The prognosis is grave, because there is no hope of normal conditions being restored.
Treatment. Treatment often proves unsuccessful. Should the condition have resulted from an obstruction, it is first necessary to attempt the removal of such obstruction, whether it be a foreign body or calculus, and so to re-establish the normal channel for the saliva. Local stimulation may be tried, though in cases of fistula without much hope of success. Smart blistering of the parts surrounding the opening and firing in points have been recommended; but rather than persist in prolonged treatment of doubtful value, it is often better to prepare the animals for slaughter.
INFLAMMATION OF THE SUBMAXILLARY SALIVARY GLAND.
Inflammation of the submaxillary gland is rare in the ox. As in the horse, it is usually caused by the penetration of foreign bodies, such as glumes or awns of grain, fragments of straw, thorns, etc., into Wharton’s duct.
The difficulty in grasping food and the restricted movement of the tongue are the first symptoms to attract attention. On examination, the region of the “barbs,” usually on one side, appears injected, swollen, inflamed, and sensitive.
The submaxillary space is effaced by the swelling of Wharton’s duct; the corresponding submaxillary gland is doughy and painful on pressure. The symptoms rarely become more threatening than this.
The diagnosis presents no difficulty.
The prognosis is favourable.
Treatment consists primarily in removing the obstruction from the duct. Steady pressure from behind, forwards along the course of the duct, may sometimes cause the foreign body to be ejected into the mouth, along with a jet of offensive saliva. The distended and inflamed duct soon becomes emptied, and all the symptoms rapidly diminish. In other cases, when the obstructing body is firmly fixed in position, it is necessary to open the duct within the mouth by a stroke of the bistoury.