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My dog's mouth is swollen, eye red, drooling, and breathing hard. Why?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Female | unspayed | 7 months and 18 days old | 24 lbs

My dogs mouth is swollen and swelling affected the left eye which caused it some redness. She also drools and breathes heavily, I would like to know what might cause this and how dangerous this can be.

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2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Lauren Barry, BVSc, MRCVS, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on June 1st, 2017

Hi there, if this swelling has just happened today and Nala is having heavy breathing still, I would recommend taking her to a vet as an emergency. She may be having an allergic reaction. However, if this has progressed slowly over a few days, it may be associated with a tooth infection. This is less of an emergency, but she should be seen by a vet during the next business day. There are a few other illnesses with similar symptoms, your vet will ask more questions and be able to examine her mouth and listen to her lungs.

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    Answered By Emily, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    This could due to an infection in her mouth, a mass in her oral cavity or something going on further back in her throat area. Depending on if it's any of those possibilities it could be painful and infections can spread beyond their local area to the rest of the body. I recommend having your vet examine her as sometimes antibiotics and pain medications are needed. Do not give human medications as they can be very toxic to pets

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