Swollen salivary gland ... what to do?

[Turkeycat]

Hello everyone,

We have a two year old pit bull/Australian cattle dog mix, Dilbert, who is normally healthy. For more than two weeks, though, he has had what has developed into a raquetball-sized lump under the right side of his chin. We have been to the vet several times about it. The vet, who has shown us excellent quality already with a cat we had in the short time we've lived in this area, did a biopsy and diagnosed the problem to be a swollen salivary gland.

We have tried the antibiotics and anti-inflammatory meds the vet has prescribed to locate any normal cause, but though the lump has seemed to grow smaller a couple of times, it is now bigger than ever. He says the problem may go away on its own, but that if the lump gets even bigger, we should probably consider surgical removal of the gland. We would like to avoid this, but of course we are prepared to go that route if necessary. Dilbert has never shown any indication at all that the lump bothers him, even if it is squeezed (with a carefully moderate amount of pressure, of course).

I've done a search of this site and cannot find anything that relates much to our situation. If anyone can shed any possible light on our situation, please reply. Thanks a million.

Chris and Serene

[Traci]

Did the biopsy reveal anything significant? (like infection)

Any chance you can get a second opinion? The concern is that it doesn't seem to be resolving on it's own, but rather has the potential to enlarge even more, which could cause respiratory distress, that's something you want to prevent.

Even though it may not seem to be bothering him now, it might later on, and if it re-occurs on a chronic basis, it might be more beneficial to remove the gland. Providing of course you have an experienced vet for this surgery.

[davet]

again one of my thousan miles diagnoses but if it is a salivary gland then get it removed because it will keep coming back especially if the duct is occuleded...it is a simple procedure ..easy on the dog, the vet and the owner.....again this is without seeing it so I could be wrong,not always right, but never in doublt