I have several dogs that are coming down with something that resembles mumps in humans. They have a soft swelling in the neck or throat area beneath the jaw and/or swelling on the sides of the head near the jaw joints. One dog had that yesterday and I thought she had probably tried to catch a wasp and got stung, and the swelling appeared to be going down when I discovered it. She was more of less back to normal this morning. This stuff is appearing literally overnight. Does anyone know what this is? I've never seen anything like this and I have had dogs all my life--literally hundreds of dogs. Any ideas? I really don't need a vet bill right now.

-- Green (ratdogs10@yahoo.com), November 09, 2000

Answers

Green, We had a bullmastiff that had signs like you are describing. Our vet diagnosed it as a staph infection. We were told he most likely contracted it from drinking from the commode or eating droppings.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), November 09, 2000.

Not sure about mumps Green, but our little one (6 month old dachshaund) did get tonsilitis not too long ago. Doctor put him on antibiotics and said we'd have to watch him real close for any signs of it re-occuring. Said it it re-occured too often we might have to take his tonsils out. He's not one to do anything like that unless absolutely necessary though. I had never heard of a dog with tonsilitis before. Funny thing was, when he barked, he was actually hoarse. Then he stopped eating and was real lethargic. Scared me to death so I didn't waste any time getting him to the doctor. I took him in the next morning. Doc. also gave him a shot and by that evening he was like a different pup. I was sure relieved to see it too. I wish you the best and a speedy recovery for your canine companions. Take care.

-- Greenthumbelina (sck8107@aol.com), November 09, 2000.

I don't think it is tonsillitis, although it is possible. I also understand that dogs can contract tonsillitis from humans, although none of us has been sick.

Jay, what did you use to treat the staph infection? That may be it, although the dog that was so swollen she could hardly eat at 6 p.m. is already doing better. The swelling is going down and she feels good enough to follow me around again and wags her tail now when she is talked to. I did give her some terramycin, but the puppy I thought was wasp stung got nothing and did the same thing.

Thanks.

-- Green (ratdogs10@yahoo.com), November 09, 2000.

What is the temperature of the affected dogs? If it is way above normal(102 degrees F. is normal), like 104 to 106 F., suspect Salmon Poisoning Disease ( only if you live where the salmon run); if the temperature is only slightly elavated, it could be the onset of canine distemper, or canine parvovirus, in both, the symptoms will rapidly progress in the next day or two, to confirm something bad is afoot. I hope it is just a staph infection, or spontaneously disappears on it's own. Check the temperature of the dogs, if it's above 103 F., get the dogs to the vet as soon as possible. You might have only a few days to make a difference in the outcome. Annie in SE OH.

-- Annie Miller (annie@1st.net), November 10, 2000.

To add to my post above, Green, dogs do get tonsillitis, it is quite common in dogs, the bacteria responsible is usually streptococci, responds well to a 10 day course of penicillin. The earliest signs of it are fever, listlessness, salivation, inappetence, and dysphagia ( having trouble swallowing), as well as swollen mandibular lymph nodes. It is best treated as soon as possible, as it can become chronic. Annie in SE OH.

-- Annie Miller (annie@1st.net), November 10, 2000.

Whatever the problem is, it seems to be going away by itself in about 3 days. Maybe it's kind of like a bad cold.

-- Green (ratdogs10@yahoo.com), November 11, 2000.

Green, This is going to sound kinda strange, but I'll explain it the way the vet told me. Dogs phisology is different then humans, thats why chocolate is poisonous to them and regular asprin can be used as a sedative (but can also poison). He contacted Auburn University small animal clinic at the time and used a combination of antibiotic and a human birth control pill to prevent reoccurance. I would suggest contacting a vet for more information. I was considering trying some of the herbal preventives we use with our dogs and was reminded about the toxicity differences as I described above, so before I try, I check.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), November 12, 2000.

When I lived in Texas, I saw several cases of dogs bitten by copperhead snakes - always on the head because the dog was trying to bite back. There was a lot of swelling of the head that went away with or without treatment.

-- Sam in W.Va. (snorris@dnr.state.wv.us), November 13, 2000.

It was not a bite of any kind because I checked for puncture marks. We have had several snakes in the house this year, but all I saw were non poisonous. All the dogs were house dogs. The swelling went away, the animals are just fine again, and I haven't a clue what it was.

Thanks to all!

-- Green (ratdogs10@yahoo.com), November 16, 2000.