Hi Carebear!
You two are very attentive owners!! Most clients can't appreciate such things!! The fact that you think they are swollen under the throat latch and just behind her rear legs ( popliteal lymph nodes), does concern me quite a bit!!
Lymph nodes can become reactive due to stimultion from infectious, inflammatory, and cancerous agents within the bloodstream and soft tissues of the body.
As you are a self-admitted camper, than all of the Rickettsial or TickBorne diseases must also be considered!!
My BEST advice for you is to do the following things:
1. See your vet so that they can assess and size all lymph nodes....there may be even MORE enlarged that you are not able to assess.
2. Have a Rickettsial Screen for Lyme's Disease, Rocky Mtn. Spotted Fever, and Erlichia done on your pet ASAP.
3. If your vet is convinced there is significant lymphadenopathy ( generalized enlargement of many nodes), than the next step is to do full bloodwork, chest xrays, and a lymph node biopsy.
I know this may sound scary, but you catching any of these things EARLY may make your pet's prognosis much better than could ever have been anticipated!!
Please review the following links FYI pending your trip to the vet:
http://www.lbah.com/lymphnode.htm (this one has great pictures!!! )
http://www.minden.com/nowhereelse/canine_tick_disease.htm
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/10500.htm
http://www.vin.com/proceedings/Proceedings.plx?CID=WSAVA2004&PID=8596&O=Generic
These links were provided to INFORM you not scare you!!!
Your GS may very well be perfectly healthy!! As a vet, I have to take enlarged lymph nodes in several places on the body very seriously!!!!
Please provide me with an update once you have seen your vet and had some diagnostics done!!!
Please Remember to PRESS ACCEPT for my professional attention to your concerns!! Feedback is appreciated!
Sincerely, XX. XXXXX
Veterinarian
Veterinarian in Small Animal Practice for 13 years