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My French Bulldog has a neck lump, stiffness, and fever. What's wrong?
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | French Bulldog | Female | spayed | 3 years and 5 months old | 18.3 lbs
Hello - my French Bulldog has stiffness in her left clavicle area, stiffness of her muscles. She also has a fluid filled pocket underneath her jaw/ neck area. She had a 104 degree fever earlier this week but was given anti inflammatory and antibiotics. Been on them for about 5 days.
1 Answer
Most Helpful Answer
Answered By Rodrigo Roca, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on November 4th, 2018
Hello, I am sorry to hear about Sunny.
The fluid filled pocket you describe sounds very similar to an abscess. Dogs can have abscesses in this location secondary to dental disease, stick chewing, or other problems. If severe enough the abscess can cause a fever as you describe. If Sunny is not doing better with the medications provided I would have her rechecked by your veterinarian. They may have to drain the abscess to help get rid of the infection.
It is possible that Sunny feels uncomfortable due to the abscess which is why her limb is stiff. However, it is possible that this is unrelated and could be caused by a muscle strain or infection. If this does not improve or gets worse in spite of the medications I would have her rechecked by your veterinarian so that the can examine the area and her affected limb.
Hope this helps, good luck!
The fluid filled pocket you describe sounds very similar to an abscess. Dogs can have abscesses in this location secondary to dental disease, stick chewing, or other problems. If severe enough the abscess can cause a fever as you describe. If Sunny is not doing better with the medications provided I would have her rechecked by your veterinarian. They may have to drain the abscess to help get rid of the infection.
It is possible that Sunny feels uncomfortable due to the abscess which is why her limb is stiff. However, it is possible that this is unrelated and could be caused by a muscle strain or infection. If this does not improve or gets worse in spite of the medications I would have her rechecked by your veterinarian so that the can examine the area and her affected limb.
Hope this helps, good luck!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful