Why is My Dog’s Face Swollen on One Side?

Have you ever seen a dog with a swollen face? It can be scary, especially if it’s your own dog! There are a few reasons why this might happen. Let’s look at some of the most common ones.

Important: This is just to help you learn. It is NOT a replacement for a vet visit. If your dog’s face is swollen, take them to the vet ASAP!

What’s Making My Dog’s Face Swell Up?

• Allergies: Allergies are a very common reason for swelling in dogs. Just like us, dogs can be allergic to many things, including:
  • Bug Bites and Stings: Think bees, wasps, spiders – their bites and stings can make some dogs allergic.
  • Medicines: Even vaccines can sometimes cause allergic reactions in dogs.
  • Food: Some dogs can’t eat certain foods because they are allergic to them.
  • Pollen: Just like us, dogs can be allergic to pollen from trees, grass, and weeds.
  • Other Stuff: Things like dust, mold, and even cleaning products can cause allergies in dogs.

Allergies make the body try to fight off things it doesn’t like. This can make a dog’s face swell, especially around the eyes and nose. Their skin might get red and itchy, and they might get hives too (itchy bumps).

• Tooth Troubles: Sometimes, a dog’s swollen face is because of a problem with their teeth or gums. This often happens on one side of the face, under the eye. Here are a few tooth troubles that can cause swelling:
  • Tooth Abscess: This is a really bad toothache where pus gets trapped inside the tooth.
  • Broken Tooth: Ouch! Just like us, a broken tooth hurts and can cause swelling.
  • Gum Disease: This is an infection in the gums that can make a dog’s face swell up.

If your dog’s teeth are bothering them, they might not want to eat because it hurts. They might also paw at their mouth.

• Injuries: A bump or cut on the face can cause swelling. Here are a few ways dogs get hurt on their face:
  • Animal Bites: Bites from other animals can cause a lot of pain and swelling.
  • Falls: Whoops! A dog can fall and land on their face, causing swelling.
  • Getting Hit: Getting hit by a ball, a car, or something else can definitely make a dog’s face swell.

If your dog has an injury, look for bruises or cuts too.

• Tumors: Tumors are lumps that can grow in the body. They can be good or bad. Bad tumors are called cancer. Tumors in the face can cause swelling as they grow. Sometimes they can hurt too.
• Other Stuff:
  • Salivary Mucocele: This is a fancy way of saying a “spit pocket.” It’s like a water balloon full of spit that forms under the jaw or tongue. It happens if a spit gland gets hurt.
  • Craniomandibular Osteopathy: This is a rare disease that makes the jaw bones swell. It usually happens in puppies.
  • Hypoproteinemia: This is a big word that means the dog doesn’t have enough protein in their blood. This can cause fluid to build up in their tissues, including the face.

What Should I Do?

The most important thing is to take your dog to the vet immediately! Only a vet can figure out what’s wrong and give your dog the right treatment.

If your dog is having serious problems, like difficulty breathing or acting very sick, get to the nearest emergency vet right away!

How Can I Prevent Swelling?

You can’t always stop swelling, but here are some tips:

• Avoid Allergies: If your dog has allergies, try to keep them away from things that trigger them. For example, keep them away from bees if they are allergic to bee stings.
• Good Dental Care: Brush your dog’s teeth every day and take them for regular dental checkups to help avoid tooth problems that cause swelling.
• Safe Play: Don’t let your dog run around loose in areas where they could get hurt or fight with other animals.

By understanding why dogs get swollen faces and trying to prevent it, you can help keep your furry friend happy and healthy!