Table of Contents
Overview of Causes | Diagnosis & Treatment | Ask a Vet Service
Summary:
"There are multiple possible causes for canine lumps on the neck that are listed below. If a diagnosis cannot be made by looking at the condition, your veterinarian will take a small cell sample using a simple procedure for further testing. Treatment often involves surgery, radiation and possibly chemotherapy."
Overview of Causes
Canine lumps on the neck can mean a variety of things.
Dog lymph nodes are on the right and left side of the neck where it is connected to the lower jaw. In a healthy dog, you shouldn't be able to feel the lymph nodes. In a sick dog, the nodes are enlarged such as when an infection is present or cancer. Swelling lower on the neck and in the middle over the windpipe could be a thyroid tumor (rare in dogs).
Other causes of lumps on the neck include:
- Basal Cell Tumors - Cancerous slow growing lump.
- Cuterebra - Caused by the 1-1 inch larva of the Cuterebra fly. Nodule forms around the larva; usually found on the head and neck. Your Veterinarian will open the lump and see the larva. Surgical removal will cure the condition.
- Follicular cyst (sebaceous cyst alternative name - Single
round
nodules on or underneath the skin. The appearance may be blue in color
and also may contain a thick, yellowish to gray material. Also found on
the head. Your Veterinarian will take a sample for testing. Removal
with surgery.
- Nevi - Groups of firm lesions that are usually not cancerous (benign). Caused by some type of underlying disease. Lesions are removed via surgery and can recur.
Diagnosis of Dog Lumps on the Neck
A FNA test (fine needle aspiration) is used to extract cells from any lump for testing in a lab.
Treatment of Canine Lumps on the Neck
Treatment of canine lumps on the neck include radiation, chemotherapy and surgery.
Still Have Questions?
If you have a specific question about lumps on your dog's neck Click here to ask an expert Your Dog Question Now.
Sources
Nutrition and Cancer: New Keys for Cure and Control 2003!
Gregory K. Ogilvie, DVM, DACVIM (Internal Medicine & Oncology)
Colorado State University
Ft. Collins, CO, USA
peteducation.com
IVIS - International Veterinary Information Service
Prostatic Disease in the Dog
Peter E. Holt, BVMS, PhD, ILTM, DECVS, CBiol, FIBiol, FRCVS
Professor of Veterinary Surgery, University of Bristol
Department of Clinical Veterinary Science
Langford, Bristol, UK
Lymphoma
Antony Moore, BVSC Diplomate ACVIM
Director, Veterinary Oncology Consultants
379 Lake Innes Drive
Wauchope NSW 2446
Australia
Canine Brain Tumors: Improvements in Diagnosis and Treatment
R Chun
School of Veterinary Medicine
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Neoplasia of the Nervous System (spinal tumors)
S. Long
School of Veterinary Medicine
University of Pennsylvania
Current Therapy for Canine Oral Tumors
M. Kessler
Tierklinik Hofheim, Germany
Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook
James M. Giffin
Liisa D. Carlson DVM
Hound Health Handbook
Betsy Brevitz, DVM
