3456. A 13-year-old Maltipoo could not breathe as he had a swollen throat (gigantic submandibular swelling). What to do?

A gigantic submandibular abscess caused great breathing difficulty. This 13-year-old Maltipoo had pus in the right ear for many weeks.The bacteria inside this area finally penetrated into the right neck area, forming a very painful right submandibular abscess.

 

See lateral view of X-ray as evidence. The dog's abscess was lanced and drained under general anaesthesia. The dog is normal now. 

This is a case where ear canal infections can lead to right neck abscess. The owner had consulted a vet earlier for the ear infections but had not followed up when the infections had not gone away. The bacteria went into the neck via the eustachian tube and multipied, form a gigantic abscess.

BLOOD TEST on Dec 9, 2014 revealed septicaemia and bacterial infections of the blood cireculation.

Total white cell count 68.5 (6-17)

N 98%  (60-70%)       N absolute 67.13  (3-11.5)

L  1.6%    L Absolute 1.10
M 0.1%  Absolute 0.07
E  0.3%   Absolute 0.21
B  0%

Platelets  142  (200-500). 

Several abnormal lecuocytes seen. Occasional nucleated red blood cells seen. Large platelets present. 

HISTOLOGY report from 2 biopsy punches on side of submandibular swelling.

No malignancy

 

VIDEO OF CASE STUDY INCLUDING POST-OP

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A normal dog does not have a swollen throat. He can breathe normally and hence does not gasp for breath.

X-rays of the normal throat and neck of other dogs and cat. The normal throat and neck has no swellings.  Normal oropharynx (No. 4) is not swollen