Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

My dog's face swelled overnight. What could it be and what to do?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Male | unneutered | 1 year old | 60 lbs

My dogs face has swelled up very large over night, we live very far from a vet. What might it be? and what should I do about it? it isnt bothering him too much he is still eating and drinking.

This question includes photos that may contain sensitive content. Click to view.

View more to consider that the photos may include sensitive content.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Dr. Dayna, DVM, CVA

Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

Published on January 14th, 2018

I am suspicious that he has An abscess (infection). In that location it could be from a tooth, or some sort of trauma or migrating foreign object. I would highly encourage you to have him evaluated by a veterinarian soon. This likely needs antibiotics, and possibly surgery as well. In the meantime I would warm compress the area several times a day. This may encourage the abscess to drain which is what we want. Best of luck and I hope he improves soon.

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Image profile

    Answered By Silvia De Cecco, DVM, MRCVS

    Veterinarian

    Published on March 16th, 2019

    Poor Mattis. If it responds to antibiotics and steroids could be a large variety of disease. There might be an ongoing infection, an abscess or might be an allergic reaction. I suggest to proceed with further test to reach a final diagnosis (fine needle aspirate of the swelling, blood test, X-ray of the affected area). I would also thoroughly check his teeth (rood abscess can cause facial swelling). Please post again on the forum if you would like to discuss it further. I hope my answer was helpful.

    Vote icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

See More Answers

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dogs has one side of his face inflamed. The first time it happened was a weeks ago and it disappeared and it was smaller. This is the third time and looks bigger I am not sure what it is.
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! Based on the swelling's location, this is possibly due to a tooth root abscess. This is something your veterinarian could check for on an examination and treat if confirmed. This is something that is treated with local therapy including drainage, debridement and antibiotics. Good luck and have a great day!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My Australian cattle dog, Apollo, age 1.5 has a swollen spot on the right side of his muzzle. Swelling does not include teeth and gums or eye socket. Seems firm to the touch not squishy. Need help indentifying..
Hi. That is definitely some severe swelling. Due to its location and presentation, I would be very concerned about a tooth root abscess. These can occur even if the crown of the tooth appears normal. It takes an x-ray to fully diagnose it. Other possible causes of swelling like this in a young dog could include a bite from insect or spider, injury, trauma, or infection. I recommend getting him to your veterinarian to be checked out tomorrow.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog, his face has been swollen for a couple of days
This could be caused by an allergic reaction or possibly an infection. A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Antibiotics may be needed. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has a ball like swelling on the right side of her face
Swelling can be caused by trauma or infection. If she hasn't been hit or hurt herself on that side, it could be an abscess/infection. She will need to be physically examined by your veterinarian to diagnose the exact cause. Trauma may be managed with anti-inflammatory and pain medication. If it is infection, the underlying cause will need to be determined and treated for resolution.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dogs mouth is very swollen. He can barley drink but doesn’t eat. Is there anything I can do at home to try and help?
Hi there and thank you for using pet coach to address your concern. I would recommend having this examined by a veterinarian. This type of swelling we can see with severe tooth root abscesses. It is likely reksio will need a course of oral antibiotics and an anti inflammatory. I would get this seen sooner rather than later as this type of infection will conti i.e. to grow bigger until the infection is treated and the tooth removed that is causing the problem otherwise, this can rupture through the skin and he will be left with a large wound on the face. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has a cut on her face, the swelling hasn’t really gone down much since it happened. I am wondering if an abscess has developed or if it is just going through the healing process. (1st pic: day of cut (Sunday), 2nd pic: monday, 3rd pic: tuesday
I agree that I am suspicious of an abscess. This could be an abscess in the skin or it could be a tooth root abscess. A tumor is also possible but they tend to grow slower. I do not think it is well into any type of healing process at this time. I recommend to take Ellie in to see the veterinarian tonight or tomorrow. You need to know if it is related to a tooth root problem or not. The doctor will also start her on antibiotics to help to fight the infection quickly. I hope that this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
He has been acting groggy or sleepy he acts like the side of his face is very sensitive to the touch and jerks back when you try to touch his face he had these problems about a week ago on his right side and we took him to an emergency vet and they s
Hi. This sounds very suspicious of a tooth root abscess. A tooth root abscess is a severe infection that develops around the root of a tooth usually occurring from a broken or traumatized tooth. They form when bacteria enter the exposed root canal of the tooth. In dogs, this most often occurs when the tooth breaks from chewing on a bone, antler, ice cubes, cow hoof, or hard nylon toys exposing the tissues that lie beneath the enamel. A tooth root abscess may also develop in association with periodontal disease, an infection of the tissues surrounding the tooth. It presents most commonly as a swelling under the eye. I would recommend getting a full exam and plan a dental cleaning with your veterinarian to further assess.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I just noticed this evening that my dog has a swollen face. He flinches when I want to touch it. I tried looking in his mouth to see if I could see anything obvious, I couldn’t. I don’t this he has a fever. He’s still wanting to chew on his bone. He
In a small dog, my first suspicion would be a tooth-root abscess. Small dogs tend to get rather diseased teeth as they age and are prone to infections like this. The other possibility is that he bumped his face on something. This is over a bony area that can swell with fluid when it hits something hard (i.e. door, chair, etc.). In this case, the swelling will eventually go down within two weeks or so. In order to tell exactly what it is, you'll have to take Teddy to a vet. They can take a sample of the fluid and help to narrow-down the possibilities. I hope that helps and Teddy gets better soon.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hi, my 10 year old Dalmatian has a swelling on one side of his face, he’s acting normally & eating/drinking. He’s not in pain, swelling has got larger overnight (I noticed the lump last night)
He’s a handsome boy! I recommend a vet visit for Oliver. The swelling could be due to a dental abscess or infection, cancer, infected salivary gland or even a foreign body in his mouth. Though that last maybe less likely if he doesn’t appear bothered by it. But the vet can do a thorough physical and oral exam to try to characterize the lump a little better. Depending on what they see they may Recommend a fine needle aspirate, a dental cleaning and assessment, or biopsy if it appears to be a mass. But given Olive’s age I would recommend you get it checked out sooner rather than later I hope it all works out well. Thank you for using Boop by Petco.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hi. We came home today to our dog having a moderately swollen cheek (under his eye) ... after online investigation of our own I believe this is a tooth abcscess, can he wait until morning to see his vet?
This is definitely suspicious of an abscess. I've also seen trauma (hit their face on something hard) cause fluid swelling that looks the same, so hopefully this is the case rather than an abscess. Either way, it's not an emergency and he is safe to wait until morning to see the vet. I hope that helps and Ace gets better soon.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored