Enlarged Popliteal Lymph Node

Stiff Knees

Stiff Knees

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The Labrador whirlwind that is The Peril has an enlarged Popliteal Lymph Node in her right leg. It is the size of a walnut. I noticed it yesterday when drying her off after her walk. She has had a needle aspiration and the cells have been sent off to the lab. She's very well in herself, no temperature, no change in appetite, plenty of energy. Vet won't speculate as to what the cause may be. Results due back on or around 27th December. Does anyone have any experience of this and what was the outcome???️
 
Bellasophia

Bellasophia

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https://www.vin.com/apputil/content/defaultadv1.aspx?pId=11181&id=3852145&print=1
Whilst you wait for results,link above for your perusal..if it’s just the one node enlarged it could be associated with
“pathological change in the tissue drained by that node. For example, oral infectious or neoplastic disease will often result in uni-or bilateral submandibular lymphadenopathy.”.
....so check the dogs mouth..simple mouth infection traveling to this lymph node will cause enlargement,or even caused by an autoimmune response.
( recent vaccination?)

The needle aspirate will reveal any sinister cells too,so you should have a complete answer when the biopsy gets back..from the age of your dog I’d not worry too much..no news is good news.

back to link.
multiple possibilities,but you are not there (one node enlarged )and this is just for info...
IF multiple nodes affected ,then the possible causes increase..if you see two nodes are involved...then you move on to other possibilities..see link
Reactive hyperplasia
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Primary or secondary inflammation of the node (lymphadenitis)
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Mineral-associated lymphadenopathy
Bullet1.gif
metastatic neoplasia
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Lymph node haemorrhage, infarction or oedema.

But,with so,many possibilities your vet won’t commit himself..but if you ve just the one node involved,I’d not worry too much and it’s likely to be resolved without too much stress.

let us know.
 
Stiff Knees

Stiff Knees

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No visible problems in mouth, no recent vaccination, guess I'll just have to be patient (I don't really do patient)?. Thanks for the link x
 
Stiff Knees

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Still no news, I called the Vet on 27th as advised and was told that the Lab does not open until today. I'll call again this afternoon. Peril is fit and well, full of energy and her usual bright self. I think the lymph node has reduced in size slightly, that particular lymph node serves the leg and paw area it seems so it is possible that she has had an injury that I haven't spotted, and the lymph node has reacted to that. I'm hoping for good news. Will post as soon as I have spoken to the Vet later this afternoon. ?
 
Stiff Knees

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Just as a precaution, over the last few days I've been bathing her feet, drying them and then spraying with Leucillin, then applying her Musher 's Wax. She has been beating over the last few weeks over really tough terrain, felled forestry etc, so we've paid particular attention to her feet and haven't seen any soreness or injury but I've now stepped up her foot care regime even further, which she loves. She sits on the "treatment tile" on the kitchen floor and nods off as I attend to her paws ??
 
Stiff Knees

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Still no news, apparently patience is a virtue ?. I've now been told that the results may take more than a week due to Christmas break. Incredibly frustrating. ?
 
Stiff Knees

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So, Peril's lymph node has enlarged again and she is intermittently not putting weight on her right back leg. Sound when she walks, but lifting that leg when stood still and "feeling" it when laid down. I've rested her and given Metacam for three days, and intend to take her back to Vet early next week to ask them to X-Ray her from hip to paw. She flinches when I touch her paw but is ticklish so I'm not convinced that she's flinching from pain. Again, no sign of injury anywhere. She's happy to lay like a frog with her legs stretched behind her. Bit of a mystery. Worried now it might be a hip issue, being a Labrador. ? I hope not. I would have rushed her back to the Vet but thought rest and Metacam might resolve the issue, sadly not.
 
Stiff Knees

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Peril is skipping this morning when walking on crunchy snow ?. I'll be calling the Vet as soon as they open to book her in for investigations.
 
Clodagh

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Are you sure there isn’t a hard to find crack in her paw?
If she is spreading her legs out I hope it would be be a hip issue, surely she couldn’t do that if it hurt.
I do hope the vet finds the issue soon so you can stop worrying. Poor Peril x

ETA I am absolutely not doubting that you have checked her over properly but whenever T has a problem it is caused by her feet so I am projecting. Also remembering the time I worried myself sick that her hip was going and it was a cracked paw.
 
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