Lymphadenitis in Dogs
Written By hannah hollinger
Published: 02/07/2016Updated: 01/18/2022
Veterinary reviewed by Dr. Linda Simon, MVB MRCVS
Lymphadenitis in Dogs - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost
What are Lymphadenitis?
Enlarged lymph nodes are generally a sign of infection. In the case of lymphadenitis, the cause is typically of a benign nature, though malignant forms are documented as well. Abnormalities and swelling of the lymph node can result in symptoms that will alert you to the fact that there is an ongoing disease present. However, it can happen that your veterinarian will find enlarged glands that you weren’t aware of during a routine examination.
Lymphadenitis is the enlargement of one or more lymph nodes in the body. The lymph nodes, or glands, increase in size in response to the influx of inflammatory cells. 
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Average Cost
$1,500
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Symptoms of Lymphadenitis in Dogs
The symptoms that you may see in your dog (in addition to these) will most likely be related to the primary disease that is causing the gland enlargement. If your dog has swollen glands, he may exhibit signs, or appear asymptomatic even if he is in pain.
  • Fever
  • Loss of appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Weakness
  • Distended abdomen
  • Coughing
  • Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
  • Excessive thirst (polydipsia)
  • Excessive urination (polyuria)
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Soft, tender nodes upon palpation
Types 
Lymphadenitis is classified depending on the extent of range in the body.
Solitary
  • A single lymph node is enlarged
Regional
  • A specific anatomical area is affected and the lymph nodes are usually interconnected
General
  • More than one area of the body is altered
It should be noted that severe lymphadenitis can extend into adjacent tissues, and can be classified as superficial or deep.
Causes of Lymphadenitis in Dogs
There are a large number of causes for lymph node inflammation, a few of which are listed here.
Infectious
Bacterial
  • Brucella canis
  • Streptococci
  • Septicemia
Rickettsial (frequently transmitted by mites, ticks)
  • Salmon poisoning
  • Ehrlichiosis
Fungal
  • Aspergillosis
  • Histoplasmosis
Parasitic
  • Toxoplasmosis
  • Babesiosis
Viral
  • Canine viral enteritides
  • Infectious canine hepatitis
Non Infectious
  • Drug reactions, immune mediated disorders like rheumatoid arthritis
Infiltrative (Neoplastic)
  • Leukemia
  • Multiple Myeloma
  • Mast Cell Tumor
  • Lymphoma
Nonneoplastic
  • Eosinophilic granuloma complex
  • Mast cell infiltration
Diagnosis of Lymphadenitis in Dogs
Part of the diagnosis of the lymph node inflammation will involve checking carefully for underlying disease processes. When you bring your furry family member to the clinic, be ready to relay as much information as possible in regards to the behavior of your dog in recent days.Your veterinary team will ask questions in order to learn more about the health status of your beloved pet.
  • Has your dog been eating well?
  • Does he have trouble swallowing?
  • Does he appear to be in pain?
  • Do you think he has lost weight?
  • Has his behavior changed (energy level, enthusiasm for regular activities)?
Your veterinarian will order a complete blood count and serum biochemistry, to look for specific markers that may point to illness or infection (hypercalcemia and hyperglobulinemia are common with lymph node inflammation). A test called polymerase chain reaction (PCR) will analyze and identify tissues. 
She may want to perform radiographs of the chest, neck, and abdomen, especially if she has been able to locate any glands that are swollen. An ultrasound can prove to be a good diagnostic tool as well since it can give a good view of organs that may be affected.
A fine needle aspirate, or needle core, partial, or excisional biopsy may be done for further investigation into the inflammatory origin.
Treatment of Lymphadenitis in Dogs
The therapy for lymphadenitis will depend on the cause. Antibiotics, antifungal medications, and anti-inflammatories will be prescribed as required. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation in the case of neoplastic inflammation will be considered, with regular follow up appointments needed to verify if the cancer is being eradicated.
Because the root of the problem can vary extensively, your veterinarian will discuss with you the various options or therapies required to best get your pet back to a normal state of health.
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Recovery of Lymphadenitis in Dogs
The recovery of lymphadenitis will depend completely on the response that your dog’s system has to the therapy. The age of your pet, their current health status, and the underlying condition will all influence prognosis.
Always complete any medicinal prescriptions that your veterinarian has prescribed, even if your pet appears to be getting better. Keep all follow up appointments as well, because many types of lymph node inflammation need careful monitoring to assure that they are being thoroughly dealt with.
Lymphadenitis can be expensive to treat. To avoid high vet care expenses, secure pet health insurance today. The sooner you insure your pet, the more protection you’ll have from unexpected vet costs.
Lymphadenitis Average Cost
From 367 quotes ranging from $200 - $3,000
Average Cost
$1,500
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Lymphadenitis Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
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Chihuahua
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Eight Years
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4 found this helpful

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4 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Swollen Neck
My dog has been acting a little funny, lately she’s been slower, she’s been staying in one spot shaking. Her neck feels swollen and a lump. Also when i pick her up she cries like i hurt her and im just trying to make her comfortable.
Sept. 26, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
4 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. She may have a problem with her neck or back,and It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine your pet, see what might be going on, and get treatment for them if needed.
Oct. 17, 2020
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Golden Retriever
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dog-age-icon
Four Years
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0 found this helpful

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0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Nodes
My pet dog is female of 4.5 years. She has 7 to 8 nodes of 1 to 2 cms on her body. She is not eating well and is in a lot of pain.
Sept. 24, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay, this venue is not set up for urgent emails. It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get any testing or treatment that might be needed.
Oct. 24, 2020
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Chihuahua
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dog-age-icon
Two Years
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6 found this helpful

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6 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Lymph Nodes Huge On Bith Sidez Of Neck
My lil girl cut a bad cut on her front leg while in the yard running and playing approx 4 days ago. I don't know what sliced her open but it has to b sharp bcuz it sliced deep and about a good 0length of my finger. I got the bleeding under control and giving her one ibprofen. It seemed to b heeling just fine as she's not complained or slowed down much at all.. Now tonight as I was getting her ready for bed I seen the huge knot with the left side a lot bigger then the right side. She's still eating normal, don't seem to b running a fever, activities normal. Infection from cut I'm sure
Aug. 6, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
6 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I think you are probably right, and the wound is probably infected. There are a lot of really bad bacteria in soil and things that are in the yard. She may become septic if she is not treated, and it would be best to have her seen by a veterinarian. They will be able to examine her, see what might be going on, and give her medication so that she is able to heal. I hope that all goes well for her.
Aug. 7, 2020
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Australian Cattle Dog
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dog-age-icon
Three Years
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3 found this helpful

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3 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Sore Throat, Fever, Not Eating, Depressed
Our dog was coughing, gagging, and would hack a week before today. 2 days ago she would whine and wince when touch her esophagus and still will. There is also swelling on the right side of her neck along with a fever. Normally she would have moments of her hacking and gagging throughout the year, I would massage her throat and she would be fine. I don't know if it's an emergency yet or not. She has a fever of 103.4, not a huge fever but above normal.
July 30, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
3 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I'm not sure that I would call this an emergency at this point, as it has been going on for a week, but I do think it would be best to have her seen by a veterinarian as soon as you can. They will be able to examine this area of pain, see what might be going on and what is causing the problem, and get treatment for her before it gets worse. I hope that all goes well for her.
July 30, 2020
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Pit bull mix
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Luna
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9 Weeks
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0 found this helpful

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0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Frequent Urination
Distended Abdomen
We got our sweet Luna when she was 6 weeks. I took her to the vet Monday. She got her first round of shots and she also had worms so she got dewormer. I was told to give her 1ml every day for three days! That finished Wednesday! Tonight I noticed her lymph nodes in her neck are swollen. I can actually see it. She’s acting completely normal. Playing and eating and drinking. I feel like she’s been urinating a lot today! We’ve had more accidents inside. We can take her out and 15 minutes later she’s going again inside. Her belly is a little distended. She has been having normal bowel movements.
Sept. 14, 2018
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Shih Tzu
dog-name-icon
Fred
dog-age-icon
Twelve Years
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0 found this helpful

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0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Hacking, Enlarged Nodes
I found an enlarged lymph node while petting my Shih Tzu. He occasionally hacked, was itchy, otherwise seemed fine. The vet did a biopsy, examined it herself, and sent to a lab. The only diagnosis was that it was "reactive" and he was put on a two-week course of antibiotics. At the two-week follow-up I told her the node seemed larger and more firm. She again did a needle biopsy, told me he had such advanced lymphoma that he had 2-4 weeks to live and put him on prednisone. Within a day he had developed more lumps. Within a couple of days the secondary lumps were gone. Now all palpable lumps are gone. His appetite is good, his energy level seems normal. It's been 19 days and I can discern no symptoms. Is this normal for lymphoma when a dog supposedly has less than two weeks to live?
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Staffordshire Bull Terrier
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Tino
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12 Years
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0 found this helpful

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0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
As Above
Lucy,the rotweiler aged 9,was taken to the vet after 3 weeks of sickness....white gums,stopped eating,lethargy,vomiting She was put down after 2months The other dog Tino,a bull terrier, since then has been not right, unsteady on legs,weak,white gums,very swollen lymph nodes,.... We were recently told that someone had been poisoning tennis balls and throwing them into our garden....its true a lot turned up and the dogs chewed themjust before their sickness stories began. Its now 9months later. We still have one of those balls , who wld test it for us.the rspca? How can tino be tested so long after the event but still sick, not so well anyway. Yes we know who was accused of this animal abuse......
Lymphadenitis Average Cost
From 367 quotes ranging from $200 - $3,000
Average Cost
$1,500
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