Experienced and professional animal trainer provide their insights in answering this question :
A. Your pet may have been stung or biten by something or had an allergic reaction. If it starts to affect its breathing or vomits or if the swelling doesn`t start to decrease after a couple of hours then call your vet as soon as possible.

How to Identify Common Pet Problems ?

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Other causes of a swelling in the neck may include inflammation of the salivary gland, salivary gland tumors, infection with abscess in the neck due to a foreign body, enlarged lymph nodes, and embryonic cysts such as a thyroglossal cyst, cystic Ratheke`s pouch, or a branchial cyst.
The most common cause of lymph node swelling in your neck is an upper respiratory infection. These infections can take 10 to 14 days to resolve completely. As soon as you start feeling better, the swelling should go down as well. But it may take a few weeks longer to go away completely.
Swollen lymph glands are usually a sign of infection and tend to go down when you recover. However, they can sometimes have a more serious cause and may need to be seen by a doctor. Lymph glands (also called lymph nodes) are pea-sized lumps of tissue that contain white blood cells.
Swollen dog paws are often caused by stepping on sharp objects, getting paw, or toe in between a door, insect bites and constant chewing on foot. More cases may be paw bleeding, sloughing of paw pads and sturdy walking. Treatment can help, depending on the cause of the inflammation.
The most common cause of leg swelling in dogs is injury, which can be a sprain, dislocation, joint and hip trauma, muscle tears, or paw injury. Injuries cause joints to expand and accumulate fluid leading to swelling.
Neck swelling is a buildup of fluid in the tissues of the neck or inflammation in the neck. Neck swelling may be due to an infection, injury, or a recent medical procedure. Benign skin conditions can make small areas of the neck appear swollen.
There are other illnesses that can cause a neck lump: Autoimmune diseases, cancer, and other disorders of the thyroid gland, such as goiter due to iodine deficiency, can cause enlargement of part or all of your thyroid gland. Viruses, such as mumps, can make your salivary glands enlarged.
Examples of autoimmune diseases that can cause swollen lymph nodes are: Lupus. Rheumatoid arthritis. Sjögren`s syndrome.
See a GP if:

your swollen glands are getting bigger or they`ve not gone down within 2 weeks. they feel hard or do not move when you press them. you`re having night sweats or have a very high temperature (you feel hot and shivery) for more than 3 or 4 days. you have swollen glands and no other signs of illness or …

Allergic reactions are the most common cause of facial swelling in dogs. Bee stings, medications, certain foods, vaccinations, exposure to toxins, pollen and bug bites are just some of the many potential allergens that may affect a dog if they present with a swollen face.
Symptoms of Edema in Dogs

Sometimes, the dog will just look puffy all over, as if their entire body is swollen. This can happen when the body doesn`t have adequate protein, has too much sodium, or if there is a severe bacterial infection.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used to control pain and inflammation in dogs. NSAIDs help many dogs lead more comfortable lives, but these drugs should be used carefully because they all can cause side effects, some of which can be serious.
The clinical signs of more advanced kidney failure include loss of appetite, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, and very bad breath. Occasionally, ulcers will be found in the mouth.
Lymphedema is a build-up of fluid. When the flow of lymph fluid is impaired in the head and neck region, excess lymph accumulates, causing swelling.
Swollen lymph nodes caused by a virus usually return to normal after the viral infection resolves. Antibiotics are not useful to treat viral infections. Treatment for swollen lymph nodes from other causes depends on the cause: Infection.
The most common cause of swelling of the lymph nodes in your neck is from illnesses such as strep throat, measles, or an ear infection. Rarely, they can indicate immune disorders or cancer.
Cellulitis is a common bacterial skin infection that causes redness, swelling, and pain in the infected area of the skin. If untreated, it can spread and cause serious health problems. Good wound care and hygiene are important for preventing cellulitis.
Some medications cause swollen lymph nodes as a side effect. These include: Some antibiotics (cephalosporins, sulpha drugs, penicillins) Some blood pressure medications (captopril, atenolol, hydralazine)
Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency can cause or worsen neck and back pain and muscle spasm.
If you have lupus, which is a type of autoimmune disorder, you may notice swelling in your feet and ankles. Lower limb swelling occurs in approximately half of all people with lupus. Lupus frequently damages the kidneys, which are responsible for maintaining the correct quantities of fluid in the body.
If you come down with a common cold, the flu, COVID-19, or another upper respiratory infection, you may notice that the glands in your neck become swollen. Those glands are called lymph nodes, which swell in response to illness.
Swollen glands are usually a sign the body is fighting an infection. They usually get better by themselves in two to three weeks. Occasionally they can be a sign of more serious illness.
They can last for a couple of weeks. People with COVID symptoms like cough, congestion, runny nose, and sore throat are more likely to develop swollen neck nodes.
Lymphedema and Lymphoma

The swelling can be a complication caused by the cancer, although in rare cases—mostly in women—it also may be a symptom of the cancer. There are reports of leg swelling as the first sign of lymphoma, often with swollen lymph nodes in the groin area or a cancer growing in the abdomen.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

Q. Hello.. My jack russel has started to get a bowed front leg at the ankle and is causing him to limp quiet a lot.. Is there anything that can be done.?
ANSWER : A. It is possible an injury or deformity of the leg is causing the limp and physical changes you are seeing. Sprains, breaks, strains and even nutritional deficiencies may cause the leg to bow and pain/limping to occur. Having a vet take an X-ray and examine the leg is best to determine the cause of the changes and limp as well as the treatment needed. Casting, bed rest, and medications to treat pain may all be needed to help the leg heal. Until you can get to the vet, a regime of strict kennel rest with leashed walks only to go potty outside will help reduce any further injury to the leg and decrease pain.

Read Full Q/A … : Jack Russell FAQs Page!

Q. Boxer has gotten a few swollen glands under chin neck area it has spread pretty quickly to other side. Now he has huge lumps. What should I do?
ANSWER : A. Lumps and bumps are very common in dogs and can be caused by a variety of reasons ranging from allergies and rashes, to infections under the skin, to tumors, cysts and other growths. The neck also has a large amount of structures including lymph nodes, salivary glands, thyroid glands, nerves and more making it hard to determine what the problem is without examination.

As the location of your Boxer’s swellings are near the face and neck, and because they are spreading rapidly, it may indicate a severe allergic reaction to something and should be looked at by your vet or emergency clinic as soon as possible. Swelling around the head, face and neck can quickly become serious, especially if it begins to affect airways.

Q. Cats legs and paws are swollen. In the morning her chin is but it goes away after a couple hours. Have any idea what’s going on?
ANSWER : A. If multiple body parts are swollen, or your cat’s head, face or neck are swollen it may indicate a severe allergic reaction. In these cases it is best to contact your local vet or emergency clinic as soon as possible for treatment.

If the swelling is minor, it may be caused by a number of things ranging from scratches or stings from bugs, allergies or a minor allergic reaction to a medication, food or treatment. Your vet can provide you with an over the counter antihistamine dosage to treat acute minor swelling.

Swelling in the body such as the chest and abdomen, or extremities can also sometimes indicate problems such as heart disease or other internal organ disease. If your cat is experiencing chronic swelling, scheduling a complete wellness exam with your vet is best.

Q. My dog has a hard time walking on his front legs. I was told he has nerve damage and he was walking on three legs now it seems to be both front legs
ANSWER : A. Problems with walking in the front legs can be caused by a large number of things. Arthritis in older dogs can cause joint pain and stiffness which may make walking hard. Nerve or muscular damage may also cause problems.

With nerve or muscle damage there is often a loss of muscle tone in the affected limbs. Limbs may look skinnier than unaffected ones, and may lose overall muscle mass. In some cases, treatment for pain or soreness may help improve symptoms some. Depending on the severity of the damage, some dogs may recover while others have permanent damage.

It may also be that if your dog was putting all his weight on one front leg to help the other, that the good front leg is now stiff and sore. Restricting exercise, giving a supplement to help joints and bones and following your veterinarian’s recommendations for care can all help your dog to feel a little better.

Q. My Chihuahua was jumping and suddenly started whining. Now she won’t put her hind leg down, but doesn’t cry when I mess with it. Will it heal on own?
ANSWER : A. Leg injuries are very common in small dogs, especially if they have jumped from a high place, or even stumbled and landed on the leg wrong. Leg injuries can be caused by anything from minor sprains and strains, to full blown breaks or joint tears and even arthritis or luxating patellas (knee joints that slip in and out). If the leg appears swollen, dislocated or there is visible bone or bleeding, veterinary care should be sought. Providing strict kennel rest and decreased activity for a day or two can help with minor injuries, however if the limping continues for more than a day you should make an appointment with your local veterinarian.

Read Full Q/A … : Causes of Limping in Dogs

Q. My pomeranians back leg is bothering her I believe it is sprained she cant walk on it.she can stand on it and is not in any pain should she see vet
ANSWER : A. If you believe the leg may be sprained or you are seeing signs of injury such as pain, swelling, limp or loss of use of the leg, then scheduling a veterinary appointment is best. Your vet can examine the leg, and may also recommend an X-ray to check for breaks, sprains and dislocations that can all cause these issues. Until you can get into your vet it is best to limit all activity to strict kennel rest and leashed walks outside ONLY to go potty to help reduce the pain and decrease further injury to the limb.

Q. My sister’s dog is digging the hair off from his legs. Any advice?
ANSWER : A. Biting and chewing to the point of hair loss can be caused by a number of things. Allergies, skin infections, and even metabolic illnesses can all cause the skin to become bothersome, or hair to be lost. In some cases, the behavior of licking or chewing at the hair can become chronic, and lead to infections or sores on the leg.

It is best to have your sister bring her dog in to have the legs looked at. Your vet can check for any signs of infection, allergy or even external parasites and provide treatment for relief. If there is no apparent cause, your vet may also recommend a blood test to check for internal illness as the cause.

Until you can get to the vet, it is best to prevent the dog from licking or scratching at the area. An Elizabethan collar (cone) is best to stop the behavior and allow the legs to rest some until they can be examined. If there is any dirt or debris in the area, a warm clean washcloth can be used to keep the area clean and prevent secondary infection until it can be examined.

Q. My dog is a German shepherd, he is 12 years old.His back legs are week and I have just noticed both back legs are swelling some.any advice? waiting on
ANSWER : A. You need to see your vet. It could be arthritis, soft tissue swelling, infection or possibly Lyme disease.