other terms? In any case there are multiple lumps in a spot too difficult to remove without jeopardizing her health. So we plan to take a "wait and see" approach. If they grow and block something, we'll have to make other decisions then. We will most likely be scheduling "additional breast lumps" removal for mid June. So all in all the outcome of the test is not without worry but better than it might have been had there been spread of breast cancer or other malignancy. Thanks for your support.
Mysti's Mom

[GabrielDeafBlindPupFamily]

MystiMom, I mercked it and nothing came up. Good news about the non-malignancy though.
Okay found a website written in Chinese,I think, calls it a parapelvic cyst. There's another site that calls it a genital tract tumor in the dog and cat and the site has it in a sow's ear??
Found another good site, calls them uterine fibroids. Pretty good site:

http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictio ... oleiomyoma

Says surgery is the definitive treatment. That may be the site you found. Says you can ask questions and they will answer! I love those sites!

Man, your Mysti and YOU have had quite a time!

[CarolC]

"neither malignant nor wholly autonomous, being in some unknown manner, endocrine- dependent." Definition Help- can someone put this in other terms?

I don't really understand it either, but the endocrine dependent part sounds important.

[Bobbie]

I'm not a vet or pathologist, but I think they are saying it isn't malignant (i.e., doesn't spread to other organs) but is not totally benign, which usually means its growth in its location can cause a problem but it won't spread. Autonomous could mean that, or it could mean that it doesn't grow on its own, it is dependent on something else. Endocrine-dependent means it responds to hormones but it sounds like they don't know how or to which, so maybe that's what they mean by not totally autonomous. (It seems an odd word to use.)

This is the kind of question to ask the vet, though... don't just take a biopsy report and keep your mouth closed; if you don't understand what it means, get the answers!

[petJill13.8]

Thanks for the help with the definition.
Bobbie --- your "question advice" is well taken. I delivered a note to the Vet today. It is edited below.
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I have been trying to find out more about Mysti's tumors on the internet. Found a helpful source through handicapped Pets. < http://www.vsso.org/Vaginal_Tumors.html>
It's encouraging to find that numerous vaginal tumors are benign and interesting that Boxers have a breed predisposition to certain tumors.
The short explanation of Fibroleimyoma. says "neither malignant nor wholly autonomous, being in some unknown manner, endocrine- dependent." To find out more I tried
Search topic <fibroleiomyoma endocrine dependent>
I saw that some human female uterine tumors are hormone susceptible.
<http://jcem.endojournals.org/cgi/content/full/89/7/3183>
Not sure that this would hold true for canine tumors.
Since an endocrinologist works on improving medical problems with precise doses of medicine, could we look at blood work or other tests to see if some hormone imbalance, thyroid condition, or other organ malfunction is affecting the growth of these fibroleiomyoma tumors. In short, might there be some pills/ medicine available to halt the progression of these tumors or shrink them, since the tumors are not in a good spot to operate. Your thoughts on this matter would be much appreciated. Thanks.
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PS... The surgical possibility of cracking her pelvis to reach the area is NOT an acceptable option to us.
PS (2)... I was wondering if male hormones like Testosterone might be worth trying to slow or stop the growth of fibroleiomyoma tumors. I'll ask when I talk to the vet. Thanks for your support and help. Mysti's Mom

[petJill13.8]

Hi
Back from trip to see family and friends. Mysti had a long car ride with us and was a super traveller! She did well adjusting to kids and adults in several households but eating was off ...possibly due to stress. We have been home 10 days and eating is still less than 50%. The addition of goodies ... chicken pieces, cream cheese, table scraps, chicken broth, etc to dry food and moist dog food packet has not increased her interest. Her energy level remains ok on walks. BM frequency ok but smaller and harder than usual. Water intake better in evening than in the day.
A vet visit may be due if this continues.
As for tumor research, the vet left a message on our answering machine, that there was no know treatment to shrink her vaginal tumors.
However she is scheduled for additional "multiple breast lump/bump" removal in mid June. The lab report(s) from that will tell us if we are dealing with more benign tumors( similar to the large spleen tumor and the vaginal fibroleiomyoma) or return/spread (complex adenocarcinoma) of breast cancer. Not sure a dog her age could strand chimo/radation. So I may need help on other options ... ie how you keep a dog out of pains, comfortable and reasonably happy.
But for now I will work on increasing her appetite. Any suggestions?
Will update again later. Cheers, Mysti's Mom
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[critters]

For LOADS of food advice, see Gabrieldeafblindpupfamily's Tillman post on this bb; she's been working with this a long time.

There might not be a KNOWN treatment for the tumors, but you're willing to think outside the box. I'd consider a second opinion from a like-minded vet, perhaps an oncologist.

[GabrielDeafBlindPupFamily]

My guy ate his dinner last night, half a bun loaded with soaked kibble, some beef drippings, mac & cheese and a bake bean or twelve. He would not eat it this morning. One thing he will eat, but it takes a mess and a while, mix up canned food with some flour. Broth for liquid. Egg for binder, sneak some veggies in there, mashed, and kibble for chips. Make little balls and bake like a cookie. Make many many of them, because it's messy and a little involved. If my guy will eat those, anyone will. The only dog food I can get down him.
You can also try the easier remedies. Cottage cheese & kibble, soaked kibble in broth, rice and boiled chicken, baby food, lamb, chicken, peanut butter, veggies, mashed pots with everything mixed in like a shepherds pie you name it. My guy will eat a bite and back away.

[CarolC]

Not sure a dog her age could strand chimo/radation. So I may need help on other options ... ie how you keep a dog out of pains, comfortable and reasonably happy.

This is just my but for what it's worth, they say dogs do not have the degree of unpleasant side-effects from chemo that humans do. It might be something where you could try one round and if it seems too unpleasant then maybe discontinue it. They have good medications to handle the side effects, including an excellent new anti-nausea med called cerenia that lasts 24 hours and does not cause sedation. A lot of dogs who have chemo are older dogs. One advantage of working with an oncologist is they know all the ways to make the pet comfortable. They may be able to help you with the palliative care you want without treating the cancer aggressively if you decide that is the best course.

http://www.pawspice.com/Care%20Program.html
http://www.fightcaninecancer.com/index_ ... tment.html