What is Salivary Gland Swelling?
The most common type of salivary gland swelling happens when salivary mucoceles form near an affected gland. These mucoceles are sometimes referred to as ranulas or salivary cysts. When a gland is damaged, usually from trauma, it can begin to leak saliva into surrounding tissue. The saliva accumulation irritates the tissue, causing an inflammatory response to wall off the collection of fluid. A salivary fistula is another cause of salivary gland swelling. Once again, trauma to the gland causes an excess of saliva to be produced, which can prevent wounds in the mouth from healing. A fistula (opening) can then develop at the wound site. Both of these conditions can range in severity, from mild to life-threatening.
The salivary glands produce saliva which assists the digestion process by lubricating chewed food. Cats have five different salivary glands including the mandibular, molar, parotid, sublingual and zygomatic. These glands are located on either side of the mouth, under the tongue, and near the throat. Swelling of these glands usually indicates injury has happened, and can create other oral health problems.
Salivary Gland Swelling Average Cost
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Average Cost
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Symptoms of Salivary Gland Swelling in Cats
Symptoms and their severity will differ depending the location and size of the cyst or fistula. Many symptoms will deter the cat from eating, which can lead to dangerous weight loss. Symptoms to watch for include:
- Soft mass in the mouth
- Swelling of the face
- Ptyalism (drooling)
- Vomiting
- Dysphagia (difficulty eating)
- Loss of appetite
- Exophthalmia (eye bulging)
- Dyspnea (labored breathing)
- Lethargy
- Pain when touched near the mouth
- Fever
- Bad breath
Causes of Salivary Gland Swelling in Cats
While trauma may cause salivary gland swelling, often the condition appears spontaneously. There are many possible contributing factors to the swelling, though none are definitive. Potential causes include:
- Trauma to a gland or duct (often from a bite wound)
- Genetic predisposition
- Birth defect
- Cancerous growth
- Inflammatory blockage
- Prior surgery
- Abscess drainage
- Infection
Diagnosis of Salivary Gland Swelling in Cats
The veterinarian will need all records of the cat’s medical history. A physical examination will be performed with focus in and around the mouth. The vet will palpate the face, throat and neck to check for swelling and mucoceles. There are other oral issues that share some of the symptoms of salivary gland swelling that will have to be ruled out, including cancer, a foreign object, growths, or dental abscesses.
A fine needle aspiration biopsy is the best way to reveal if a mucocele is present. If the fluid removed is thick, golden and stringy, complete diagnosis can be made. X-rays, ultrasounds or computed tomography can confirm that no other underlying issue is present. Full blood work should be run, including a complete blood count and serum chemistry to show the overall health of the cat.
Treatment of Salivary Gland Swelling in Cats
Very mild cases of gland swelling may not require treatment. Advanced cases of mucoceles can interfere with the breathing process and prevent the cat from eating. Fistulas may become infected, which can then spread throughout the body.
Surgical Removal of the Gland
In both types of salivary gland swelling, removal of the damaged gland can completely eradicate the issue. Sometimes an entire chain of glands need to be removed, while other in other instances, only one gland needs to be excised. Incision size will depend on the affected gland. General anesthesia is required for this procedure. When a mucocele is present, it is lanced and drained before the gland is removed. It may help to also perform a marsupialization procedure while removing the gland.
Surgical Ligation
In the case of a fistula, surgically tying off the damaged duct can help to stop saliva leakage.
Antibiotics
If infection is present, or if surgery has been performed, antibiotics will be prescribed to eliminate harmful bacteria. Prescriptions generally last from one to four weeks.
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Recovery of Salivary Gland Swelling in Cats
After oral surgery, close monitoring will be needed to ensure the incision site heals without becoming infected. Soft foods may be necessary until the cat can properly chew. Administer all painkillers and antibiotics that have been prescribed by your veterinarian. Eliminating stress in the home and limiting your cat’s activity can promote quick healing.
Your cat will be scheduled for a post-surgery checkup appointment to ensure the incision is healing and that the surgery was performed correctly. If the surgical removal of the gland is successful, often no more related issues will occur in the cat. As the causes of salivary mucoceles and fistulas is vastly unknown, it is hard to prevent them from developing in the first place.
Salivary Gland Swelling Average Cost
From 243 quotes ranging from $200 - $800
Average Cost
$400
Top
Salivary Gland Swelling Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Russian Blue
Ponyo
7 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Weight Loss
Drooling
Swollen Gums
Choking
My moms cat has bad weight loss, sever bad breath, drooling and sometimes with blood in it. Pus and mucus coming out of her mouth but her gums are swollen and her teeth are nice. She eats but chokes trying to, what could this be?
June 15, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
It sounds like Ponyo has terrible dental problems that are affecting her life. She should be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible to help her with this problem. They'll be able to look at her mouth, determine what care she needs, and recommend treatment to help her get back to normal and be out of pain.
June 15, 2018
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Tortoiseshell & white
Lucky
17 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Prolific Drooling, Some Gingivitis
My 17yr old female cat had a full dental + extractions with root removal in August 2017 after about a 2months [it's difficult to be exact] she has been constantly drooling and I mean a lot [like a dog does] she had never been a big eater and whilst she initially put on some weight again she is now loosing it again. I have been back to my vet and so far all they seem to advise is another dental for gingivitis but it isn't that bad, her breath smells and she no longer eats her prescription kibble only seems to be surviving on the gravy from wet cat food or sometimes chicken but she will only now eat raw chicken. I have tried to contact the vet again [but he's away on holiday]. she's also deaf now at least I think so but otherwise affectionate, still has mad moments in the garden but I notice she's a little shaky not surprising as she's living on air [imo] she has metacam but I only give it if I know for certain that she's eaten enough to line her stomach. Could the surgery have caused this problem?
June 1, 2018
0 Recommendations
I do not think that the dental extractions are causing this problem, however if there were issues in the past it is common for them to recur; the bad breath, drooling and loss of appetite may be due to nausea from an empty stomach but it is difficult to tell. I would try to feed Lucky with a mixture of smooth wet food and water administered drop by drop with a syringe to try and get food into the stomach. However, it may be a case that in the long term, complete dental extraction may be the best course of action. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
June 2, 2018
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DOMESTIC
Neko
5 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Weight Loss
Lethargy
Swollen Gland
Drainage
According to my vet, my cat has a swollen salivary gland. She says she has no idea why it's happening and short of expensive scans and blood work she is not sure how to determine what's wrong with him. He started with what my vet said was an ear infection with black discharge. He was placed on ear drops but when he started having trouble breathing and drainage in his sinuses, they also put him on antibiotics. That's when the swollen gland appeared. He's a 100% indoor cat and has up to date shots and been ruled out of leukemia and FIV. He's not on antibiotics and a steroid. He is still having sinus drainage, still swollen, still having discharge in his ear even though I clean it daily and has lost a lot of weight from not eating. I'm not sure what to do besides pay hundreds of dollars to rule out other illnesses.
March 30, 2018
0 Recommendations
A salivary gland may be swollen for a variety of reasons and the underlying cause is important in order to direct treatment as different causes are managed differently. Further testing is required to determine the underlying cause of the swelling; however, if you are concerned you should visit another Veterinarian in your area for a second hands on opinion to see if they are able to determine a cause. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
March 30, 2018
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tabby
Kawali
13 Years
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0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Eye Bulging
Loss Of Appetite
Just notice that my cat Kawali has been drooling alot and his appetite has decreased tremendously. Upon cleaning the saliva from his mouth I noticed a huge red bubble under his tongue that his tongue is to the side. Is there any treatment outside surgery? Kawali is 13 years old.
March 8, 2018
0 Recommendations
It sounds like Kawali has a ranula (salivary mucocele) which is causing the displacement of the tongue; there are two main options: 1) draining on a regular basis or 2) surgery. You should have the ranula checked by your Veterinarian to confirm that is the cause and that the mass isn’t a tumour or other lesion. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
www.acvs.org/small-animal/salivary-mucocele
https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/z/ranula-mouth-cat-26691412.jpg
March 8, 2018
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Salivary Gland Swelling Average Cost
From 243 quotes ranging from $200 - $800
Average Cost
$400
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