Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
N-acetylcysteine injections to help treat dog sialoceles
By Ortillés, Ángel et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2020·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Intracanalicular injection of N-acetylcysteine as adjunctive treatment for sialoceles in dogs: 25 cases (2000-2017).
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 25 dogs, mostly Boxers and mixed breeds, were treated for sialoceles, which are fluid-filled sacs caused by saliva buildup. Common signs included swelling around the eyes and decreased eye movement, but none of the dogs had vision problems. The treatment involved injecting a medication called N-acetylcysteine directly into the affected glands, and it was performed safely with local anesthesia. While some dogs had recurrences of the condition, these were managed with medication. Overall, this injection method proved to be a helpful and non-invasive option for treating sialoceles in dogs.
People also search for: dog eye swelling treatment · sialocele in dogs · N-acetylcysteine for dogs · Boxer dog eye problems · dog saliva gland issues
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe intracanalicular injection of 10% N-acetylcysteine (IINAC) as adjunctive treatment for sialoceles in dogs. ANIMALS: 25 client-owned dogs. PROCEDURES: Hard copy medical records at 2 veterinary ophthalmology practices were searched to identify dogs that underwent IINAC for treatment of sialoceles from January 2000 to December 2017. Signalment, affected salivary gland, clinical signs, duration of signs, other treatments administered, diagnostic tests performed, anesthetic approach,-acetylcysteine volume administered, complications, follow-up time, and recurrence of sialoceles were recorded. Descriptive statistics were reported. RESULTS: Boxers and mixed-breed dogs were most commonly represented. Subjectively decreased globe retropulsion and conjunctival or periorbital swelling (23/25 [92%] dogs each) were the most common clinical signs, with no vision deficits in any patient. The zygomatic gland was mainly affected (23/25 [92%] dogs), followed by parotid and mandibular glands (1 [4%] dog each). The condition was unilateral in 22 (88%) dogs. Ultrasonography (19/25 [76%] dogs), MRI (14 [56%]), fine-needle aspiration (20 [80%]), and biopsy (4 [16%]) were performed; however, the condition was deemed idiopathic in 22 (88%) dogs. Most IINACs were performed with local anesthesia (median volume, 5 mL/gland; range, 1.5 to 9 mL). No complications were identified. Other treatments included antimicrobials and anti-inflammatories. Mean follow-up time was 18.8 months. All recurrences (5/23 [22%] dogs) were controlled with medical management. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested noninvasive IINAC may be a useful adjunctive treatment for sialoceles in dogs. The procedure was easily and safely performed with local anesthesia (or general anesthesia with concurrent diagnostic imaging) in these dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33021449/