Facial swelling in dogs can take many forms. In some cases, the entire face swells. In others, only parts of the face are affected, such as the muzzle, chin, or throat.
The sudden swelling of a dog’s face can be extremely alarming. If this happens to your pet, don’t panic. Observe your dog for additional symptoms, then contact a vet for advice. Vets have treatments for many types of swelling, so follow their instructions closely.
In today’s article, we’ll be discussing facial swelling causes, treatments, and preventions. So read on!
Common Causes of Facial Swelling in Dogs
If your dog’s face is swollen, they may have one of the following problems:
1. Allergies
Allergic reactions are among the most common causes of facial swelling in dogs. Maybe a pet with food allergies ate something they’re allergic to. Maybe a dog’s skin is inflamed due to an insect bite. Even pollen, chemicals, medications, and vaccinations can affect a dog. Whatever the reason behind a swollen face, an allergic reaction is best treated by a vet especially if it’s severe.
A severe reaction to an allergen may produce the following symptoms:
- Neck and throat swelling
- Breathing difficulty
- Bluish/purplish tongue and/or gums
- Unconsciousness
If a dog’s allergic reaction causes the neck and throat to swell, breathing becomes difficult. As a result, the tongue and gums grow blue or purple. They may even end up fainting.
Major reactions to allergens are known as anaphylactic reactions, which can be life-threatening especially if they progress into anaphylactic shock. Anaphylactic symptoms include the above as well as:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Drooling
- Itching
- Reddish skin swellings (hives)
The Solution:
Dogs displaying symptoms of a severe allergic reaction should be brought to the vet immediately for life-saving treatment.
Treatment may involve the use of steroids, antibiotics, or antihistamines. Depending on the severity of their allergic reaction, a dog may need to be hospitalized for oxygenation, observation, and additional treatment. The treatment plan may also include having your dog go on a special diet.
In mild to moderate allergic reactions, a dog may have a slightly swollen face and no other symptoms. Such allergies may be treated at home using over-the-counter drugs. Call a vet so they can recommend the appropriate meds.
To prevent allergic facial swelling, keep your dog away from allergens. For example, if your dog is allergic to bee stings, avoid walking them in areas with high bee populations. If they’re allergic to wheat, don’t feed them wheat-containing foods.
To determine what your dog is allergic to, bring them to a vet for skin or blood tests.
2. Oral/dental problems
Any problems with the teeth, gums, or mouth can cause facial swelling in dogs.
One of the most painful dental issues dogs can suffer from is a tooth root abscess. This commonly occurs when a bacterial infection burrows deep under the gums to create a highly sensitive, pus-filled pocket around a tooth’s root. Tooth abscesses may result in facial swelling, usually under the eye.
Dogs with dental abscesses need to be handled with care, as their pain can make them bitey.
Tooth abscess symptoms include:
- Swollen face
- Lopsided face or neck
- Fever
- Refusal to eat or drink
- Lethargy
Periodontal disease, broken teeth, mouth injuries, and other oral/dental problems can also be behind a dog’s facial swelling.
The Solution:
If your dog’s facial swelling is due to a tooth abscess, bring them to a veterinarian immediately for appropriate treatment and pain relief.
Expect the vet to perform dental x-rays and administer antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications. Serious abscesses require surgical draining or the removal of the offending tooth.
A vet can also treat the other aforementioned oral/dental problems and carry out various types of oral surgery.
To prevent such concerns, brush your pet’s teeth regularly and give them dental chew toys.
3. Bug bites or stings
The sting or bite of a bee, wasp, spider, tick, flea, or any other bug can cause facial swelling.
If a dog tries to eat a bee or wasp, they can get stung on the muzzle or nose. These areas then swell after the venom in the sting affects the skin cells and causes the immune system to react. Arachnid and insect bites can have similar effects.
A bite or sting can be extremely painful. Worse, it can constrict your dog’s airways, leading to breathing difficulties.
If a dog that gets stung or bitten is allergic to stings or bites, their life could be in peril.
The Solution:
Mild swelling usually goes away on its own. Extreme swelling is another matter.
Whether or not it’s accompanied by an allergic reaction, extreme swelling requires emergency care, so an affected dog should be taken to the veterinarian immediately. Treatment is similar to how allergic reactions are treated.
If your dog is infested with parasites, a vet can recommend effective anti-tick or anti-flea products.
If you share your home with countless bugs, consider using pest control products or hiring an exterminator. As such chemicals can make dogs sick, remove your pets from the house during the extermination. Also, make sure no chemicals touch your dog’s food bowl, toys, and other things.
4. Animal bites or scratches
Did your dog get scratched in the face by a cat? Or did they get bitten by another dog or worse, a snake?
Swelling is a natural reaction to injuries such as dog bites and cat scratches. It simply means blood is being directed to the wound so the healing process can begin. It may also be a sign the immune system is fighting off infectious microbes.
Wounds can grow painfully infected without prompt treatment. The bigger and deeper the wound, the worse things can get for your pet.
Getting bitten by a venomous snake is more life-threatening, and can cause the following symptoms:
- Swelling/pain around the bite
- Trembling
- Vomiting and/or diarrhea
- Weak/unsteady hind legs
- Excess drooling or frothing
- Dilated pupils
- Bloody urine
- Collapse
- Paralysis
The Solution:
Small scratches and bites usually heal on their own, but you can help by bathing the wounds using diluted antiseptic. More serious wounds require proper treatment by a vet.
Take your dog to the vet if the swelling persists, becomes worse, stays painful, discharges pus, is still red and/or warm after several days, or is accompanied by a fever. Treatment may involve antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, or, in severe cases, surgery.
If your dog was bitten by a snake, take them to the vet immediately as this can be a life-or-death situation. A vet will administer antivenom and require your pet to be hospitalized for additional supportive care.
To prevent such problems, reduce your dog’s contact with wild, unfriendly, or unknown animals, and be on the lookout for such creatures every time you take your dog out of the house. There are also various ways to get rid of snakes and rats on your property, such as the elimination of food supplies and the use of repellents.
5. Physical trauma
If your dog’s face is struck by a blunt object or penetrated by anything sharp, the resulting injury can be accompanied by swelling.
A swollen face means blood and fluid have accumulated under the skin as part of the healing process. If there’s an open wound, however, an infection may occur and worsen your dog’s condition.
Anything from a car accident to getting hit by a stone can make a dog’s face swell. However, even something as seemingly harmless as a wooden stick can injure a dog. If your pet catches a thrown stick awkwardly, it could penetrate the gums or soft tissue at the back of the mouth. Splinters can even get stuck in the flesh, leading to abscess formation.
The Solution:
If the swelling is minor and has no open wounds, you can apply ice packs to the affected area twice a day.
If the swelling is severe or accompanied by a serious open wound (whether or not it’s infected), veterinary treatment is ideal. Treatment involves antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and, in extreme cases, surgery.
To reduce the likelihood of physical trauma to your dog, supervise them while they’re playing. Also, don’t give them any hard or sharp objects to play with or chew on.
6. Tumors
The uncontrolled growth of cells in a dog’s face may give rise to tumors that can result in facial swelling.
Both malignant and benign tumors can grow larger and spread to many areas of a dog’s face. They can damage facial nerves, muscles, and bones. Skull and nose tumors can even alter the bone’s shape.
Tumors can also develop in the throat and mouth. If they grow in the eye socket, your dog’s eye can bulge out.
A common type of cancer known as lymphoma causes the dog’s lymph nodes to swell. As these organs are under the throat and chin, they can result in a swollen face.
And then there are fluid-filled growths known as cysts. While typically harmless, cysts can also lead to a painfully swollen face.
The Solution:
Bring your dog to the pet clinic or hospital. If the vet suspects a tumor or cyst, they’ll require x-rays, blood testing, and tissue sample analysis.
Radiotherapy or surgery is used to remove tumors and treat facial swelling. Cysts are drained or surgically excised.
You can catch tumors early by doing a monthly examination of your dog’s mouth. If you notice swelling, abnormal growths, or bad breath, consult a vet.
Other Swollen Face Causes
Sometimes, the underlying cause of a dog’s swelling face is not as simple as a bee sting, skin allergies, or dental issues. If you’re not sure what’s wrong with your pooch, bring them to a pet clinic or hospital for a medical examination.
Below are some of the rarer health issues that can give dogs a swollen face.
1. Cellulitis
Dog bites and other wounds that puncture the facial skin can cause cellulitis, a bacterial infection affecting dog skin. If you notice swelling accompanied by ulcers, redness, and pain, your dog may have cellulitis.
Treatment involves painkillers, antibiotics, and using an antiseptic to flush the wound.
2. Juvenile cellulitis
Also known as puppy strangles, juvenile cellulitis affects young dogs. This can give rise to swollen lymph nodes beneath the chin, bumps or pus-containing lumps on the face and muzzle, and scabbing.
Your local vet can treat puppy strangles through medication.
2. Craniomandibular osteopathy
This rare condition affects certain dog breeds, including Great Danes, Labradors, and Dobermans. It causes the jaw to swell and symptoms such as fever, drooling, and reduced appetite. It’s usually seen in dogs between 3 and 10 months old.
At present, craniomandibular osteopathy can’t be cured. However, it’s possible to stabilize the disease if treated early.
3. Swelling of salivary glands
When salivary glands become swollen, they can cause swelling in the upper neck or lower jaw. Swelling can also occur under the eyes, in the upper throat, or beneath the tongue.
Treating this issue requires the surgical removal of the offending gland.
4. Parasitic infestation
Parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, heartworms, tapeworms, and whipworms can all cause a dog’s lymph nodes to swell. The result? A swollen face.
Vets use medication to treat parasitic infestations.
5. Congestive heart failure
This condition leads to the accumulation of excess fluid in the tissues surrounding the heart. This fluid can spread to the upper body and even the neck, head, and face, causing swelling.
X-rays, blood analyses, ultrasounds, and other diagnostic tests can determine the best way to treat a dog with congestive heart failure. Treatment typically includes medications, surgery, and a low-salt diet. Light exercise is also necessary to get overweight dogs in shape.
FAQs About Facial Swelling in Dogs
Below, we answer some of the most frequently asked questions about facial swelling in dogs.
How long will it take for the swelling to subside?
This depends on the cause of the swelling. Swelling due to allergies or injuries can last a few days. Tumors can last a lifetime. Swelling typically subsides within a couple of days of proper treatment.
What should I do if my dog’s face swells?
Your best option is to contact a vet so they can tell you what to do.
If the swelling isn’t serious, a vet can recommend home remedies for the issue. Dogs that are vomiting, feverish, experiencing breathing difficulties (due to throat swelling), and the like should be brought to the vet immediately.
What can I give my dog for their facial swelling?
Again, this depends on what caused the swelling. An over-the-counter antihistamine can treat mild reactions to allergens. An ice pack should suffice for a small bump.
However, we highly recommend speaking with a vet before treating your dog yourself. If you observe troubling symptoms (such as breathing difficulties, etc.) in addition to the swelling, a trip to a pet clinic or hospital is in order.
How can I prevent facial swelling in my dog?
All dogs benefit from regular medical examinations. A vet can discover and treat allergies, dental abscesses, tumors, parasitic infestations, skin infections, and other problems before they can cause your dog great suffering.
Don’t expose your dog to known allergens and don’t let them near wild or unfriendly animals. Monitor them closely while they’re playing so you can prevent accidents. Brush your dog’s teeth, check their mouth for abnormal growths, and ensure they only have soft toys to play with.
At any sign of trouble, contact a vet for advice.
Dog! Face! Swollen! – The Conclusion!
Facial swelling in dogs is caused by various issues. One dog may be experiencing an inflammatory response to an infection. Another could be battling an allergy. Other dogs may be dealing with dental issues, congestive heart failure, parasitic infestations, or tumors.
Whatever the reason behind your pet’s problem, your best option is to contact a vet for advice. Don’t hesitate to bring your dog to the clinic or hospital if your vet tells you to – your dog’s health will benefit from your quick and decisive actions.