Use your finger to gently pull up on the cheeks and expose the teeth and gums. Visually check for swelling, bleeding, or discoloration. You may also want to smell for bad breath. Run the back of your hand down the cat’s neck, applying light pressure, to feel for masses.
If your cat is typically lethargic, maybe due to age or a disability, do not assume lethargy alone is a symptom. Look for other symptoms, as well. Also watch your cat for vomiting. If they are eating well but throwing up regularly, it may be a sign that something is wrong.
If your cat seems to be experiencing any respiratory distress, seek help from a vet immediately. Trouble breathing could cause brain damage or become fatal if not treated quickly.
Let your vet know what symptoms you have observed at home, and provide as much detail as you can about when you began noticing behavioral changes.
These tests are often painless and not invasive for your cat, and they help your vet rule out more extreme problems such as cancers.
If your cat is experiencing a problem other than a salivary mucocele, they may require more intensive testing and treatment. Talk to your vet extensively about treatment options, their cost, and their overall success rates.
While draining the cysts is sometimes an option, they are likely to reoccur and/or become infected, so removing the glands is the best course of action. [9] X Research source Before you have the actual procedure performed, talk to your vet about any potential risks associated with the procedure. Let them know about any pre-existing conditions your cat may have, and see if they impact your cat’s eligibility for the removal procedure. Seek removal immediately if the masses are impacting your cat’s ability to eat or breathe.
Your cat may need to be placed on soft foods until the incisions heal so that they do not aggravate the injuries. Your cat may also be placed on antibiotics to help prevent infection. Administer them regularly according to your vet’s instructions. Some antibiotics may decrease your cat’s appetite, so you will need to pay attention to any changes in your cat’s habits and let your vet know of any issues.
If you think an infection may be present, don’t wait until your follow-up appointment. Contact your vet immediately to schedule a check-up. If you notice radical changes in your cat’s behavior or habits, bring them to the vet as soon as possible. If you move or find a new vet, let them know during your first appointment that your cat experienced salivary swelling in the past. This way, the new vet knows to monitor for any future complications.
