Diagnosis
Your veterinarian will perform a thorough physical exam on your dog. A complete blood profile will be conducted, including a chemical blood profile, a complete blood count, an electrolyte panel, urinalysis, and a blood smear.
Lymph node aspirates (liquid) will also be taken for microscopic (cytologic) examination. Abnormal tissue growth, or tumors (neoplasia), and fungal infections can also be confirmed via cytologic examination of lymph node aspirates.
You will need to give a thorough history of your dog's health, including a background history of symptoms, and possible incidents that might have precipitated this condition. The history you provide may give your veterinarian clues as to which organs are causing secondary enlargement of the regional lymph nodes.
Other useful blood tests include serologic (blood serum) tests for antibodies against systemic fungal agents (Blastomyces and Cryptococcus), or bacteria (Bartonella spp.). Radiograph and ultrasound imaging will allow your doctor to visually inspect the affected lymph nodes, and may also enable detection of lesions associated with lymph node enlargement in other organs.
Treatment
Your veterinarian will prescribe medication dependent on the underlying cause of the lymph node enlargement.
Living and Management
Some infections are zoonotic, meaning that they can be transmitted to humans. Systemic diseases, like sporotrichosis, Francisella tularensis, Yersinia pestis, and Bartonella spp, are zoonotic. If your dog has one of these zoonotic diseases, ask your veterinarian what precautions you will need to take to avoid infection.
__________________  Rachael & Poppy |