The Devil is in the Details

  Posted on March 15, 2011  by Joy of Living  No comments

Yesterday, my dog Jessie yelped when I petted her around her face.  I thought maybe there was something wrong in her ear, but when I felt around her ear she didn’t flinch.  Today when I petted her she did it again.  I felt around her face and ears and found the problem….she had a swollen saliva gland, a problem she had about six months ago.

Luckily, this problem was pretty easily solved by draining the saliva pocket and giving antibiotics for a few days.  Jessie was eating and doing everything she usually does, even though the problem was pretty uncomfortable for her.

Our pets are good at hiding pain, so it’s important to pay close attention to any small indications that something may be wrong.  Jessie’s case was not life threatening, but some pets aren’t that lucky.

Contact your veterinarian if you notice any swelling or lumps that appear suddenly or seem to be growing.  Your pet’s health may depend on your attention to detail.