My dog has a neck lump, acting off, breathing hard. What's wrong?

I would recommend that you have Henry examined by a vet. It is easier for a physical exam to determine what structures are affected, rather than a picture. It could be an enlarged lymph node, an enlarged salivary gland, or a mass. The vet will do an exam and may take a sample with a needle for examination under the microscope.

There are many possibilities, an absess, blocked salivary gland, insect bite or injury would be the most common causes for rapid swelling. The reduced appetite is a concern, this may be due to discomfort, narrowing of the throat or fever. If this persist or increases overnight he should be checked by your vet, monitor for any changes to his breathing which would require an emergency visit

HI, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Knuckles! I would make an appointment for Knuckles to see his Vet. The swelling can be from an infected or inflamed salivary gland or lymph node. He could also have an abscess from foreign material penetrating the mouth or from the outside, be experiencing an allergic reaction or possibly even have a tooth root abscess. An enlarged lymph node can also be from lymphoma, a type of cancer. Usually though more than one lymph node is swollen if a dog has lymphoma. I hope this helps and I wish Knuckles a speedy recovery!

Poor John! This swelling on his neckline could be due to a dental problem such as a tooth root abscess, or it could be swollen lymph node. If he's acting differently than usual (i.e being mellow), then clearly there is something going on with him that requires a visit to the vet. Given he is eating and drinking fine, it's ok to wait until Monday to have him seen by a vet but I wouldn't wait longer than that. The vet can diagnose what is causing the swelling and how best to treat it. Good luck, I hope this helps!

I am sorry to hear about Fudge! What a cutie! It is difficult to see in the photo the exact location of this swelling, but I would be concerned about things like a cyst filling quickly, an abscess (pocket of infection), an infected tooth root, a hematoma (blood filled swelling), and a sialocele which is a ruptured salivary duct causing saliva to pool beneath the skin. I would recommend making an appointment for your vet to examine Fudge. If at any point she develops difficulty breathing or swallowing then a trip to the emergency vet would be recommended.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Elphaba. I worry that bumps you have noticed are enlarged lymph nodes. I would try to feel other areas on her body for similar and symmetrical bumps. Lymph nodes are also found in front of the shoulders, in the armpits and groin as well as behind the knees. She will need to see a veterinarian to have her condition diagnosed, but enlarged lymph nodes can indicate serious disease. I hope this information helps!

Thank you for your question. A lump the size of a cupped fist on the neck of a 10 lb dog is a big lump!! I can't tell you exactly what it is, but there are a few possibilities. Depending on the location, an enlarged lymph node is possible, but that is pretty huge for a lymph node. I would suspect this is either an abscess or a tumor. You will want to get Zuki to the veterinarian so they can perform a fine needle aspirate, which is where they use a needle to collect cells and look under the microscope to make a diagnosis. If this is just an abscess, they might be able to lance and drain it and make Zuki feel much better. If this is a tumor, it will not be so simple. Until you can get to the veterinarian, you can trim the hair, and place a hot pack over the area for 10 minutes several times a day. If it is an abscess, this might help it break open and drain. But don't wait long to seek veterinary care, as it could get much worse. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.