Saliva Gland

And where was you today?!

Dobber was looking forward to chasing Ebby around! :wub:

It depends whats going on. There could be something going on in the gland or it could be a salivary mucocele.

If it's a mucocele, there's a constriction in the duct coming from the gland. (like a kink in a hosepipe) Saliva backs up and a swelling forms but infection may not be present. http://www.acvs.org/AnimalOwners/HealthCon...livaryMucocele/

Vicky's Ziggy had one. She decided to leave things be as he wasn't getting repeated episodes of infection, sure enough it went on it's own. (probably because the pressure over time expands the duct to release the constriction)

Our Tiger had one. He had his drained simply with a needle into the gland (which drained off clear saliva) and a short course of antibiotics.

Someone else in racing (Vicky will know) also had a dog with one, left it be and it went away on it's own.

If it's the gland itself, dogs can get mumps (Paramyxovirus infection) as it's caused by a virus there is no 'treatment' per se. The virus usually lasts 5-10 days BUT there is associated symptoms and I don't think it's technically wrong to give anti-biotics because secondary opportunistic bacterial infections can take advantage of a viral infection. Only thing with Midas is he doesn't, from your account seem to have other symptoms?

They can also get salivary gland infections due to problems in the mouth. Presume that's been ruled out.

Salivary glands can just get infected for the hell of it (bacterial infection) or because of something going on within the gland itself.

Apparently auto-immune can be a cause as well, dry mouth being another symptom but I presume that would be effecting more than one gland.

If he was one of mine Pat, and they was considering open surgery to remove the gland, I'd want a few questions answered:

Is it definately the gland and not a mucocele?

Is it worth drawing off some fluid from the gland and sending for cytological investigation?

The latter, I think could help you decide whether you go ahead with surgery.

Let me know how he gets on and sending him lots of best wishes here. :luck: :luck: