Surgical management of sublingual salivary mucocele (ranula) in a Maltese dog- a case report

Abstract

A 10-year-old Maltese male dog was brought to the Shahedul Alam Quadery Teaching Veterinary Hospital (SAQTVH), Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (CVASU) with the complaint of gradually enlarged soft swelling ventral to the left side of the tongue during the last four days with a history of difficult swallowing, abnormal protrusion of the tongue and excessive salivation. On clinical examination, soft, fluctuant, painless mass was palpated physically in the left side of sublingual tissues just beneath the tongue. The respiratory rate, heart rate and rectal temperature were within the normal values. Radiographic examination revealed a radio-lucent mass on the right lateral view, an anechoic round structure was found on ultrasonographic examination. Paracentesis of the mass reveals clear saliva-like fluid, which was mucoid. Based on the history, clinical examination and imaging findings, the condition was diagnosed as sublingual salivary mucocele (Ranula), which was corrected surgically under inhalation anesthesia. Antibiotic, antihistaminic and pain killer was administered postoperatively. The dog starts fed normally after three days of surgery and completely recovered after 5 days. Surgical excision can be an effective treatment for sublingual salivary mucocele in dogs.