? for Pitbull Owners

[ktpaco]

My Skyleigh has two relatively large "lumps" or masses about where the jawbone meets the jaw (one on each side)(approx 1" circle). For humans, it would probably be lymph nodes - I don't recall Paco ever having these lumps present, nor any other pitbull I've fostered. They have been there a while now, maybe a month?... I can't tell if it is a part of "normal" anatomy or not? As far as her behavior & health, there hasn't been any changes - which is what I've been more or less trying to gauge whether or not this is a problem.

I can't really afford to run her to the vet's, just for it to be nothing - so that's why I wanted to check with other owner's of PB's, just to see if those lumps are normally there or not. She's a younger dog, so I'm thinking I'm just being a worrywart for nothing. I'd appreciate any info you guys have.

ps. I would take a pic, but the digital camera is with my bf for the week

[BratBoxers]

Is there like 1 or 2 little whiskers coming out of them? If so, then yes its normal my APBT has them. I believe lymph nodes are a bit further back on the neck by the jaw bone.

[ktpaco]

No, no hairs. She has what I can typical "moles", but I'm not talking about them. I am talking about the area around the jaw bone. Her ear is maybe 3-4 inches above the area where the jawbone meets the jaw. The masses themselves are directly below the ear but down further at the jaw bone. Again, these masses are circular, about 1" in diameter, and now that I'm feeling them - the right side is a little larger than the left side. I wish I could take a pic - although I don't know if I could get a good angle on the masses, it would show the area I'm referring too. I know this isn't very helpful.

[BratBoxers]

Well you just might bring her to the vet better safe than sorry.

[Savage Destiny]

I'm having a hard time picturing exactly where you're talking about... Riddle had swollen lymph nodes when she had kennel cough, my vet pointed them out to me being where the red circle is in this pic (on both sides of course):



Riddle was kind of a gangly puppy. xD

[candy821]

you might be talkin about the jaw muscles and if thats the case its perfectly normal ..jada has very big jaw muscles that feel like big balls...they are right after where the mouth opening ends and you can usually see them when the mouth is open but if you don't think it could be them then you should have a vet check it out

[ktpaco]

Thanks SD, that's pretty much the area (maybe up just a hair). When looking at her from the side, it is more prominant. (Riddle looks so innocent... how cute!)

If Skyleigh smiled like candy's dog, she would be a lot more likeable - I LOVE that pic of your dog (Paco use to smile... brings tears to my eyes seeing that great big smile).

Anyways, I'm really confused about what to do. She doesn't act sick, hasn't been hurt - which would cause the lymph nodes to swell, and is just completely normal. Money is somewhat of an issue - although if she was showing signs that she was sick, it would be a way easy decision - no doubt about it. Living on a limited income, that money, if nothing is wrong, is better spent on quality dog food, etc. So, as my anatomy instructor would say "I have a pickle!"

I appreciate the info guys, if you think of anything else - maybe you could just email me directly. I can't get her to the vet's until Friday anyway, if I do decide to take her. I don't think the lumps have always been there (could be wrong though).... and yet there's no other signs that there could be a problem. (It won't be the first time I've brought Sky in, and nothing was wrong, at least the vet is really cute!)