Sialocele and Its Association with Hypercortisolism and Long-Term Glucocorticoid Treatment in Dogs: Retrospective Case–Control Study

Abstract

Dogs with sialocele often have concurrent hypercortisolism or are receiving long-term glucocorticoid treatment. However, their association has not been investigated. This retrospective matched case–control study investigated the association between hypercortisolism, long-term glucocorticoid treatment, and sialocele in dogs. We retrospectively reviewed the records from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2022. Records of 19 dogs diagnosed with sialocele were investigated for hypercortisolism and long-term glucocorticoid treatment. Two age- and breed-matched controls for each sialocele dog (38 dogs) were investigated for the same concurrent diseases. Logistic regression analysis was used. The odds of sialocele in dogs with hypercortisolism were 15.56 times those of dogs without hypercortisolism (p = 0.02; 95% CI: 1.54–156.79). The odds of sialocele in dogs with long-term glucocorticoid treatment (median, 8 months; range, 5–13) were 7.78 times those of dogs without long-term glucocorticoid treatment (p = 0.03; 95% CI: 1.23–49.40). No associations were found between age, sex, body weight, and the presence of sialocele. The results indicate that sialocele was significantly associated with hypercortisolism and long-term glucocorticoid treatment in dogs. Therefore, dogs with hypercortisolism or receiving long-term glucocorticoid therapy should be screened for possible sialocele. Additionally, dogs with sialocele should be identified for concurrent hypercortisolism and prolonged glucocorticoid exposure.