Small mammal sial dacryoadenitis is an inflammation of the salivary glands in small mammals, including rats, mice, and hamsters. It’s caused by bacteria or viruses infecting the salivary glands and causing swelling and pain. Symptoms include excessive drooling, difficulty eating, weight loss, fever, poor coat condition, swollen lymph nodes on the neck and jaw, and painful swelling of the salivary glands.
Treating sial dacryoadenitis involves antibiotics or antivirals to fight the infection, and pain relief medications to help relieve discomfort. Surgery will be necessary in some cases to remove dead tissue from the affected area. In severe cases, part or all of the affected salivary gland will need to be removed.
Symptoms of Small Mammal Sial Dacryoadenitis
- Excessive drooling
- Difficulty eating
- Weight loss
- Fever
- Poor coat condition
- Swollen lymph nodes on the neck and jaw
- Painful swelling of the salivary glands
Diagnosing Small Mammal Sial Dacryoadenitis
Diagnosis of sial dacryoadenitis can be difficult, as the symptoms can resemble those of other illnesses. A physical examination and laboratory tests can be used to rule out other causes of illness. X-rays and ultrasound scans could also be used to diagnose sial dacryoadenitis.
Stages of Small Mammal Sial Dacryoadenitis
Stage 1
In this stage, the affected salivary gland is swollen and painful. The animal will have difficulty eating and drinking, and can have excessive drooling.
Stage 2
In this stage, the infection spreads to other organs in the body, such as the liver or lungs. The animal could also develop a fever and have difficulty breathing.
Stage 3
In this stage, the infection is more serious and can spread to other parts of the body, such as the muscles and bones. The animal can also have severe weight loss and have difficulty moving
Treating Small Mammal Sial Dacryoadenitis
Treating sial dacryoadenitis involves antibiotics or antivirals to fight the infection, and pain relief medications to help relieve discomfort. Surgery will be necessary in some cases to remove dead tissue from the affected area. In severe cases, part or all of the affected salivary gland will need to be removed.
Preventing Small Mammal Sial Dacryoadenitis
To prevent sial dacryoadenitis, it’s important to maintain good hygiene and keep the animal’s environment clean. Avoiding overcrowding of cages and making sure they have adequate ventilation can also help reduce the risk of infection. Vaccinations can be recommended for some species of small mammals in order to reduce their susceptibility to infections.