emmad
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Post by emmad on Sept 8, 2008 2:39:09 GMT -5
Hiya, does anyone have any experience of blocked saliva glands in dogs? Mr Ratty (14 year old jack russ) had a couple of lumps come up in his neck about 3 months ago. We had a biopsy done (very worried it was lymphoma) which happily came back ok. Vet thought it was a saliva gland problem which had caused the lymph gland to react/enlarge. Anyway, 3 months on, and various vet trips/antibiotics/anti-inflammatories later and the problem is still here. His lymph gland appears to have gone down but his saliva gland is about the size of a golf ball and very hard. The vet thinks that the problem is that the saliva is not being released ino his mouth so the gland is just filling up. The good news is that as he's had the problem for so many weeks now, vet feels it is unlikely to be anything really sinister as he is so fit and healthy in every other way. It doesn't seem to bother him at all, but its hard to imagine that, at the size it is, it doesn't cause him any discomfort. At the moment we are trying some different anti-inflammatories, for 2 weeks, and if no improvement then we will have it scanned to see if we can identify it is saliva and maybe have it drained.
Anyone's dogs had anything like this before? Any tips/ideas/experiences would be appreciated.
Many thanks
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Post by vickyb on Sept 8, 2008 3:17:57 GMT -5
sorry can't really help as although River had one, very alarming how rapidly it appeared and how big it was, we were lucky in that it responded well to the antibiotics and and went down in just over a week. Trixie had one too and the threat of surgery seemed to work and it went down over the weekend before she was booked in on the mon. Both our dogs were younger so surgery was planned after 2-3 wks, but luckily not necessary. They were fine too, not off their food or anything.
Hope it sorts itself out
vicky
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Post by Jane and Sara on Sept 8, 2008 3:34:41 GMT -5
Not in dogs, but I had one once - was worried about a lump in my cheek until dentist told me what it was - massaged it now and then and it went after a few weeks - good luck,
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 8, 2008 13:24:45 GMT -5
My Bridge boy Merlin had this. It used to come and go and never bothered him at all, even though it was pretty big at times. I used to have it occasionally checked by the vet to make sure all was okay, but it never became a problem. Hope that helps - here's a pic showing how big it could get:  |
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emmad
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Post by emmad on Sept 9, 2008 5:14:21 GMT -5
Thanks for your replies. KayB, can I ask you, was Merlin's lump really hard or did it feel liquidy? My terrier's feel rock hard.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 9, 2008 5:23:55 GMT -5
No, definitely different then - Merlin's felt like tightly-packed fluid if that makes sense. It could be expressed with a needle and the vet would sometimes drain some off to reduce the size, just to make him more comfortable. I hope you sort out your little fellow soon - let us know how you get on.  |
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Post by vickyb on Sept 11, 2008 17:10:31 GMT -5
Rivers felt rock hard, like a piece of bone, hard to believe it came up and then went so quickly.
Vicky
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emmad
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Post by emmad on Sept 13, 2008 6:23:29 GMT -5
Rivers felt rock hard, like a piece of bone, hard to believe it came up and then went so quickly. Vicky Thanks for that, its reassuring to hear someone else has known one to be rock hard, although it is still a worry. In about 10 days he is having an ultra sound on it, to try to find out if it is liquid in there. Will keep you posted, thanks again x |
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emmad
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Post by emmad on Oct 23, 2008 6:47:03 GMT -5
Hi again, just to let you know, we went for the ultra sound which showed that the lump was made up of several pockets of fluid. so he had alot drained and sent off to the lab. The results have shown no sign of cancer, or infection, OR SALIVA!!! So, the vet now thinks maybe he has a foreign body in there to which his body is reacting to .
Anyway, we have been referred to a specilist, who we are seeing on monday and if they feel he needs an op, it will be done that afternoon. (Mr Ratty is not insured, and they have estimated the bill to be.....£2,000!!).
I hope the little man doesn't have to have an operation, but if thats whats needed to sort this out, so be it.
Thanks for your concerns x
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Post by vickyb on Oct 23, 2008 7:20:33 GMT -5
 That it's not cancer :(about the cost Here's hoping he doesn't need the op but if he does that it all goes well, good thoughts speeding your way
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Post by Carol 47 on Oct 23, 2008 8:46:55 GMT -5
That is such brilliant news that the results have not turned up anything nasty with little Mr Ratty,and, must be such a relief for you too. Heres hoping, and praying that this can be sorted out for him without the cost being as high as they have estimated eh. I will so keep him in my prayers on Monday that all goes well for him, and, that he is totally sorted out, Bless Him . Carol xxx |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2008 14:25:01 GMT -5
Excellent news that the only real worry is cost. Mind you, the cost is pretty  ! Will keep everything crossed Mr Ratty doesn't need an op and is soon home and comfy with you |
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