7 Swollen Neck Conditions Low-Cost Guide

Plus a simple, non-stressful, economical diagnosis for the bulldog parent

Your bulldog walks into the room with a slightly puffy neck…
Or you’re doing your favorite “I love you so much” neck scratching session and suddenly freeze […]

“Wait… was that lump there yesterday??”

Don’t panic. Let’s figure this out in a simple, cool-headed, rational bulldog-approved manner.

#1 Leaky Salivary Gland or Duct (Salivary Mucocele)

Your bully likely to present with one-sided swelling.
The swelling isn’t the saliva itself, it’s the inflammatory reaction caused by saliva leaking into the tissue.

While this can happen in any breed, bulldogs seem particularly prone to it.

How To Diagnose Bulldog Salivary Mucocele?

• Needle aspirate: the content is likely sticky, stringy stuff
• Cytology (microscopic): mostly inflammatory cells, and hopefully some salivary cells for the “Ahh-ha!” moment
• Other: Ultrasound, Imaging, Contrast dye study

 

Bulldog Salivary Mucocele Tips:

• Swelling is often soft, fluctuant, and not painful.
• Bulldog usually acts completely normal and still wants snacks.

#2 Bulldog Reactive Lymph Node:

Usually caused by infection or inflammation nearby, such as:

1. Tooth root abscess & Dental or oral disease
2. Tonsillitis
3. Skin infection on the face/lip
4. Foreign body

How To Diagnose a Reactive Lymph Node?

Cytology typical will show reactive lymphocytes, sometimes bacteria
Other: Dental X-rays

Reactive Lymph Node Tips

One lymph node → local problem
Many lymph nodes → systemic problem

Check the mouth and take dental radiographs if needed

#3  Lymphoma (Lymph Node Cancer)

Bilateral: both submandibular nodes are enlarged

Also other peripheral lymph nodes should be bigger and harder than normal. Check behind knees, shoulders, groin, armpits.

Nodes are firm and non-painful

How To Diagnose Lymphoma Of The Neck?

• Cytology is often diagnostic (abnormal lymphocytes)
• Biopsy: can be taken for definitive diagnosis and lymphoma typing.
• Other: Bloodwork, Chest X-rays / staging

Your bulldog might act normally in the early phase

#4 Other Neck Tumors (Non-Lymphoma Cancer):

Other tumors that can occur in the neck:

• Salivary gland tumor
• Soft tissue sarcoma
• Mast cell tumor
• Thyroid tumor
• Metastatic oral tumor

Neck Tumor Tip:

Non Lymphoma neck tumors are often only on one side,  hard, irregular, and gets bigger over time

How To Diagnose Neck Tumors?

• Cytology
• Biopsy
• Imaging: Ultrasound, Radiographs, CT/MRI

#5 Swollen Neck Due To An Abscess:

Swallowing is due to large amount of pus caused by infection.

What Can Cause a Neck Abscess?

• Bite wound
• Foreign body (foxtail, stick)
• Tooth root abscess
• Skin infection

How To Test For a Neck Abscess?

1. Aspirate: Pus (usually smelly… very smelly)
2. Cytology: Lots of white blood cells and Bacteria
3. Culture: may be used to identify bacteria

Usually painful, warm, and your bulldog might feel lousy or have a fever.

#6 Bulldog Neck Hematoma

A hematoma is due to bleeding under the skin from a broken blood vessel.

What Can Cause a Hematoma of The Neck?

• Trauma
• Scratching / head shaking
• Bite
• Bleeding tumor
• Rarely a coagulation (bleeding) disorder

How To Test For a Neck Hematoma?

• Aspirate: The content aspirated is frank blood
• Cytology: mostly red blood cells
• Other Labs: CBC / coagulation tests sometimes needed

#7 Seroma and Edema of The Neck:

Serum like fluid pocket: (serum = blood without the RBC)

What Causes Seroma of The Neck?

• Blunt Trauma
• Allergic reaction (insect bite, vaccine)
• Lymphatic leakage

How To Diagnose Seroma of The Neck?

1. Aspirate: Clear or light pink fluid
2. Cytology:  low cell count

Basic In-House Neck Swelling Diagnostic Tools:

BASIC – LOW COST – IMMEDIATE

The below test solves most bulldog and Fr. bulldog neck swelling cases:

• History
• Physical exam & Palpation
• Needle Aspirate (FNA): what it looks like with the naked eye:
  • Thick & Sticky
  • Blood
  • Serum
  • Pus
• Quick in-house microscopic exam (cytology): (non-cellular, inflammatory cells, bacteria, saliva, forging material, cancer cells)

Usually, these steps narrow the problem down to one or two likely causes very quickly.

Advance Neck Swelling Diagnosis:

COSTLY-MORE TIME-EXPENSSIVE (might require anesthesia) 

• Imaging (radiographs, ultrasound, CT, MRI, contrast studies)
• Culture
• Blood Work: CBC, Coagulation profile
• Histopathology (biopsy)

Final Swollen Neck Bulldog Wisdom:

Most neck swellings are diagnosed with a exam, needle, a slide, a microscope, and a calm brain.

Trusted by Vet ~ Recommended by Owners ~ Loved by Bulldogs