Parotitis in Dogs

by Naomi Millburn
Dogs with mumps sometimes feel feeble.

Dogs with mumps sometimes feel feeble.

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If your poor pooch seems to be under the weather, parotitis, or "mumps," could be the frustrating culprit. Parotitis is a medical ailment that involves parotid gland inflammation. The parotid glands are salivary glands in canines. As soon as you notice possible signs of parotitis in your pet, take him in for a veterinary checkup.

Parotid Glands and Dogs

Salivary glands in dogs exist in four different varieties, according to the experts at the website PetMD. Apart from the parotid glands, there are sublingual, submandibular and, finally, minor salivary glands. All of these groups together are in charge of manufacturing saliva. The watery liquid is responsible for the deconstruction of starch and rendering it into glucose. If you want to know where your dog's parotid glands are located, simply glance right below both of his ears.

Dogs, People and Mumps

Although you might be well aware of humans and mumps, it's important to know that dogs also are capable of contracting the viral infection. People can, indeed, give dogs mumps, although those unfortunate situations are few and far between. If a canine catches mumps from an infected person, the furry guy's parotid glands might react by taking on a conspicuously swollen and inflamed appearance.

Key Mumps Symptoms

Noticeable swelling of the parotid glands just south of the ears is a telling sign of parotitis in dogs, but it's not the only sign. If you notice that your dog just isn't interested in eating his meals, the loss of appetite could signify mumps. If he has mumps, he might even develop a fever. These symptoms call for prompt veterinary attention, regardless of whether they're necessarily an indication of parotitis. Don't dillydally when it comes to your pet's well-being.

Veterinary Management

When you arrive at the veterinary clinic with your pooch in tow, be prepared to provide the veterinarian with detailed medical background information regarding your pet. If your dog recently has been around someone who might have had mumps, alert the vet to that fact. She might assess whether your dog has mumps by feeling her (palpation). Through this technique, she might be able to find the exact spot of the swelling. She also might be able to determine its intensity. After this is through, she might request further testing as a means of figuring out whether the parotitis is an effect of any other health ailments. Management options for mumps vary in canines. Dehydration is a common effect of mumps. If your pet is suffering from that, he might need to receive intravenous therapy. Fever-reducing medicines also are given frequently to canines with mumps. Mumps tend to go away within a span of 5 to 10 days in dogs. Carefully abide by all of the recovery instructions the vet gives to you. It's crucial to make sure that dogs getting over mumps eat and drink properly.

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