What should I do about a growth underneath my dog’s jaw?
Hi Dr. Barchas,
I adopted my retired racing greyhound, Flame, in
2002. She is 7 years old and she has been a
fantastic friend and an extremely loyal companion.
About two months ago, I noticed a drooping
portion of skin beneath her lower jaw and about
half way back towards her throat. I was able to
touch it and it’s very soft to the touch. Flame
does not seem discomforted about it at all.
Yesterday I noticed that it looked quite large.
When I touched it, it almost felt like there was
liquid inside. She didn’t seem to be acting
any different. Same great personality, still
smiling and going after her chew toys.
I was curious if this is common for a Greyhound
(or any dog)? Should I take her to the vet?
Thank you in advance for your advice. I appreciate
it.
Jenna
Millersburg, OH
The situation you are describing is common in middle-aged and older dogs of all breeds. Based on your description, the swollen area is probably not something serious. It could be a lipoma (we discussed lipomas on the blog a few days ago), a cyst, a seroma (an accumulation of fluid underneath the skin), or a large number of other things. Most of them are not serious.
However, there is a small chance that the irregularity could be something more serious, such as an inflamed lymph node or a tumor. Although these possibilities are not likely, you should still have a vet check the area. He or she will probably want to run a test such as aspiration to make sure that there is no reason to worry.
You have questions. 
That could also be a sialocele/mucocele… If that’s what it is, they’ll just remove the sublingual and submandibular salivary glands on the affected side… no biggie, but definitely needs to be taken care of.
I have a 5 1/2 yr old Greyhound with identical symptoms as Jenna’s dog. My vet said after a needle biopsy that is was an inflamed saliva gland. He is taking a very conservative approach. First we are trying hot packs for a week. Then we will consider phenabarbetal or possible a surgical biopsy.
Good luck with your pup Jenna.
Gloria Grace
I really appreciate seeing this. My 14 year old whippet also just developed these symptoms and we’re headed to the vet this afternoon. Interesting that the question and comments are coming from sight hound owners. With the 14 year old we’ll definitely have to take a very, very conservative approach.
my dog has that lump, it was diagnois as siaocele and I can not afford the surgery as of today., (3,000) , he is at times, twice, thrown up blood., and at times his behavior has changed, we have good days and bad days., are there other option other than surgey, and can he survive., ?? I was told that he can rupture., he gets tried a lot, the lump is getting bigger, and he use to thrown up alot but now not at all, just dry heaves., Please can someone give me some answers?? I was told surgery is needed immediately, and that this was the base and that it was in need of a specialist / surgern