Re: What is the normal size of the lymph/gland under the dogs jaw

[isabel wilson]

Does anyone know roughly what is normal size for this gland please...

should you be able to feel it/them easily?
Help worried!
Isabel

[micki76]

You should be able to feel them, but they should not be very large. Their size depends on the breed of dog. Obviously a Great Dane's would be much larger than a Chihuahua's, so it's hard to tell you what size they should be. If you're concerned, see a vet asap. My Westie passed away from lymphatic cancer and his lymph nodes were the size of ping pong / golf balls.

I would check with you vet to be sure. They can also be enlarged if there's a infection, or if the dog is fighting off an illness.

[isabel wilson]

Thanks you for your help Micki - how old was your Westie - did the glands come up suddenly?

I have a medium sized border collie who is nearly 5. I just became aware of these glands last Wednesday and saw the vet who has worried me by saying watch them and if they don't go down we need needle biopsy - so now I'm freaked. They haven't got bigger but I think they are around large grape size (she said they are 25% bigger than normal).

Another reason for concern is he (Tag) has what looks like (no skin scrape done) demodectic manage on his feet it broke out recently. I know this can take hold in dogs with compromised immune systems so now I'm putting 2 and 2 together and getting 5.

I've lost two dogs in last 4 year to the dreadful C (one was 14 though) - but my consitition is not what it used to be!

[micki76]

Yes, his glands did swell up rather quickly. Stolly was only 12. On the younger side for a Westie.

I hope Tag will be ok. I wonder if the swollen glands could be from his body dealing with the mange?

Yes, you'll worry until you hear something, that's for sure.

How's his appetite? Is he running a fever?

I'll keep you both in my thoughts. Please let us know what you find out.

[dragondawg]

insist the Vet take a needle aspirate and send it off to pathology ASAP. If it's Lymphoma then you need to confirm it quickly. Avoid all Prednisone in the mean time while awaiting results.

The appearance of Demodex if that is the case is suspicious. Other typical signs of Lymphoma include: elevated temperature (i.e. secondary infection), anorexia, lethargy, weakness in walking or climbing stairs, muscle wasting, and GI upsets. Some Lymphoma puppies can also be almost asymptomatic when diagnosed.

The size micki gave is typical, but Lymphoma can affect each dog differently.

Hopefully it will be swelling due to infection or even the mites.

[isabel wilson]

Thank you peps,

I have spoken to the oncologist and he advised to get a needle aspirate done soon. He said that as the demodex is present this could cause these glands to be up. Also said sub mandibular glands are very re-active so that reassures me a bit...

He also said get samples from both glands so I have booked Tag in for Monday for this to be done.

Thank you for your help and now I have a tense few days -

Doesn't this stuff wear you out?

Thank you all much.

Love from Isabel and Tag!