These are the bean-shaped glands in the neck, armpits, groin, chest, and abdomen. Lymphadenopathy means swelling of the lymph nodes or glands. However, tick-borne illnesses can also cause lymphadenopathy, so it is important to keep your pet current on monthly tick preventatives in order to prevent tick-borne illnesses such as Lyme, Babesia, anaplasma, or Ehrlichia.Lymphadenopathy in Children What is lymphadenopathy in children? Most causes of lymphadenopathy are either acquired, infectious, or neoplastic, so unfortunately, there is nothing we can do to prevent these issues. For example, recovery for a tick bite infection would potentially be much quicker (maybe weeks to months) and less intense than recovery from an aggressive form of cancer (perhaps untreatable), both of which could cause lymphadenopathy. Recovery and prognosis are largely dependent on the underlying cause and how progressive the disease is. Recovery and Management of Lymphadenopathy in Cats For example, lymphoma could be treated with chemotherapy, tick-borne illnesses could be treated with antibiotics like, doxycycline, and supportive care/time in the case of vaccine reactions or viral infections. Treatment could include antibiotics, antifungals, supportive care, chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery.

Treatment is dependent on the diagnosis of an underlying cause. Less commonly, more advanced testing may be needed. This sample would be sent out to a reference lab and processed to figure out what types of cells make up the enlarged lymph node, which would show a potential cause. If no cause is initially found, a lymph node biopsy may be needed.

Cats should also be tested for feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), as these are typically underlying conditions causing lymphadenopathy. Imaging can show the severity of disease by finding how large the lymph nodes are, if any internal lymph nodes are abnormal, or if anything else internally looks abnormal and points to an underlying cause. This is generally not a painful procedure and does not require sedation.ĬBC, chemistry panel, and urinalysis, along with diagnostic imaging such as x-rays or CT scan, are often needed to find the underlying cause as well. This involves taking a small needle, inserting it into the lymph node, drawing out some cells, spreading these cells onto a microscope slide, and looking at them under the microscope. How Veterinarians Diagnose Lymphadenopathy in CatsĪfter your veterinarian examines your cat, the next step is for them to take a fine needle aspirate of any enlarged lymph nodes. Neoplasia-primary, such as lymphoma or secondary, such as carcinoma, melanoma, sarcoma, or mast cell tumors Lymphadenitis-enlargement due to reaction to things like bacterial infections, rickettsial infections, fungal infections, parasitic infections, and viral infections Reactive hyperplasia-enlargement due to reaction to things like vaccines or immune-mediated disease It is important to uncover the underlying cause of the lymph node swelling to decide on the right diagnostics and treatment needed. It is a reaction in the lymph nodes that can be caused by a virus, inflammatory condition, vaccine reaction, tick-borne illness, cancer, or other infection.Ĭats that are not on tick preventatives are at a higher risk of developing this condition, due to their susceptibility to tick-borne illnesses. Lymphadenopathy can affect cats at any age.

Other than lymph node enlargement, other symptoms depend on the underlying cause of the swollen lymph nodes. Treatment is dependent on the underlying cause. If you notice any new or growing swelling in these or any other areas of your cat’s body, take them to your veterinarian as soon as possible. Lymph node swelling is most often noticed first in peripheral lymph nodes, those that can be felt under the skin: This enlargement of lymph nodes can happen quickly or gradually. Lymphadenopathy is not a primary disease it is a symptom of an underlying condition, such as lymphoma, a tick-borne illness, or another infectious disease. Lymphadenopathy is the enlargement (swelling) of a single lymph node, a group of lymph nodes, or all lymph nodes.

Inflamed lymph node back of neck