Expert: Charlotte Sherrell, DVM - 9/24/2008

Question
My friend called me earlier and asked me what he should do because his dog, its a bull mastiff, has swollen glands about the size of a golf ball on both sides of his neck/jaw. He doesn't really have to money to take the dog to the vet.the dog is almost 1, and he will still eat and is still very playful. i would really like to know what could possibly be wrong.

Answer
Kimberly -

Swollen glands on both sides of the neck usually indicate swollen lymph nodes.  Swollen lymph usually are an indication of some kind of infection or inflammatory reaction occurring in the body.  

You should advise your friend to take his dog to a vet to determine if his dog does in fact have an infection. Often, the treatment is not as expensive as one might expect.  

Best Regards,

Charlotte Sherrell, DVM