My sweet George had a dental last Wednesday and had some issues with the anesthesia ... at the very end of the procedure his oxygen level dropped and he was blue. They kept him intubated and put him in oxygen and he came out of it just fine. But...he now has an issue with his salivary gland that I am sure came from that dental..possibly the intubation...or the trauma at the end. I don't know. I am not blaming them because these are things that can happen. Actually he could have done it since if he chewed on something sharp (highly doubtful). Bottom line, I just want it to go away.
This evening I noted a 1 1/4" mass on his neck. At first I thought it was a node, but after really feeling around, I realized it was more toward the center where there is no node. At first I thought going to the EC was a bit reactive, but then I started to think that it could be an abscess that may have developed due to some possible bacteria being dislodged during the dental. So....I decided to take him to the EC since tomorrow is Sunday and I would not want an infection brewing until Monday. The vet there said he felt it was from an injured salivary gland leaking....and suggested aspiration which of course I agreed with. Yep...all filled with saliva. This is not something I have ever heard of or dealt with. Wondering if anyone else has? He told me that they often will resolve, but if they don't then surgery is needed and his suggestion was to go to Texas A&M if that becomes necessary since it is an area that has a lot of nerves and other important structures. I SO hope this resolves, but from what I am reading on the web, he may indeed need surgery.
I am especially upset now because of the issue he had recently...I really don't want to think about what could happen if he has another problem with anesthesia. My George is at least 12, possibly older. He is basically very healthy. His labs are always good and he has never had major health issues. This just has me SO upset tonight. Not that I can do anything now.
He said I could try warm compresses which I have already started. I will be taking him to my vet on Monday.
Oh...here is a link about it....Sialocele is the diagnosis.
ACVS - Salivary Mucocele
If anyone has had a pup with this, I would love to hear about it.