A Cat with Suspected Soft Palate Salivary Mucocele Originating from the Minor Salivary Gland

Abstract

A 10-year-old, female spayed domestic shorthair cat was referred to our hospital with inspiratory stertor. Imaging tests revealed a movable cyst lesion on the soft palate. Under general anesthesia, a transparent viscous liquid, considered to be saliva, was collected by puncturing and draining the cyst. The cat underwent a partial surgical resection of the cyst. While a salivary mucocele originating from the minor salivary gland was the suspected cause, no minor salivary glands were found in a histopathological examination of the removed tissue. Therefore, the diagnosis was the cyst was caused by the respiratory epithelium. Clinical manifestation was completely improved after the partial surgical resection, and recurrence has not been observed up to 183 days after the first visit.