The Zim Family Cocker Spaniel Forum

Vicky & Charlie · Charlie - buff male (06/26/2009)

Last week I noticed that Charlie's neck was getting bigger. At our last vet visit in May, I found out he was a few pounds underweight and we've been feeding him a bit more to bring him back to his normal 28 pounds. So I didn't think much of his neck being anything serious. But today I felt his neck again and there's no doubt that he has a huge lump on the side of his neck. It is a lot bigger than last week. It's located right around his jaw. It doesn't seem to bother him but it's bothering ME a lot. It's a long weekend here so our vet is not open until Tuesday morning.

Any ideas what it could be or not be? I'm a person who worries a lot so I'm very nervous now. :sad

Terry T. · **Posted:** Sat Aug 04, 2012 12:41 pm

I doubt a few days will make a difference, but I understand your concern. Just watch for any changes in the lump or Charlies patterns. If nothing seems to be different, I'd wait until you can get in on Tuesday.
Keeping you and Charlie in my prayers that it is nothing serious.

TinaP · **Joined:** Sat Sep 11, 2010 3:21 pm **Posts:** 3011

Vicky: I'm not sure if you have ticks there - but I found a huge lump on Emma's shoulder a couple of weeks ago and there was a tick there. I've never had a tick on any of my dogs so I sort of freaked out that it was such a BIG lump, but once I pulled the tick out, the lump subsided pretty quickly to more of a mosquito bite size.

Other than that, the only thing that comes to mind might be an inflamed salivary gland or lymph node. I worry a lot, too, so I know what you mean, but try to just stay calm until you can have him seen. I'm hoping it's nothing but a little inflammation.

Vicky & Charlie · Charlie - buff male (06/26/2009)

Yes, Tina, we do have ticks in our area. I will be looking for that. My fiance and I both looked at it earlier today and didn't feel anything that could be a bug on it but I'll check again just to make sure. I'm not joking, that lump is bigger than a golf ball! When I look at him face to face, I can see it sticking out on the side of his face. I feel so sorry for him...

dawn & kevin · **Posted:** Sat Aug 04, 2012 3:17 pm

Vickie,

Do you have any 24/7 Emergency Hospitals in your area? If you do, you might just take Charlie in and see what the lump is. Thus relieving your worries a few days earlier.

Personally, I would do that if at all possible.

Dawn

CarolB · **Joined:** Tue Sep 21, 2010 12:28 am **Posts:** 745

When my Brandy had a rapidly growing lump as you are describing, it ended up being a huge sebaceous cyst that burst. As others have said though, if you think it might be something urgent, head to the e/r vet. Hugs and prayers.

Chris Gomes · **Posted:** Sun Aug 05, 2012 1:18 am

Yikes! Could it be an abscessed tooth?
Waiting is always the hardest part for me, too...

Vicky & Charlie · Charlie - buff male (06/26/2009)

We don't think it's a tick.

Charlie did not eat his supper last night and did not want to eat his breakfast this morning either. I sure hope it's not something serious. Why do those things always happen on the weekend???

Yes we do have an animal emergency, I will call them this morning and ask questions. I will update as soon as I find out more.

Please keep your paws and fingers crossed for Charlie :sad

Darra · **Posted:** Sun Aug 05, 2012 7:24 am

This past spring, my brother-in-law found a large lump on his beagle's neck. It turned out to be a copperhead snake bite. He said you couldn't see the fang marks on the neck until the vet shaved the fur. Antibiotics cleared it up, and the dog is fine.

Dawn in KW · **Posted:** Sun Aug 05, 2012 7:27 am

Fingers and Paws crossed for Charlie that it might just be a cyst that can be removed. Fingers crossed that You are able to relax a little once he's looked at, and they find out whats going on. As a nervous nelly myself, I would be sick with worry until I found out what it is. Even when my pups broke their nails and they did bleed I was sick to my stomach and it was a trip to the vets office. One can never be to careful with our furbabies.

debbiefive · **Joined:** Sun Sep 12, 2010 9:10 pm **Posts:** 5343

I had a Doxie who had a tooth abcess. Because of that his lymph gland swelled up. Scared me to death. I know how scary it can be

Vicky & Charlie · Charlie - buff male (06/26/2009)

Here's the update. We arrived at the Animal Emergency at 1:00 pm and got back home at 5:30 pm. The vet took a look at the lump and recommended sedating Charlie to have a closer look and sample some fluid from it to analyze. Here are the notes from the file:

"The swelling has evidence of infection - it could be a solitary abscess, an infected salivary gland or an infected lymph node. At this point, surgical intervention I don't feel would help because there is obvious evidence of a pocket of material to remove. It could be that with some time the abscess will organize more and it could be easier to remove surgically. A follow up with your veterinarian either at the end of this week or early next week is recommended."

She prescribed:

- 63 Cephalexin 250mg tableds (Novo-Lexin): 1.5 tablet every 12 hours for the next 3 weeks
- Metacam for the pain: 12Kg every 24 hours.

I am hoping the antibiotics will take care of everything but I have a feeling Charlie will need a surgery to remove the lump later. Please keep him in your thoughts, the vet said he was such a good dog and she said he was in pain even if he was showing no sign of it. He's my little boy and I'm very sad for him. :paw

PeggyM · **Posted:** Sun Aug 05, 2012 3:47 pm

Thank you for the update! I am sure having had it looked at has to give you enough relief to breathe deep and sleep well tonight. Hugs to you all, and I'll keep little Charlie in my (reiki) thoughts tonight!!

Vicky & Charlie · Charlie - buff male (06/26/2009)

Since we came back home, I was able to give him his meds for today with almost an entire meal.

But he's acting very strange. He doesn't want to sit or lay down, he just stands in the middle of the place with his head low. I wonder if he's still confused from the sedation :dk

He's panting a lot too, maybe he's nervous or stressed out. I just hope we'll be able to sleep tonight...

debbiefive · **Joined:** Sun Sep 12, 2010 9:10 pm **Posts:** 5343

It may cause him discomfort. Hopefully a couple of days on the antibiotic he will improve. I will keep charlie in my thoughts

Susan in PA · **Joined:** Sun Sep 12, 2010 10:14 am **Posts:** 311

I'm keeping you and Charlie in my prayers :hp

dawn & kevin · **Posted:** Sun Aug 05, 2012 6:24 pm

Vicky & Charlie wrote:

Since we came back home, I was able to give him his meds for today with almost an entire meal.

But he's acting very strange. He doesn't want to sit or lay down, he just stands in the middle of the place with his head low. I wonder if he's still confused from the sedation :dk

He's panting a lot too, maybe he's nervous or stressed out. I just hope we'll be able to sleep tonight...

Vickie,

I hope that Charlie is feeling a little better now. I have read, here on the forum, that panting can be a sign of being in pain as well as being warm. Hopefully the Metacam has started it's job and helping him if he is in pain and that his confusion has been subsiding as the night goes on. Then the antibiotics will check in too.

I am so glad that you did take Charlie to the E.R. I am hoping that you are tankful and relieved as well.

Dawn

beckyboo · **Joined:** Sat Apr 23, 2011 3:35 pm **Posts:** 910

Vickie still praying for you and Charlie. Hopeful that the pain meds kick in!

DonnaD · Molly-Tan/Black - 3/11/2010

I am just now seeing this. Vickie both you and Charlie are in my thoughts and prayers. I just love that fella of yours. I hope this passes very quickly and he is feeling better very soon.

CarolB · **Joined:** Tue Sep 21, 2010 12:28 am **Posts:** 745

Prayers coming out... sounds like you are on the right path.... keep us posted and continued hugs and prayers

Denise in CT · **Joined:** Wed Jun 13, 2012 8:28 am **Posts:** 66

Glad to hear that you took Charlie in, and not waited till Tuesday, Hoping for a great outcome, with no surgery required.

Vicky & Charlie · Charlie - buff male (06/26/2009)

I am extremely relieved that we took him to the ER yesterday instead of waiting to Tuesday. I AM a nervous nelly and I had all those bad scenarios playing in my head. The vet's information helped me calm down quite a bit.

Charlie had an ok night. I think it took him quite a while to clean his mind from the sedation and we had to be careful around the stairs in the house.

He seems better this morning but still doesn't want to walk very much. He wants to be next to us all the time and I don't blame him. I am on vacation for the next 2 weeks so I'll take good care of him.

The vet also told me that when she shaved Charlie's neck, she found a hot spot. I had no idea he had one as he was not showing any signs like scratching or anything. I was told I could wash it gently with soap and water and just let it dry. Any of you know of another home remedy that could help? He started scratching it after we came home yesterday and I'm sure it doesn't feel good for him...

Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. :paw

beckyboo · **Joined:** Sat Apr 23, 2011 3:35 pm **Posts:** 910

I'm glad he is feeling better! When Zoey had broken out in hotspots I had prednisone from her back injury and gave her one and they cleared right up!

Jackie H · **Joined:** Sun Sep 12, 2010 2:31 pm **Posts:** 1548

I am glad you were able to take Charlie in yesterday. My fingers are crossed that the meds act quickly and get him feeling back to himself in no time. Please keep us updated.

Deborah · **Joined:** Sat Sep 11, 2010 9:27 am **Posts:** 1649

I use a saturated cotton ball with mouthwash on it to clean the spot. It won't hurt him and it dries well.

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