My senior dog has a hard neck lump, swelling, and can't breathe. What's wrong?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Golden Retriever | Male | neutered | 13 years and 2 months old
my golden retriever (14 yrs old) has had a lump at his neck area for a while, yesterday the whole neck became very hard and he couldn't breathe properly and couldn't walk. His jaw area (right hand side) also is swelling. We went to a vet nearby who doesn't know what's going on because there was no equipment to make examination. The vet gave him two injections to calm down the imflmation and swell. My dog is breath is short and quick. Could you help what this is and how to deal with this please?
3 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on September 29th, 2017
How does a vet have no equipment to examine the dog? If that vet did not know what is going after looking at the dog I'm not sure how much I can tell you over the internet without looking at the dog. The most I can tell you is that at 14 years old this is likely cancer and you are not going to be able to fix it. I suggest you take him to another vet that does have equipment so you can try to get a diagnosis. A biopsy of the tumors are needed. If it is cancer it may have spread to his lungs and that is why is not able to breathe well. If you cannot afford to do all the testing to figure out what is happening then you may need to make the decision to euthanize him as it sounds like he is suffering and in pain. Please take him to another vet to get this sorted out.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on March 5th, 2020
These reports are not conclusive - a biopsy would be useful to determine the underlying cause and to guide the most appropriate treatment. The difficulty breathing is a concern and chest x-rays would be recommended to check for any spread of disease
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on July 3rd, 2017
The lump needs to be checked and analysed as there are many conditions and types of tumors that could look like that. take Boo to the vet, they will perform a fine needle aspiration on the growth and send it to the lab for analysis. when the result comes, the vet will advise what needs to be done according to the diagnosis.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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