Dog's Face is half-swollen.

[CuriousMoves]

So I noticed on Saturday evening, the skin on Riley's neck seemed droopier than usual. I thought that was really weird, but thought I was being over-cautious. By Sunday, the entire right side of his face was twice the side of the left side. I figured it was probably an allergic reaction, gave him some Benedryl and hoped that it would go away. It didn't. This morning, the swelling spread to his right lips.

Took him to the vet and the vet said he wasn't quite sure what could be causing it, and that it was very unusual. He said we will treat it like an infection first and hope that clears it up. He has another vet appointment in a week, and if the swelling is not gone by then, then we will have to run some more tests.

Has anyone ever dealt with this before? He has no outside lesions, no cuts or marks of any kind. The vet checked his teeth, all around his mouth, checked his right ear. No obvious trauma or issues.

PLEASE send us some good vibes in hopes that it's just a simple infection. Please, please, please. I am trying so hard not to jump to the worst case scenario..

[Ilovethepits]

I do not have any idea what it could be but Riley is definitely in my prayers.

[dogs4jen]

sending out the good thoughts too. What about an insect or spider bite, is that a possibility?

[AllisonPibbleLvr]

We had a dog at work with a very similar case. It turned out to be cellulitis which required 8+ weeks of antibiotics.
The vet college performed a head CT to find the cause/root of the problem, and while they suspected a forgotten porcupine quill or a splinter from tr dog chewing a stick, they could never find anything.

Sending healing wishes to your pup!!

[CuriousMoves]

As far as I know it shouldnt be a possibility. I live in eastern Canada and we are in the middle of a deep freeze so there arent any biting flies out. We also have very small spiders here and Ive never heard of someone having issues from a bite. Thank you for the imput and the kind words.

Sent from my LG-P500h using Tapatalk

[CuriousMoves]

We had a dog at work with a very similar case. It turned out to be cellulitis which required 8+ weeks of antibiotics.
The vet college performed a head CT to find the cause/root of the problem, and while they suspected a forgotten porcupine quill or a splinter from tr dog chewing a stick, they could never find anything.

Sending healing wishes to your pup!!

Ohh You must have posted just as I was. I didn't see this one before!

I have never heard of that. I will definitely ask the vet when we go in next week if that is a possibility if the swelling doesn't go away. He hasn't chewed on any sticks recently, and we have no porcupines here, but it could be something else I suppose. Thanks!

[AllisonPibbleLvr]

Cellulitis can be caused by any sort of puncture or wound.

Hope you get to the bottom of it soon!

[HappyPuppy]

That sounds scary! Hopefully the antibiotics do the trick!!

[CuriousMoves]

Here are some pictures I took on my crappy phone camera at work. Not sure if you can really see it, since it's kind of a subtle swelling. Even the vet said he didn't notice until he caught him at the right angle, then it was really obvious. He's been on Deramaxx, and Novamoxin for the last three days.







This is an old one, but it's a pic on a normal day, although I don't know if you can see the difference. My phone camera isn't the best.

[CuriousMoves]

I forgot to mention, it's his right side that is swollen.

[dogs4jen]

He's very handsome. One time our cat ate a rodent and a bone pierced the roof of his mouth, causing his eye to swell up. I suppose the vet probably checked the roof of his mouth though? Any difference yet with the antibiotics?

[AllisonPibbleLvr]

Yikes! That's some swelling. Poor baby

Keep us posted!

[star_frances]

Riley is adorable. Hope he's all better soon!

[HappyPuppy]

Poor baby. Are you seeing ANY improvement/change at all?

[Timas Mom]

What about salivary gland infection?