After a bit of a scare yesterday, Sweetpea is back at his foster home and resting comfortably. Sweetpea came through surgery fantastic thanks to the wonderful veterinarians and vet techs that cared for him this past week. Post op Sweetpea’s neck “cyst” that was drained filled with blood and formed a hematoma. A pressure bandage was applied, injectable antibiotics given, and the watchful eye of the wonderful Gina from 4 Paws 1 Heart made sure Sweetpea was well taken care of.
The vets believe that Sweetpea has a condition known as a Salivary Cervical Mucoceles – or a collection of saliva that has leaked from a damaged salivary gland or salivary duct and has accumulated in the tissues causing what was originally thought to be a cyst. As the saliva leaks from the torn salivary gland or duct it pools in the tissue and causes an inflammatory response. A capsule forms around the saliva to prevent it from migrating further producing a noticeable pocket of fluid.
For now, we will be watching Sweetpea McGee very closely, continuing with a course of antibiotics, monitoring his incision sites and stitches, and hoping to see a decrease in the swelling and fluid retention on his chin/neck. If the swelling in Sweetpea’s neck remains stable – he will just need to be monitored in the future for swelling or increase in size. Surgery and/or a drain tube are options for treatment, however surgery is very difficult in that sensitive region and given Sweetpea’s response to the needle aspiration of the area (hematoma) surgery could very well cause more damage than good.
It is our hope that he heals completely from the surgery and the Salivary Cervical Mucoceles will be able to be managed by monitoring it for changes in size.
For now, Sweetpea enjoyed some grilled chicken for dinner and is sleeping on a king size memory foam dog bed, snuggled in a soft fleece blanket, and resting comfortably. ♥
MANY, MANY, MANY thanks to Gina for taking such wonderful care of Sweetpea and sending updates to his foster mom so she wouldn’t worry. We will forever be grateful to 4 Paws 1 Heart for helping this sweet little fella to have a second chance at a happy and healthy life. ♥
