What does a dog's salivary mucocele feel like: firm or soft?

Hard to tell based on the photo unfortunately. Masses that are underneath the skin, like this one, have to be felt in person. If it is soft, then it is likely a lipoma (benign fatty tumor), but it is best to have your vet feel it and potentially have it tested to make sure. It definitely isn't a sebaceous cyst, b/c it is not a dermal (skin) mass but instead is underneath the skin. Best wishes with your pet Missy moving forward. Take care!

Good morning. If it is towards the back of the jaw it could be an enlarged lymph node or salivary gland. Other possible causes are an abscess or tumor. In young dogs we see a lot of abscesses in that area because they are chewing on sticks or other things and they can puncture the oral tissue and cause an abscess under the jaw. I would highly encourage you to have him evaluated by your veterinarian soon. A needle aspirate may be done to help determine the diagnosis and treatment plan. Best of luck and I hope he improves soon. Thank you for using Pet Coach.

This mass is quite large. I would definitely have your vet do an aspirated and cytology of it while it is there. The fact that it is changing in size makes me concerned that it could be a salivary mucoceole, an infection, or even a mast cell tumor (cancerous but least likely). These can all be serious and some may need medication and or surgery. If it is a salivary mucoceole they may just recommend to continue to watch it since it is getting small sometimes, but I would rather know for sure what it is. I hope this helps!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! These can definitely feel firm as they usually do. These could be benign or malignant growths. There is no way of knowing what it is just based on its appearance. This is often differentiated by a test called a fine needle aspirate (FNA) which is a pain free, inexpensive and easy procedure which in most cases will help reach a diagnosis. Sometimes a biopsy is needed for a definitive diagnosis. I recommend that you have her evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good night!

Hi there and thank you for using pet coach to address your concern. This may not be a salivary gland issue and may be an infection or other cause. If you knew for sure 100% that this was a salivary gland issue, waiting until the morning would be ok. But because the cause is not known, I would recommend getting this looked at sooner. The sooner antibiotics are given for a possible infection , the better. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. I would also check blood work to make sure there are no systemic changes that are concerning. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. What you are describing is most likely a 'lipoma' which is a fatty mass that usually causes no problems. 2 years old however is very young for this to happen, so I would recommend getting it checked out. Other possible causes: infection (abscess), lymph node, sialocele, tumors that are cancerous (mast cell tumors), tumors that are not cancerous (histocytoma), foreign object stuck inside, but bite with inflamed tissue, etc. I recommend having it checked by your vet, they will likely take a sample with a needle to see if they can determine what it is, and might have to take a biopsy based on the initial exam and 'FNA' (fine needle aspirate) findings. Best of luck with Obie!

An enlarged lymph node will feel firmer than a lipoma. It won't be as "smooth" and uniform. It may have some texture (think 'chewed bubble gum'). Unfortunately, there is no definitive way to find out except by aspirating it or having a biopsy performed by your veterinarian.