Has your dog been diagnosed with a salivary mucocele? If so, you're probably wondering what exactly that is and how it will affect your dog. A salivary mucocele in dogs is a build-up of saliva that has escaped from a damaged salivary gland or duct and is surrounded by inflamed tissue. This article will explore the normal anatomy of the 4 major pairs of salivary glands in dogs as well as the symptoms and treatment options for a salivary mucocele.
What are the major salivary glands in dogs?
Dogs have 4 major pairs of salivary glands:
1) Parotid glands: overlies the external ear canal
2) Mandibular glands: found in the neck region, beneath the angle of the jaw
3) Sublingual glands: located beneath the tongue
4) Zygomatic glands: reside in the periorbital fat beneath the eye and behind the zygomatic arch
Saliva produced in these glands will travel through ducts to its destination in the mouth.
What is a salivary mucocele in dogs?
A salivary mucocele is the most common salivary gland disorder in dogs and is an accumulation of saliva that has leaked from a damaged salivary gland or duct and is surrounded by inflamed tissue. The most commonly affected glands are the mandibular and sublingual salivary glands. Saliva leaking into the surrounding tissue can cause irritation and inflammation. The result is fibrinous granulation tissue that lines and encapsulates the mucocele.
In the majority of cases, the cause of a salivary mucocele in dogs is unknown and never identified. Possible causes however include trauma, foreign bodies, salivary duct obstruction, and inflammation.
The German shepherd dog and poodle are the breeds most often affected.
What are the symptoms of a salivary mucocele in dogs?
The most common clinical symptom of a salivary mucocele is swelling or mass around the affected salivary gland. The size of the mucocele can range from small and barely noticeable to large and debilitating. In some cases, the mucocele may rupture and release its contents into the surrounding tissue, causing even more irritation. Other potential clinical symptoms include oral bleeding, difficulty eating (dysphagia), difficulty breathing (dyspnea), third eyelid protrusion, and bulging eyes (exophthalmosis).
How is a salivary mucocele in dogs diagnosed?
A salivary mucocele is typically diagnosed based on clinical signs and physical examination findings. Physical examination findings may reveal the presence of a soft, painless mass in the region of the affected salivary gland.
Your veterinarian may also recommend additional diagnostic tests such as a fine needle aspirate for cytology to confirm the diagnosis. This procedure involves taking a small cellular sample from the mass and evaluating it under the microscope. Rarely are other diagnostic tests required.
What is the treatment for a salivary mucocele in dogs?
A sialectomy is the treatment for salivary mucocele in dogs. This procedure is the surgical removal of the affected salivary gland. The entire inflamed tissue surrounding the mucocele is removed during this surgical procedure.
Drainage of a mucocele alone is not effective as a long-term therapy as there is a high risk of recurrence. The removal of salivary glands following repeated drainage attempts may be more difficult owing to scar tissue and adhesions.
What is the prognosis for dogs with a salivary mucocele?
If the affected salivary gland is completely removed, the prognosis for dogs with salivary mucoceles is excellent. The surgical procedure has low rates of recurrence when done properly.
If you notice your dog having any of the symptoms we’ve mentioned above or if they show signs of pain when eating or drinking, be sure to contact your veterinarian right away. It is important not to wait until the salivary mucocele has become advanced and debilitating. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to ensuring a good prognosis for your furry friend.