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Swollen Glands In Dogs

Submitted by Nic on August 19, 2011

Swollen glands in dogs can be both a medical emergency and it could be completely harmless. Swollen lymph glands in dogs in the neck could result from immune system problems. The lymph nodes are a part of the total immune system of the dog’s body.

Often, disease in the tissues surrounding the lymph nodes could cause the dog’s lymph nodes to become swollen.

Though it may not indicate a major disease, swollen glands in dog’s neck are almost always an indication of a health disorder. One of the direct causes of swollen glands in dogs is cancer.

It is because of this that swollen lymph glands in dogs should always be investigated medically. There are a lot of lymph nodes in the body, and any of them can get swollen. However, it is the lymph nodes in the neck of the dog that are most prominent when they get swollen.

Swollen glands in a dog’s neck may cause several other symptoms as well. Some of these include nausea and vomiting, especially if the dog has just eaten. If the dog is really sick and suffering, it may begin to stop eating. Your dog may also have difficulties in passing stools, especially if the nodes in the groin region are also swollen. In some of the more severe cases, the dog may have trouble breathing.

Swollen lymph nodes in dogs could be due to numerous problems. A localized infection, which is the most minor cause of this condition, is the easiest to treat. However, if the enlarged nodes are caused by cancer, it is very difficult for the doctors to treat the dog. The dog’s medical history and the dog’s family medical history may come in really handy when assessing the cause of the condition.

The cause of the swollen glands almost always helps in the formulation of the treatment plan. If there has been a local infection, the treatment could be attempted with the help of antibiotics or antifungal lotions, creams and medications. There could be symptomatic treatments for other kinds of causes as well. The doctors observe the dog for a few days before deciding on the exact nature and course of the treatment.

In case of serious problems like cancer, the dog will need to have a more aggressive treatment as recommended by the vet. Chemotherapy or surgery may be required if the cause of the swelling in the glands is cancer.

Dog Diseases