Canine sialocoeles ‐ 60 clinical cases

Sixty cases of canine sialocoele were reviewed from the records of the Sydney University Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Poodles, dachshunds and Australian silky terriers were significantly over represented in the survey when compared to the hospital sample population (P&0.01). No other statistically significant breed, sex, or age trends were noted. Neoplasia was associated with sialocoele formation in three cases. The sialocoele location was cervical (42), sublingual (four), pharyngeal (four), not recorded (one) or in more than one site (nine). Thirty‐five of 39 surgically treated cases were managed by extirpation of the mandibular and sublingual salivary glands together with drainage. Few complications were recorded. Forty‐two per cent of the cases had received previous veterinary treatment in the form of drainage alone. Drainage of saliva from sialocoeles without removal of the offending salivary glands is inappropriate.