My dog has a cut, swollen, bleeding lip. Should I go to the vet?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Cocker Spaniel | Female | spayed
My dog has a cut and swollen lip. She won't stop licking it and it's been bleeding. I have photos. Can someone help?
4 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on January 29th, 2016
It's unfortunately not possible to post pictures here, it's only possible through our private consultation system. A swollen lip can be caused as a result of a trauma (injury) or insect bite. If it is bleeding a lot I would recommend taking her to the vet as it is quiet difficult to treat at home, it's a delicate location to stop the bleeding or prevent the dog from licking it. If it's just bleeding a little bit and slightly swollen, it is likely to get better within a few days, try to keep the area clean as much as you can, avoid feeding wet food and make sure her water is changed several times a day.
16Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
-
Published on January 28th, 2018
Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. If the wound is small and the bleeding is a small amount, I would make sure that you keep the area clean with saline or a betadine / water solution (mixed together so that you have a light brown solution) and monitor for signs of infection (swelling, redness or pus). If the area worsens I would recommend getting her to a veterinarian if possible for further treatment. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
-
Published on December 6th, 2018
Hello, sorry to hear about your pup. Its likely that she may have bit his own lip. Other causes include lip fold pyoderma. Both are usually benign and resolve on their own. You may clean the area with skin sensitive baby wipes to keep it clean. Topical antibiotics such as neosporin are often discouraged as dogs may easily lick and ingest this. If the area does not improve within 3-5 days then he should be seen by a veterinarian as she may need additional oral medications. If you think the abrasion is larger and may need stitches then he should be seen today or you may post a picture of the area on here. Hope this helps and best of luck.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
-
Published on February 22nd, 2018
It doesn’t look like the cut is actively bleeding which is good. It’s difficult to see how deep it is based on your picture, but if it is a deep puncture wound you may want to have your vet examine it to make sure antibiotics are not needed. You also may want to have your vet look in Spritz’s mouth to make sure there are no cuts or broken teeth in his mouth.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
I'm not sure what happened, but she has some shallow abrasion on her lower lip and side. They are missing a little skin, but nothing deep and she isn't bleeding anymore. Should I put anything on it?
My dogs lip is bleeding. He keeps licking, which starts the bleeding again. I apply pressure, but then he licks and it starts again
Hey! I was brushing my dogs teeth today when I noticed a red spot by her mouth. It seems to be swollen and agitated, and it is bleeding a bit. She was not in any pain when I touched it and the area around it. It seems rather tough. Is this something
My dog has what looks like a bruise on her upper lip. It appeared to be healing, but she has since started excessively licking her paws again and the bruise opened. Now she's bleeding again. I don't know what to do since I can't really expect her to
My 5 year old boxer has had swollen spikey things on the lower jowel for about 3 weeks and I asked the dog center if it was anything. They said they didn't think so but tonight i wiped the bottom jowels with paper towels and blood is oozing off of t
So came back from a walk, realised she was bleeding from a leasion on her face, dont know why. No dog fights, only walked on grass. Maybe she scrarched it, i didnt see. Mixed .5 a traspoon of water in approx. 300ml of distilled water to imitate salin
My dog has had raw skin on outer and inner lip that's very swollen and oozing out blood and other drainage. It is starting to spread to other side. Beem going on for five days...
Rayne chewed a plastic food bowl and cut her upper lip. She licks everything. What can I put on this? It almost seems her lip is cracking. Threw bowl away. Thanks
19 month old Great Dane. Chewed the trim off of the corner of the wall and not has an upper lip abrasion that she repeatedly licks and it bleeds. What can I put on her face that she will inevitably lick off?
My dog came home from daycare with a cut on his lip. Is this something I can treat at home or do I need to take him into the vet? It doesn’t seem to be bothering him.
Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.
