Acquired salivary mucoceles in two domestic ferrets (Mustela putorius furo)

Abstract

Ferret 1 was a seven-year-old entire male ferret that was presented with a unilateral swelling on the head and ipsilateral exophthalmos. Cytology of the fluid inside the mass, histopathology of the wall and (contrast) radiographs led to diagnosis of a zygomatic mucocele. Marsupialisation provided only temporary relief and total excision of the zygomatic salivary gland was indicated. A CT scan performed before surgery demonstrated the extent of the mucocele around the zygomatic arch. Although excision of the salivary gland went uneventfully, atrophy of the temporalis muscle was observed postoperatively. Temporary unilateral facialis nerve paralysis developed immediately post surgery. Ferret 2 was a two-year-old entire male ferret with a history of regurgitation that was presented with a painless fluctuant mandibular swelling. Cytology of the fluid inside the mass led to presumptive diagnosis of a mandibular mucocele. The mass was surgically excised and histopathology of the removed tissue led to the diagnosis of a mandibular salivary gland mucocele with concurrent adenoma.

Parotid salivary mucocele in a companion rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus): a report on the clinical and laboratory characteristics and surgical treatment ˗ case report

“…PAS is a staining method, mainly used to detect structures with a high proportion of carbohydrate, such as glycogen and muco substances. Similar to the observations in our study, a positive PAS reaction has been used to confirm the diagnosis of salivary mucocele in dogs and ferrets in previous studies (Kazemi et al, 2012;Thas, 2014).…”

“…Similar to the observations in our case report, other authors have noted that the drainage of fluid provides a brief relief; however, subsequent gland excision is often required (Kazemi et al, 2012;Thas, 2014). Many factors must be considered in the post-operative recovery of an animal, regardless of its species.…”

“…Previous studies have described the fluid cytology of zygomatic and mandibular salivary mucoceles in domestic ferrets and also reported a low cellularity with the presence of red blood cells, neutrophils, macrophages and epithelial cells in an eosinophilic background (Fehr et al, 2006;Thas, 2014). Previous studies have already established that the histology of the mucocele wall consists of an outer layer of connective tissue and an inner zone of a pleocellular inflammatory reaction, blood vessels, and occasional hemorrhages (Kazemi et al, 2012;Thas, 2014). These features were concurrent with observations in the current case report.…”

“…In the present report, veterinary recommendations were carefully adopted, and the post-operative wound healing was observed to be good, without any complications or recurrence of the disease. Previous studies have reported that the surgical approach to treatment has been successful in other animals, such as dogs and ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) (Fehr et al, 2006;Kazemi et al, 2012;Thas, 2014).…”

Partial caudal zygomatectomy for zygomatic sialoadenectomy in a ferret

“…Sialoceles, or salivary mucoceles, are depositions of extravasated saliva within the subcutaneous tissues, resulting in saliva‐filled cavities 4 . These cavities are lined by inflammatory granulomatous connective tissue and considered ‘pseudocysts’ 4,5 . The most common source for sialocele formation is a leak from the salivary gland or duct.…”