| In a salivary mucocele (or sialocele), mucoid saliva accumulates in the subcutaneous tissue after damage to the salivary duct or gland. This is the most common salivary gland disorder of dogs. While any of the salivary glands may be affected, the sublingual and mandibular glands are involved most commonly. Usually, the saliva collects at the intermandibular or cranial cervical area (cervical mucocele). It may also collect in the sublingual tissues on the floor of the mouth (ranula). A less common site is in the pharyngeal wall. |
| The cause may be traumatic or inflammatory blockage or rupture of the duct of the sublingual, mandibular, parotid, or zygomatic salivary gland. Usually, the cause is not determined, but a developmental predisposition in dogs has been suggested. |
| Signs depend on the site of saliva accumulation. In the acute phase of saliva accumulation, the inflammatory response results in the area being swollen and painful. Frequently, this stage is not seen by the owner, and the first noticed sign may be a nonpainful, slowly enlarging, fluctuant mass, frequently in the cervical region. A ranula may not be seen until it is traumatized and bleeds. A pharyngeal mucocele may obstruct the airways and result in moderate to severe respiratory distress. |
| A mucocele is detectable as a soft, fluctuant, painless mass that must be differentiated from abscesses, tumors, and other retention cysts of the neck. Pain or fever may be present if the mucocele becomes infected. A salivary mucocele usually can be diagnosed by palpation and aspiration of the characteristic golden or blood-tinged, viscous saliva. Usually, careful palpation with the animal in dorsal recumbency can determine the affected side; if not, sialography may be helpful. |
| Surgery is recommended to remove the damaged salivary gland and duct. Cervical mucoceles can be managed with periodic drainage if surgery is not an option. Drainage, marsupialization, or gland removal has been recommended for treatment of ranulas. Complete gland and duct removal is recommended for pharyngeal mucoceles to avoid future life-threatening airway obstruction. |
