Dogs have many lymph nodes throughout their body, but only a few groups are easy to feel from the outside. These are small, bean-like structures under the skin at specific spots.
Main palpable lymph nodes
The lymph nodes most owners can find by touch are:
- Under the jaw on both sides of the neck (submandibular nodes)
- In front of the shoulder blades where neck meets shoulder (prescapular/superficial cervical nodes)
- In the armpits (axillary nodes)
- In the groin, high on the inside of the hind legs (inguinal nodes)
- Behind the knees, at the back of the hind legs (popliteal nodes)
Internal lymph nodes
Dogs also have many lymph nodes inside the chest and abdomen that cannot be felt from the outside, such as sternal, mediastinal, tracheobronchial, and various abdominal nodes that lie near major blood vessels and organs. These internal nodes are evaluated with imaging (like X‑rays or ultrasound) rather than by hand.
How to check safely
When feeling for nodes, use gentle fingertips and compare left and right sides; normal nodes are small and can be hard to find, but enlarged nodes may feel like rounded lumps in these locations. If any new or fast-growing swellings are noticed at these spots, a vet should examine the dog promptly to rule out infection, inflammation, or cancer such as lymphoma.
