Facial Swelling in Cats

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Salivary Mucocele in Cats

Swelling of the soft connective tissues in an animal's mouth is referred to as an oral or salivary mucocele. The swelling appears like a mucus-filled sack and is more than three times as likely to form in dogs than in cats. However, all cat breeds are susceptible to oral or salivary mucoceles. Treatment is generally successful and involves draining the fluid and prescription antibiotics.

If you would like to learn more about how this condition affects dogs, please visit this page in the PetMD health library.

Symptoms and Types

Some of the most common signs of oral and salivary mucoceles are:

Facial swelling
Oral pain and swelling
Blood in the saliva
Difficulty swallowing
Eye pressure and pain
Respiratory disease or difficulties breathing
Soft, developing masses in the neck (cervical)

Causes

Bite wounds, ear canal surgery, blunt trauma to the face or head, and a blunt or foreign object penetrating inside the cat's mouth are all potential causes for oral and salivary mucoceles.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis will be based on a physical examination and a thorough history of your cat. There are rarely any laboratory or blood work abnormalities associated with this condition, and imaging is rarely used to diagnose oral or salivary mucoceles. The primary objective is to rule out any abnormal cell development, abscesses from infected teeth, or other more serious causes of the inflammation.



Treatment

Antibiotics are often used to help reduce inflammation and to help prevent the formation of an infection. The most common form of treatment is the non-surgical draining of the swollen area(s).

Living and Management

Cleaning the area surrounding the drain placement and changing bandages daily will help your cat recover quickly, as well as reduce the likelihood of any infection developing. Overall, the prognosis of this medical condition is positive.

Prevention

There are currently no known preventative measures for oral or salivary mucoceles.