Inflamed lymph nodes on the puppy's neck. Inflammation of the lymph nodes (lymphadenitis) in dogs. On the thoracic limb

Lymphadenitis in dogs is a disease inflammatory in nature, which affects the pet’s lymph nodes. As you know, lymphocytes and macrophages are located inside these nodes, which protect the furry friend’s body from viruses and bacteria. It is important to understand that the role lymph nodes is that they are the first wall that can stop harmful microorganisms from entering circulatory system pet.

Veterinarians claim that due to their tendency to take the first blow of infection, the inflamed lymph nodes that are located near the lesions increase in size, making it possible to diagnose the development of pathology in the animal. In addition, lymphadenitis can also act as a separate ailment, occurring in varying degrees intensity. The article will discuss in detail the causes of inflammation of the lymph nodes in dogs, the symptoms of this disease and methods of treatment.

According to experts, inflammation of the lymph nodes occurs due to the fact that these vessels absorb toxic waste and harmful microorganisms from the tissues that are tightly adjacent to them. Thus, lymphadenopathy is a secondary pathology, a reaction to such painful phenomena as:

purulent inflammation of the joints;
abscess;
phlegmon;
osteomyelitis and myositis.

Functions lymphatic system are directly related to inflammatory processes, since substances harmful to the pet pass through its ducts. During normal functioning, toxins and viruses are disinfected, but if dogs have a weak immune system or pathological process is too strong, then the lymphoid vessels cannot cope with the task assigned to them and become inflamed.

If the infection enters the lymph node regularly and intensively, this leads to serious swelling of the organ, which produces pathogenic substances. Over time, the affected tissues die. Doctors differentiate lymph node diseases into acute and chronic. The type of organs determines what form of the pathological process will be - superficial or deep. Infectious lymphadenitis with the accumulation of purulent fluid occurs most often in pets.

Lymphadenitis can be caused by the following reasons:

The young age of the furry friend.
The animal is vulnerable to diseases of infectious etiology.
Congenital and acquired blood pathologies.
Decreased immunity, vitamin deficiency.
Uncontrolled use of drugs that contain steroids.
Mechanical damage caused by a collar that is too tight.

Experts have proven that in many ways the lymphatic system becomes inflamed due to infection entering it against the background of a general weakening of the furry friend’s immunity. Occasionally, lymphadenitis caused by non-infectious means, for example, eosinophilia, also occurs. In most cases, the factor that led to the lymph nodes becoming enlarged remains unknown.

Symptoms and diagnosis

Enlarged lymph nodes are the first symptom that an infection is progressing in the pet’s body. Visually, inflamed lymph nodes in dogs become visible only in extremely advanced cases. This has been accompanied for quite a long time general signs inflammatory processes occurring in the body. As for specific clinical changes, let’s consider them in more detail:

The lymph node clearly increases in size in the dog's neck, in its groin and in front of the shoulder blade.
The structure of the enlarged nodes is dense to the touch.
Promotion painful sensations in an animal when touching the affected ducts.
The mobility of the swelling is reduced.
If the nodes are enlarged, this will likely increase the pet’s body temperature.

Inflammation of the lymph nodes can easily be confused with other ailments. To determine the exact cause of the disease, diagnosis is necessary. The veterinarian will definitely take the blood for analysis, and they may find increased content immature forms of leukocytes and globulins in plasma. X-rays and ultrasound will determine how deep the location of the affected nodes is and whether metastases spread through the lymph. It is important for the owner to understand that if the infectious agent is identified and the possibility of lymphosarcoma is excluded, then further treatment will be quick and effective.

Regarding this dangerous illness, like lymphosarcoma, it most often develops in the submandibular and inguinal zone of the animal. A neoplasm of this type reduces the dog’s appetite, exhausts it, and the animal’s hair falls out. Other symptoms depend on which systems are involved in the pathological process: if the gastrointestinal tract, then digestive disorders will appear, if breathing, then shortness of breath. An accurate diagnosis is possible only after ultrasound and biopsy.

Treatment and prevention

If the owner discovers that something very similar to a lymph node is inflamed in the pet (especially affecting the cervical and axillary regions), then there is no need to try to treat it yourself. Take the animal to a veterinary hospital and have a specialist take blood for analysis. After preliminary diagnosis, the pet may be prescribed a heating pad to the affected area and antibiotic medications.

It is important to understand that lymph nodes should absolutely not be heated if the dog already has an elevated body temperature. In such cases, antibiotics and drugs are prescribed active substances which are capable of stimulating immune system. If purulent exudate has collected in the inflamed duct, the treatment regimen includes bandages with Vishnevsky ointment.

Particularly large nodes that interfere with the animal’s movement can be opened during surgery. Drainage is used to drain fluid accumulated inside. After surgery, vitamins will be prescribed. If the body temperature remains elevated after taking antibiotics, the doctor may suspect the oncological nature of the enlarged lymph ducts. In many ways, treatment of lymphosarcoma depends on the stage of the process. This includes hormone therapy and chemotherapy if the animal is able to tolerate it.

Preventive measures should be aimed at preventing the pet from contracting the infection. Get routine vaccinations, take your barking friend to the doctor for checkups, prevent him from hypothermia during the cold season, diversify your dog’s diet with fruits and vegetables. And remember, an increase in the ducts of the lymphatic system is a sure sign that an infection has developed in the pet’s body, which the immune system is no longer able to fight. Ignoring this can lead to the death of your pet.

Inflammation of the lymph nodes in a dog (lymphadenitis) is a sign of quite a few diseases. First of all, it indicates that something is wrong in the body.

Lymph nodes filter, cleanse lymph, enriching it with lymphocytes. At the same time they delay harmful substances entering the body, or infectious agents. If the dog is healthy, they cope with their task.

However, if the animal’s body is weakened and at that moment pathogenic microorganisms enter its lymphatic system, the immune system cannot neutralize them. In such a situation, the lymph node’s own cells begin to multiply intensively and the node itself enlarges. It is intensively supplied with blood, becomes tense and hot, and when palpated the dog experiences pain.

Even the slightest changes in the dog’s behavior should serve as a signal for its owner to carefully examine the animal. This examination must include careful palpation of the dog’s head and neck, namely, the places where the lymph nodes are located. It's between the top and lower jaw, a little closer to the ear and under the lower jaw.

In a healthy animal, the lymph nodes on the head should not be palpable. And if you feel balls under the skin, this means that the lymph nodes are inflamed and this indicates the presence of a disease.

Causes of inflammation of the lymph nodes in dogs

There can be quite a few reasons, and they can be very diverse.

It could be:

immune response to bacterial or viral infection,
malignant neoplasms
or even a reaction to mechanical pressure from a tight collar

Swelling of the lymph nodes is divided into acute and chronic. Acute swelling characteristic of acute course inflammation lymphatic vessels, which occurs as a result of infectious anemia, rhinitis, glanders. Chronic swelling of the lymph nodes on the dog's head is most often associated with chronic rhinitis or nasal glanders.

An increase in the volume of all lymph nodes on the dog’s body occurs with tuberculosis, anthrax, actymosis, hyperplasia (the appearance of tumors in tissues), leukemia () and lymphoma (lymphosarcoma).

Treatment

Lymph nodes are not treated specifically. Only if they mechanical damage(for example, with a tight collar), it is necessary to remove all interfering factors. In other cases of inflammation of the lymph nodes, it is necessary to treat the primary disease.

Therefore, in any case, if inflamed lymph nodes are detected in a dog, it is necessary to urgently contact and undergo examinations in order to establish an accurate diagnosis and begin adequate treatment of the dog.

More often, antibiotics are prescribed for viral and infectious diseases, and if the lymph nodes in the neck do not shrink when using them, this may mean that the dog has lymphoma (lymphosarcoma). In such a situation, treatment with hormones is prescribed, specific tests, and then chemotherapy is prescribed.

Lymphadenitis in dogs is one of the most serious infectious diseases, which can be primary or secondary, but in both cases it negatively affects the condition of the entire body. Just like people, dogs also get sick often. various diseases. Often such infections cause complications that seriously undermine the health of the animal.

The inflammatory process requires serious treatment and timely hospitalization. Study self-treatment doctors do not recommend it, since the disease develops quite quickly and can lead to fatal outcome or develop into a chronic illness with serious complications.

Information about lymphadenitis

An infection in a dog may result in a slight enlargement of the lymph nodes. It may be a slight enlargement, bump or lump. Such inflammation is usually at the beginning of the disease, very small, but clearly gives a signal about the presence of infection in the body.

In this case, you should immediately seek qualified medical help.
It is worth noting the fact that with inflamed lymph nodes the animal feels severe pain when pressing on the enlarged area. Each of the animals during such infectious disease There are different symptoms, and they do not always appear immediately.

Infection can be caused by different reasons, both hereditary and after illnesses.
This disease can happen to your four-legged friend at any age, so even little puppy requires special attention to prevent various complications.

Symptoms of lymphadenitis in dogs

When the lymph nodes are enlarged, in addition to the resulting bumps, the animal feels severe pain throughout the body, and the temperature often rises. The pet feels constant shortness of breath, heavy breathing, and impaired normal operation intestines and digestion, swallowing food becomes difficult. During enlarged lymph nodes, the dog's sleep is disturbed. Such symptoms can occur in varying degrees of complexity; in some animals, only external factors infections.
Except common symptoms, each breed may exhibit abnormalities and other signs of the disease.

Most often, this is an enlargement of the cervical lymph nodes. These diseases are more common small breeds, as well as animals with large weight and breathing problems ( french bulldogs, pugs, spaniels, Great Danes, Alabais and Staffordshire bull terriers) or light. If your pet has at least one of the listed symptoms, you should immediately contact a veterinarian and do not self-medicate.

Causes of enlarged lymph nodes

Most often, the cause of enlarged lymph nodes is various infections, as well as a consequence of previous diseases.

The occurrence of pathologies:

Chronic inflammatory process. Frequent colds, infectious diseases. Any tissue damage can provoke infection and its development.
Increased sensitivity or allergic reactions for pathogens (if there is constant contact with allergens). It may be due to poor nutrition or allergies of various types.
Sensitization. In such cases, you need to seek help to avoid anaphylactic shock.
Shortness of breath often occurs as the first sign of illness. The pet constantly feels discomfort and insufficient air.
Insufficient functioning of the immune system. To do this, additional work needs to be done to improve the immune system.
Toxicity in low-quality dog food and nutrition. Very often the cause may be supplements or vitamins.
Problems with the blood system, leukemia, which is considered a common disease.

Often the disease manifests itself unnoticed, and many owners begin to treat it as usual colds. The pet's general malaise does not indicate a serious condition. If you notice strong lumps and abscesses on your pet, this may indicate damage to the lymph tissue.

Important! Do not treat such formations traditional methods, as burns and tissue death may occur.

In addition to such reasons, lymphadenitis can occur due to heredity, frequent hypothermia, poor nutrition and insufficient care. The infection can enter the body through the paws.

Treatment of infection in dogs

Treatment of lymphadenitis in dogs begins immediately after the first symptoms are detected, as well as the identification of lumps or bumps on the animal’s body (this can be inflammation on the head, neck, etc.) armpits). If your pet has long, thick fur, you may need to palpate it from time to time to check for lumps.

A specialist must examine the dog, take appropriate blood and urine tests, and possibly place him in a hospital for additional examination. Only after such mandatory measures have been taken will the doctor prescribe treatment. Treatment usually consists of several stages and depends on the symptoms and severity of the affected areas. The veterinarian will always prescribe antibiotics to clear up the infection. Additionally, you need to give immunostimulants and vitamins. They can be in tablets and injections, and also as additional additives in food.

If the doctor notices purulent formations (about reproductive organs separately), they are removed using drainage or compresses that draw out pus. Such treatment methods are carried out in a hospital. Opening ulcers on your own at home is strictly prohibited, since the infection can spread to other organs and affect the epithelial tissue even more.

In some cases, the veterinarian may prescribe heating and rubbing to reduce inflammation. antibacterial agents affected areas. When using antibiotics, you need to take additional medications to work the intestines and improve the microflora. Monitor nutrition and additional supplements in the diet.

Disease Prevention

Since lymphadenitis is a consequence of other diseases or infectious diseases, it is difficult to identify. You need to constantly monitor your pet and check for inflammation. If other symptoms are observed, consult a doctor immediately.

To avoid complications, you need to monitor additional supplements in the diet, as well as give your dog dairy products and take care of proper operation intestines. If possible, you can wipe your paws after a walk with antibacterial agents. It is important to monitor the condition of your skin, as well as general condition body.

For the dog you need to provide proper care, frequent walking, additionally strengthen the immune system so that in case of infection the body can overcome it on its own, without additional intake antibiotics.

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Dogs are often exposed to infectious or bacterial infections, the consequences of which can cause great harm to the dog. One of these diseases is lymphadenitis, that is, inflammation of the lymph nodes. The disease is dangerous for the animal, since the degree of protection of the animal from various infections depends on the proper functioning of the lymphatic system.

Lymph nodes can be called specific body filters, in which lymphocytes are located, which are responsible for the body’s ability to resist infections, so the condition of the pet’s entire body depends on their functioning.

Lymphadenitis can be like independent disease, so secondary symptom another disease, it occurs in both acute and chronic forms. Predictions for the animal's condition depend on proper treatment.

Causes

Inflammation of the lymph nodes occurs due to the penetration of various pathogenic microorganisms. There are two types of lymphadenitis:

Nonspecific (it is caused by streptococci, staphylococci, coli and other microorganisms).
Specific (occurs as a complication of another disease).

The primary focus for nonspecific lymphadenitis can be various purulent wounds, boils, ulcers, tissue inflammation, caries, thrombophlebitis, as a rule, these diseases cause local lymphadenitis.

Specific lymphadenitis can occur in a dog that suffers from gonorrhea, tularemia, tuberculosis, plague, syphilis, anthrax and a number of other infections.

The first symptom of acute nonspecific lymphadenitis will be painful enlargement lymph nodes, increased body temperature, sometimes up to 42 - 42.5 degrees, weakness and malaise, a sharp decline appetite, tachycardia, sleep disturbance. U healthy dog palpable only inguinal lymph nodes, when palpated they do not cause pain to the animal, but if the submandibular or cervical lymph nodes visible or easy to palpate, this indicates the beginning of the inflammatory process.

Often acute lymphadenitis develops after the main inflammatory process subsides. If lymphadenitis was not diagnosed immediately, it quickly turns into purulent form, the animal experiences constant pain, the skin near the lymph node turns red. This threatens the spread of the purulent process to other organs and tissues.

Acute lymphadenitis sometimes develops into a chronic form; the chronic form is characterized by enlargement and thickening of the lymph nodes, at the same time the painful sensations practically go away, purulent process in the chronic form, lymphadenitis does not occur. Also chronic form may occur due to various microtraumas, chronic tonsillitis, frequent inflammations jaws and teeth.

Diagnostics

It is very important for correct diagnosis contact your veterinarian promptly As a rule, the diagnosis of lymphadenitis occurs after examination and palpation of the dog, however, to make an accurate diagnosis and identify the type of lymphadenitis, the following studies will be carried out on the dog:

Clinical and biochemical blood tests.
Analysis of urine.
Lymph node biopsy.
X-ray examination.
Ultrasonography.

In severe cases, research is supplemented by computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging.

Treatment

The basic rule for the treatment of lymphadenitis is do not try to self-medicate and especially warm the lymph nodes, if the dog’s body temperature is already elevated; on the contrary, to reduce swelling it is advisable to apply ice to the lymph node.

Since lymphadenitis is the body’s reaction to infection, each case will require individual therapy. If the cause of the disease is bacterial infection, then treatment will be carried out with antibiotics, for allergic etiology - antihistamines. Very often in the first stages of the disease it is used ichthyol ointment or Vishnevsky ointment, both drugs perfectly help cope with inflammatory process in the lymph nodes.

In severe cases, you have to resort to surgical interventions, the lymph node is opened and drainage is installed. If the lymph nodes in the dog’s groin are inflamed, the animal may even need to be castrated. Very often, with purulent lymphadenitis, a fistula or abscess occurs, in which case a surgeon is also indispensable. Throughout the treatment, the dog is treated with immunostimulating drugs, vitamin therapy, and a special diet.

At the same time with drug therapy for lymphadenitis, decoctions are used medicinal herbs, for example St. John's wort, plantain, calamus root, wormwood, thyme, licorice, lavender, elderberry.

Treatment of specific lymphadenitis is carried out simultaneously with treatment of the underlying disease.

If the cause of the dog’s disease is leukemia, then lymphadenitis cannot be treated at all; chemotherapy takes the main place in treatment.

Prevention

If treatment of the disease was started on time and was strictly under the supervision of a veterinarian, then the prognosis of the disease is favorable for the animal. If proper treatment is not given, scarring of the lymph node may occur and the infection may spread to other organs of the dog.

To minimize the possibility of lymphadenitis in your pet, you must:

Avoid microtraumas in the animal.
Prevent infection of the animal's existing wounds.
Timely treatment of diseases that can lead to specific lymphadenitis.
Carefully monitor the condition of your animal's teeth.
Check your pet's lymph nodes regularly.