Common Causes and Treatments of Dog Facial Swelling
Facial swelling in dogs can be life-threatening if the swelling progresses to the throat, so dont try to diagnose the cause of your dogs swelling yourself. If your pets face looks swollen, or lopsided, get your dog to a veterinarian immediately.
Some common causes of facial swelling in dogs include:
Allergies
Like people, dogs can be allergic to chemicals, foods, plants, spider bites, bee stings, medication, or a vaccine (though thats rare). A severe allergic reaction can lead to throat swelling — cutting off your dogs windpipe — so if your dogs face looks swollen, if they have trouble breathing, their gums are purple or blue, or if they pass out, get your pet to a vet immediately.
Treating allergies depends on whats causing them, but may include an antihistamine, steroids, antibiotic ointment, a special diet, as well as skin or blood tests. In severe cases, epinephrine may be used
Abscesses
Often caused by animal bites or other wounds, head and neck abscesses show up suddenly, usually accompanied by a fever, and can leave a lopsided look to your dogs head or neck. These are extremely painful; if your dog has facial swelling and is refusing to eat or drink, an abscess could be the cause.
Its important for abscesses to be treated right away. Treatment may include surgical drainage, anti-inflammatories, and antibiotics.
Dental Problems
Infected or fractured teeth and untreated gum disease can also lead to abscesses, accompanied by facial swelling, fever, depression, not eating, and great pain for your dog.
Treatment for dental abscesses may include removing the infected tooth along with a course of antibiotics and anti inflammatory pain meds.
Tumors (Noncancerous and Cancerous)
Mouth and throat tumors can occur in dogs and, along with facial swelling, symptoms may include problems eating, bleeding, and excessive odor. Dogs can also get tumors associated with the eye socket, which can make the eye bulge.
Tumors, which arise from the uncontrolled growth of cells, need treatment early, whether or not theyre cancerous. Surgery to remove the tumor, or radiotherapy, may be effective treatments.
Other Causes of Facial Swelling in Dogs
Dog bites or other skin punctures can also cause a bacterial infection of the skin called cellulitis. The symptoms include swelling, ulcers, tenderness, redness, and pain.
Treatment should be determined by a veterinarian, and may include soaking the wound, flushing it with an antiseptic, painkillers, and antibiotics.
Certain dogs, including boxers, Labrador retrievers, Great Danes, Doberman pinschers, and some terriers, may develop a rare condition called craniomandibular osteopathy. This causes swelling of the jaw, and is usually seen in dogs aged 3 to 10 months. Other signs of the disease include drooling, fever, and reluctance to eat.
While theres no treatment to cure craniomandibular osteopathy, anti-inflammatories can help control pain, and the disease often stabilizes when the dog is about a year old. Check with your vet to see what NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) they recommend for your dog.
Some causes of facial swelling can be prevented and some cannot. Here are some suggestions for prevention and early detection of problems:
Causes of Facial Swelling in Dogs
There are many possible reasons why your dog has a swollen face. Because facial swelling is a sign of an underlying problem, these dogs will often show other signs of illness, such as lethargy and loss of appetite.
When a dogs face suddenly becomes swollen, it is usually caused by an allergic reaction. Allergic reactions may be caused by bug bites, bee stings, vaccinations, medications, certain foods, toxin exposure, pollen, and other environmental allergens.
Allergic reactions cause an inflammatory response in the body. This can lead to hives and swelling, especially on the face. You may especially notice swelling of the muzzle and eyelids. You may also see reddened skin and notice that your dog seems itchy and irritated. Some allergic reactions will get worse quickly, leading to vomiting, diarrhea, pale gums, weakness, or collapse. Mild reactions tend to improve with minimal intervention, but severe reactions are considered emergency situations.
Facial swelling may be related to a problem with the teeth or mouth. Tooth abscesses and other dental infections can go deep beneath the gums and cause a pocket to fill with pus. This usually causes a dogs face to become swollen, especially beneath the eye. Broken teeth, oral injuries, and periodontal disease may also make a dogs face swell.
An injury to the face, head, or skin can lead to facial swelling. Common injuries like animal bites and other wounds can lead to infections that cause swelling. Snake bites often cause swelling of the face and muzzle, locations where curious dogs are commonly bitten.
Abnormal growths can occur on the face and head. Sometimes tumors can cause pain and pressure buildup. Whether they are benign or malignant, facial tumors may spread and grow, causing damage to the facial nerves, muscles, and bones. Cysts are fluid-filled growths that are often benign. However, they can become quite large and visible, especially on the face.
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What Is Facial Swelling In Dogs?
In the simplest terms, dog facial swelling is an enlargement or an edema (fluid build-up) that is trapped under the skin. It can happen on any part of the face, including the head, muzzle, eyes or ears. It may be symmetrical or you might see a dog’s face swollen on one side.
Sometimes a dogs swollen face appears suddenly, but it can show up gradually over time and it may come and go. It may take the form of small bumps or hives, sometimes with the hair standing up, andinvolve itchiness.