My Granddog is not well- Saliva gland infection?

My Grand dog had a swollen tongue back on May 20th...We thought he had maybe gotten stung or into something. But otherwise he was fine & the swelling went down. Then on June 4th his tongue was much worse. He could not close his mouth. My daughter brought him to the ER vet. They ended up doing surgery & removed many pieces of Matter(?) little chunks of stuff from the saliva gland. And draining the gland. He was on antibiotics & pain pills...He seemed to recover fairly well...

Then maybe about Wednesday this week started acting funny. And his tongue was not looking normal again. My daughter brought him to our regular vet yesterday. They did a biopsy & sent it priority. (no results yet) And will consider removing the Ranula Gland if that seems to be the conclusion. They put him on a different antibiotic yesterday - Clavamox 250 mg. And Tramadol for pain- she is giving him 50 mg 1 time a day

Last night he was not himself at all. He did not want to get up & see anyone (he usually wants to play 24/7) He lives for food. He did not want to eat (vet had her buy canned dog food at the store - not hard kibble until he is better she said)

Today she said his tongue looks 50% better. It seems to have drained on its own. And he is acting much more like himself.

Could he feel that bad from the antibiotics? I assume she should be giving him yogurt with them..? what kind? How much/times per day. He weighs 50#.

Has anyone else had a dog with an infected Saliva gland? Did it heal up on its own...Or require surgery.

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Permalink Reply by Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle on June 12, 2015 at 8:40am

I'm sorry to hear this, Pam.

Any time a dog is on antibiotics, they need probiotics. Yogurt is good, but a probiotic supplement containing at least 5 billion CFUs per dose would be better. I recommend Proviable DC, she can order it on-line, and give plain, unflavored, nonfat yogurt in the meantime. Two or three tablespoons twice a day. It's very important that the yogurt/probiotics not be given within 2 hours of the antibiotics, and longer is better.

I suspect that the Tramadol is to blame for his not wanting to get up or see anyone. One of the side effects is actually depression. JD takes Tramadol and he often seems listless from it. The antibiotics could be to blame for the inappetance, or it could be a combination of both drugs and possibly pain from the infection as well. I hope he feels better soon.

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Permalink Reply by Pam & Trixie on June 12, 2015 at 8:53am

Thank you very much Karen. I will copy your message so she can see all that you said.

I might suggest she skip the Tramadol since he seems to be feeling better anyway.

We will have him staying with us this sat to sun...Along with us babysitting our 4 month old grandson (who doesnt sleep much at night) for the 1st time overnight...So I am extra worried & hope he is on the road to recovery.

Thanks, I hope he feels much better soon too :)

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Permalink Reply by Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle on June 12, 2015 at 9:05am

I think I'd continue the Tramadol for another day or so if there's a chance that he's still experiencing any pain. If I have to choose, I'd rather JD be feeling a little down than be having any pain, lol.

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Permalink Reply by Pam & Trixie on June 12, 2015 at 1:53pm

Thank you Karen, I will let her know that

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Permalink Reply by Lori, Winnie, Bob and Indie on June 12, 2015 at 9:09am

Glad he is looking and feeling better!

I've not had that happen to a dog, but it did happen to ME a few years ago and required draining and antibiotics. And, I can say that it is a miserable thing! :-( It doesn't suprise me that he didn't want to eat or play. Soft foods will be really good for a while, and maybe just give the Tramadol at bedtime. It sounds like he will be on the road to recovery in no time.

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Permalink Reply by Pam & Trixie on June 12, 2015 at 1:54pm

Ouch Lori. So did you just need 1 round of antibiotics & one draining? I had no idea it could happen to a person. Thanks

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Permalink Reply by Lori, Winnie, Bob and Indie on June 12, 2015 at 2:24pm

The salivary gland opening under my tongue was blocked, which caused saliva to "backup" into the gland in my neck. So, I had an egg on my neck and a sore under my tongue. :-( They snaked a wire from under my tongue to the back of my mouth, and bingo- relief! One draining and one round of antibiotics, and I was a new woman.