One of our donkeys has recovered well following a procedure to remove a large mineral mass that threatened to completely block his salivary duct.
Geoffrey the donkey was undergoing a routine dental examination at our Trow Farm in Devon when Equine Dental Technician Kelsey Ham spotted the abnormal bony mass in his left cheek.
Although the mass was not painful, it was quite large and present through the papilla of the parotid duct, which drains saliva to the mouth from a salivary gland.
A further examination of the mass confirmed a diagnosis of ‘sialolithiasis’ – where a hard concretion of calcium carbonate welds itself to a foreign body, normally a grain, that enters in the salivary duct.
These mineral masses grow progressively, and in Geoffrey’s case the stone may have completely obstructed his salivary duct if not treated promptly.
If this blockage had occurred, the gland may have become inflamed and infected.
The Veterinary team made a plan to remove the mass under standing sedation in the farm.
Under the expert hand of Lead Veterinary Surgeon Jesus Buil, a local anaesthetic was injected once Geoffrey was relaxed, and the mass was removed with no complications.
When the surgery was finished, Geoffrey’s salivary duct was flushed with a sterile saline solution and a radiologic assessment confirmed there were no fragments of the sialolith left.
Geoffrey then started a medication of anti-inflammatories and antibiotics to avoid secondary infections.
Jesus says: “The equine dental technicians and our Veterinary team are very happy with Geoffrey’s progression. He has completely recovered and the surgical wound has completely healed.
“This case had a great outcome due to the preventive care and thorough dental examinations performed by our equine dental technicians, and the perfect communication and collaboration with our veterinary team.
“Geoffrey’s positive outcome wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of our supporters.”
