My dog has a ball-like swelling on her face. What should I do?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
My dog has a ball like swelling on the right side of her face
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on January 22nd, 2018
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.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on April 12th, 2017
Monitor her for lethargy, tilted head, marked swelling) bruising or ataxia (wobbly gait). As long as she is behaving normally, you can monitor for resolution. A cold compress on the area may reduce swelling if she allows.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
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.
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.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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
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
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has swollen face. One side only. What can I do?
I am sorry to hear about Pepper! A swollen face can be caused by a variety of issues, including an allergic reaction, a bite from an insect, or an abscessed tooth to name a few. These are all treated with different medications, so it is recommended to bring Pepper in to the vet to examine her to determine what is causing the swelling and how best to treat her. If the swelling is increasing in size or she is struggling to breath it is a medical emergency and she should be seen immediately.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
It feels hard, on the side of face. No visible color change and no pain when touched. About 1.5 inches on size. Any ideas?
I'm not sure if you tried to attach photos, but if so, nothing came through so you might want to try again. A swelling on the side of the face could be a few things depending on the location. It could be an abscess from a wound or bad tooth, an enlarged lymph node, an insect sting, or a tumor. Your veterinarian can perform a fine needle aspirate, where cells are collected with a needle and examined under a microscope. By identifying the type of cells, your veterinarian can make a diagnosis and start appropriate treatment. Thanks for using Boop by Petco.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
3 year old boxer mix with swelling to left side of face ... about size of a walnut over last 4 days ... not hot to touch ... dog is acting normal
It is possible that Stella may have a tooth root abscess, a cyst, granuloma, benign or malignant mass, among other causes. I'm glad to hear that she is acting normally, but she should be examined by her vet to address the underlying cause. If she is diagnosed with a tooth root abscess, her vet will be able to discuss a dental extraction and antibiotics with you. Otherwise, a fine needle aspirate (FNA) can be performed to evaluate the type of cells present in this growing lesion to aid in determining the underlying cause.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has a huge solid ball in her lower left jaw and recently her face started to swell on the same side i took her to the vet but the vet said it is just an infection. She has had this before and it went away with benadryl but last time it was her
It sounds like this swelling could be an infection, which could be caused by a dental problem or an abscess, among other causes. What you are describing from before sounds like an allergic reaction, which can be treated with antihistamines. Allergies would typically cause symmetrical swelling, not just on one side, which is why I'm lead to believe she has an infection. Because I can't see Sophia in person, I can't say for certain that it's an infection, but I would recommend listening to your vet who has seen her in person.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I woke up this morning to my dogs face swollen really bad what do I do
A sudden swollen face is usuaally caused by some allergy, either an insect bite or an environmental allergy, or could also be a rattle snake bite. Check for oozing little wounds, there would be a little blood oozing but not coagulating. If you find those on the head, your dog likely was bitten by a snake and needs to be seen by a vet right away. If your dog has breathing problems, vomits or is lethargic, he should also be seen by a veterinarian right away. If he is happy, eats and drinks, you can observe the swelling and it should go down within 24 hours. Of course you can also take him to the vet if he is not in distress. The vet will give him an exam and likely an antihistamine and/or steroid injection.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My two dogs had a fight cupple days ago.dimt know why.its mother and daughter.and yesterday and today her face and around her throat have swole up really bad looks like a big balloon. What is this
Poor Bow! If she was bitten in the face and throat, she could have developed an abscess (a local pocket of infection) from the bites. This commonly happens from dog bites. It's quite serious that these areas have swollen up so much they look like a big balloon, and it could negatively affect her breathing. She absolutely has to see a vet today for this issue so she can be treated. Please bring her into a vet now. As for the fighting, if they both are not spayed, it could be related to hormones. I recommend discussing spaying both of them with your vet. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I have a 12-year-old Akita husky, and yesterday morning the side of her face swelled. Not the whole face, seemed concentrated to a small area, just above her teeth. The gums don’t look swollen, and it’s not too sensitive to touch, but I’m wondering i
Thank you for submitting your question regarding Kona. I recommend that she sees her veterinarian. While there can be a variety of reasons for swelling on the face, a tooth root abscess is most common. The roots of her molars and premolars are very large and extend upwards. A swelling below the eye is frequently seen with an infection of one of these roots. The veterinarian will examine her and determine if this is likely. If so, she will need to go under anesthesia. X-rays will be taken of her mouth to confirm an infected tooth and then it would likely be extracted. I hope this information helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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