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Salivary Mucocele in Dogs

An oral or salivary mucocele refers to a swelling of the soft connective tissues in the dog's mouth. The swelling appears like mucus-filled sack, and is more than three times as likely to form in dogs than in cats. However, all dog breeds are susceptible to oral and salivary mucoceles. Treatment is generally successful and involves draining the fluid and prescription antibiotics.

If you would like to learn more about how this condition affects cats, please visit this page in the petMD health library.

Symptoms and Types

Some of the most common signs of oral and salivary mucoceles are:

• Facial swelling
• Oral pain and swelling
• Blood in the saliva
• Difficulty swallowing
• Eye pressure and pain
• Respiratory disease or difficulties breathing
• Soft, developing masses in the neck (cervical)

Causes

Bite wounds, ear canal surgery, blunt trauma to the face or head, and a blunt or foreign object penetrating inside the dog's mouth are all potential causes for oral and salivary mucoceles.

Additionally, while any breed is susceptible to forming these areas of swelling, the following breeds are more susceptible:

• Miniature Poodle
• German Shepherd
• Dachshund
• Australian Silky Terrier

Diagnosis

The diagnosis will be based on a physical examination and a thorough history of your dog. There are rarely any laboratory or blood work abnormalities associated with this condition, and imaging is rarely used to diagnose oral or salivary mucoceles. The primary objective is to rule out any abnormal cell development, abscesses from infected teeth, or other more serious causes of the inflammation.

Treatment

Antibiotics are often used to help reduce inflammation and to help prevent the formation of an infection. The most common form of treatment is the non-surgical draining of the swollen area(s).

Living and Management

Cleaning the area surrounding the drain placement and changing bandages daily will help your dog recover quickly, as well as reduce the likelihood of any infection developing. Overall, the prognosis of this medical condition is positive.

Prevention

There are currently no known preventative measures for oral or salivary mucoceles.