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My dog's face is swollen on one side. When should I see a vet?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Pomeranian | Female | unspayed | 5 years and 3 months old

My dog has swollen face. One side only. What can I do?

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Jessica Keay, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on August 24th, 2018

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.

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3Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Other Answers

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    Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

    Licensed Veterinary Technician

    Published on August 11th, 2018

    She may have been bitten or stung by an insect or she may be having a reaction to something in the environment or in her food. If she is able to breath normally and is not lethargic, you can try an antihistamine. You'll need to contact your veterinarian for an appropriate dose based on tour dog's body weight. We are legally prohibited from providing such information. If she is lethargic or having difficulty breathing, have her physically examined by your veterinarian or at the nearest veterinary ER.

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    Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA

    Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer

    Published on January 29th, 2017

    Poor Brandy! Yes, I would recommend taking her to the vet to have this checked. Sudden swelling on the snout like this is often caused by bee stings, insect bites, or even snake bites. It's also possible that she could be having an allergic reaction to something. Swelling of the snout is always concerning because if it becomes more severe, it could restrict her breathing and become a life-threatening problem. Your vet can give her injectable steroids or other medication if needed to treat the reaction.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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    Answered By Lauren Jones VMD

    Veterinarian

    Published on October 18th, 2020

    First of all, Klaus is absolutely adorable! I don't see any notable swelling on his muzzle in this picture, but I understand that it can be difficult to capture the degree of swelling in pictures. If the swelling is isolated to a small area of the muzzle, you can just keep an eye on it. However, if the swelling involves the entire muzzle, gets worse or if other areas (like his eyelids) begin to swell, then you should take Klaus to an emergency vet immediately. While most allergic reactions are fairly mild, some can be very severe. You can also call your vet to ask if they recommend using Benadryl in this situation to manage a potential allergic reaction. (It is illegal for me to recommend medications for Klaus since I have not examined him in person.) I hope that he's on the mend soon!

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