Clinic Case of the Month

Butters, a five year old Australian bulldog, first presented to us with redness and swelling around one of his eyes. He was started on an anti-inflammatory, eye ointment, and antibiotics in case the swelling was an infection either of the teeth (a tooth root abscess) or injury (potentially caused by a foreign body) with a recheck planned later in the week to reassess.

End of the week comes and the unusual swelling is still there. Considering its persistence despite the medication, the decision was made to surgical explore the swelling.

Butters came in early the following week for his anaesthetic. Since he is considered a brachycephalic breed – extra precautions were taken for his anaesthetic including an anti-nausea injection and increased oxygen time. Once sedated, Doctor Mark took an FNA (fine needle aspirate) of the swelling only to reveal an extremely thick mucous fluid.

Doctor Mark then made an incision inside the mouth and expressed an extremely thick, clear, gelatine like mucous. Based on the location and discharge, Mark believed that Butters was suffering from a zygomatic mucocele, in which the salivary gland blocks or ruptures.

Butters recovered well from his anaesthetic and went home with further antibiotics.

Treatment for salivary mucocele is typically surgery where the affected gland is removed. The surgery requires a specialist due to the large number of nerves that affect the area. Conservative management with antibiotics and draining can be trialled beforehand but reoccurrence is common.