Can I feel my dog's popliteal lymph nodes? What's their normal size?

Not necessarily as other disease processes can cause lymph node swelling. Every case is different and some dogs have mild lymphadenoapthy at diagnosis and others have significant lymphadenopathy. In general however reactive lymphadenopathy is usually more mild. If lymphadenopathy is suspected it is important to rule out other causes such as systemic diseases (tick borne, fungal, etc.) especially in a young dog in certain parts of the country (or with a travel history), allergic skin disease, etc. Ultimately needle sampling of the lymph nodes is an initial step but will not always diagnose all cases. There are also different types of lymphoma with different presentations, prognoses, and treatment approach. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

In some dogs you can feel them and others you can't. It depends on the size of the dog and body conformation. In a less streamlined dog, you may not be able to feel them. I also have a Doberman and I can feel all his peripheral lymph nodes. You can't rule out a small lipoma or maybe simply feeling skin.

Hi, thanks for using Petcoach! Oh, poor Ace! The most common lymph nodes that we can feel on the outside are the ones under the jaw/neck, the prescapular (where the front legs meet the neck) and the popliteals (behind the knees or "knee pit"). If you are able to feel lymph nodes that are larger than 1 cm to egg sized then the most common reason is lymphoma. Especially in a dog Ace's age and with the weight loss. It is easy to diagnose lymphoma by aspirating the lymph nodes. Chemotherapy is the treatment of choice but sometimes steroids alone can give a couple of months of good time. I am very sorry and I wish you and Ace the best! https://i.pinimg.com/736x/92/b8/6b/92b86b3ac41a6dc3e5912beb441068dc--lymph-nodes-pet-health.jpg

Depending on where the "knots" are, it is possible it is normal anatomy, however there could be something else going on. You may be feeling Cruz's lymph nodes if the "knots" you are feeling are behind the knees. Normally lymph nodes are small and not readily felt by owners, so it is very possible if you are able to feel them easily, that he needs to be checked out. Enlarged lymph nodes can be a nonspecific sign of infection or inflammation and should be checked out by your vet. Cruz is very young and so fatty lumps like lipomas, which are benign fatty tumors, are less likely. I would recommend having him checked out by your vet to see if these areas need to be investigated further or not.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Lymph nodes are normally under the jaw. They are usually pretty small and very soft. If only one was swollen, it was likely reacting to something (like the infection/wound from the fence). If it is still hard I would recommend the vet check for other infections around the face or in the mouth or maybe treat with antibiotics for longer. It sounds like the lymph node reacted to the infection and it is going back to normal. Good luck and kisses to Dirk!

Hello. It is possible for a swollen lymph node to be associated with a limp especially if the node is enlarged due to infection. Lyme disease is only one cause of limping in a dog & usually does not cause lymph nodes to enlarge. They will get big from infection, inflammation or cancer, so if you had not had the leg examined recently, I hope you can do so soon. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

An enlarged lymph node will feel firmer than a lipoma. It won't be as "smooth" and uniform. It may have some texture (think 'chewed bubble gum'). Unfortunately, there is no definitive way to find out except by aspirating it or having a biopsy performed by your veterinarian.