Hi I am a newer member and also new to Bulldogs having just found my little guy a year ago. My bully plays with a neighbor's bulldog including biting and holding on to each other's faces and jaws. It appears that they're being gentle, there's no growling or signs of distress. However last night I noticed a golf ball size swelling under my dog's jaw where the lymph node would be. I live in a rural area where there is no emergency vet available but I called my veterinarian and left a message and they called me promptly this morning before 8. Of course I took my dog to the vet immediately by then this golf ball-sized swelling had become about the size of a small avocado.
The vet said it was an inflamed lymph node, he was running a 103 temp, had irritation in his tail pocket. He gave him a shot of antibiotics and also another shot of abx for me to give him in the morning. Then I have a return appointment on Thursday. I was told to watch for a soft spot developing in the swelling as that would be a sign of abscess it would have to be drained. My question is, do you think this was from the rough play with the neighbor dog? The neighbors bulldog has an inch underbite and I'm wondering if perhaps the lymph node was irritated by the tooth of the other bully or if it was just coincidental. They love playing together so much that I hate restricting that however also don't want another injury like this to my Otis. I need input as well as ideas for the tail pocket. I thought I was keeping it cleaned but had noticed a smell like an expressed anal gland. I'm apparently not doing something right so help me all you can because I'm madly in love with his dog I want to do what's best for him but Bulldogs are a complete foreign creature to me! Thank you in advance
The vet said it was an inflamed lymph node, he was running a 103 temp, had irritation in his tail pocket. He gave him a shot of antibiotics and also another shot of abx for me to give him in the morning. Then I have a return appointment on Thursday. I was told to watch for a soft spot developing in the swelling as that would be a sign of abscess it would have to be drained. My question is, do you think this was from the rough play with the neighbor dog? The neighbors bulldog has an inch underbite and I'm wondering if perhaps the lymph node was irritated by the tooth of the other bully or if it was just coincidental. They love playing together so much that I hate restricting that however also don't want another injury like this to my Otis. I need input as well as ideas for the tail pocket. I thought I was keeping it cleaned but had noticed a smell like an expressed anal gland. I'm apparently not doing something right so help me all you can because I'm madly in love with his dog I want to do what's best for him but Bulldogs are a complete foreign creature to me! Thank you in advance