I have an 8 month old German Shepherd Puppy. Over a month ago we noticed that she had a large lump under her neck, off to the side. It actually looked like she had a tennis ball under the skin. It did not seem to cause her pain and wasn't affecting her activity. I took her to the vet. The vet drew out some blood from the area and concluded it was a hematoma. This seemed odd to me, but given how much she wrestles with our older German Shepherd, it wasn't out of the realm of possibility. The vet gave her a course of antibiotics. I went ahead and used them because I was about to go out of town and felt I needed to cover my bases. The swelling began improving and within a week or two she looked normal.
Another week or two passed and suddenly the lump was back! Again, it looked like she swallowed a tennis ball. It felt doughy. I am not convinced it was a hematoma, and oddly the antibiotic seemed to work. At the same time, it fit the description of a lipoma, though that seemed odd for a puppy.
I started giving her turmeric and burdock root twice daily. Each is in pill form. I fold them into half a piece of cheese and she takes it easily.
Within a few days the swelling was subsiding. I think something may have drained; she had some evidence of fluid on her neck. (But, then again, she is a farm dog and it could have been anything! )
I still do not know what she had. Infection? Lipoma? Something else?
I do know that next time there is a mystery lump, my first remedy with be turmeric and burdock root! (She is about 50lbs. I gave her one of each pill twice a day.)
Posted By Onlytruthintheworldkjv (Sonomacounty) on 08/19/2025
"Peace and Greetings, ma'am.
Thank you for sharing. I am currently going through the exact same thing. Tennis ball size lump on my pup's right side of throat. Was concerned it was blocked salivary gland or worse lymphoma. Took her to emergency clinic they drained it said it's hematoma and now it's back 2 days later. They gave me amoxicillin and doggy ibuprofen which I'm hesitant to give her as I only believe in natural remedies.
Can you please share the dose amount of turmeric and burdock you gave your baby? And for how long until it dissipated back to normal?
I've been giving calendula & rosemary to stimulate blood circulation, and it doesn't seem to bother her eating drinking sleeping or desire to romp about, but it is unsightly.
Thanks again & kind regards."
Posted By Hollyhock (America) on 08/20/2025
"If it were my dog, I would be applying castor oil to the lump daily. I've also read some people mix in a little baking soda."Posted By Onlytruthintheworldkjv (Sonomacounty) on 08/20/2025
"Thanks for the advice. Have been applying castor oil since it first happened 12 days ago (I believe after she tugged too hard on her collar when tied up). Also olive oil & tea tree & arnica. I will now add a pinch of baking soda to see if that helps tenderize the squishy meatball hanging off her neck 😀😬...
Hoping it will dissipate asap as I can't keep driving her to the emergency clinic to have them sedate her & drain it @ $500 a pop. If it gets too big I'll just give her a double dose of cbd and drain it myself with a needle from tractor supply. Kind regards."
