klgray 5,
How old is your dog?
How long has this been going on?
Can you feel lumps anywhere else? Like on the back side of the hind legs, top front of the front legs?
Has your dog shown any trouble chewing?
Dr. M
Does your dog wear a large, wide collar?
Has your dog shown any trouble chewing food?
Is your dog itching at these lumps?
Do they seem painful to your dog when you touch them?
She does not wear a collar while at home.
When she does eat, it does not seem troublesome.
She is not itching the lumps.
No pain indicated when touching.
There are two types of glands under/around the jaw line. One is the salivary glands and the other type is the lymph node glands.
Infection in or around the head/mouth can lead to swelling of the lymph nodes, but usually with swollen glands in response to infection they are painful. But don't be fooled, some dogs tolerate pain very well and don't show it.
Salivary glands can become infected or impacted. Although it is unusual for both sides to be equally affected at the same time.
As you probably know you also have to think about some forms of tumors. The common tumor to show up in lymph nodes in dogs/cats is lymphoma (some people refer to it as lymphosarcoma). But again these dog/cats will usually have most of the major peripheral lymph nodes swollen. Such as the back of the hind leg (behind the knee) or in front of the shoulder.
If any chance it is the worst possibility, don't worry too much. This type of cancer (tumor) is the most common in dogs/cats and there have been great improvements in treatments. I have one patient that we diagnosed with lymphoma two years ago and she is doing fine. (Also the cost to treat has improved as well, with shorter treatment times and less drugs used). I may be getting ahead of myself buy I assume you came to this site because you were thinking the worst.
Wait to see your veterinarian before you get too worried. Hopefully it is one of the first two options. Infections in/around the head and mouth are very common.
If I can answer anything else please let me know.
If it is lymphoma, are there any medicines or treatments we should ask our vet about if they do not offer the infomation?
The newest (old) treatment is one chemical that was commonly used in combination with several other drugs. After time and research, it was found that, this one chemical by itself was nearly as effective as the whole combination. And had fewer side effects since less was given overall.
The medication is called doxorubricin. It is given as an IV injection. The treatment is given 21 days apart until it has been done 3 times.
The treatment can be repeated if the tumor comes back. There is a limit, depending upon body size how many times you can repeat it. Long term use or too high of a dose can cause heart damage. Improper IV administration can cause damage to the skin around the vein.
I have had good success with this medication. They have few side effects. No hair loss and 0-1 days of upset stomach.
Dog Veterinarian
12yrs as veterinarian