If a dog's snout is swollen on one side, this is usually due to dental problems, injuries, an abscess or a tumor. Swelling on both sides, on the other hand, is primarily caused by allergies and inflammation.
Depending on the trigger, in most cases there are often other symptoms that can help with the diagnosis. First a quick overview:
SymptomMost common causeUnilateral swellingDental problems, injuries, tumor, abscessBilateral swellingAllergies, cellulitis, craniomandibular osteopathy, inflammation[1]
Below you will learn about the most common causes, how you can recognize them and what is recommended in specific cases.
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#1 Allergies
Not all dogs are allergic to certain substances. According to statistics, up to one in four dogs are affected. Typical triggers for this are:
- Insect bites
- pollen and grasses
- Certain foods
- hair of other animals
- Cigarette smoke
- Parasitic infestation [2]
When it comes to food allergies, various proteins, grain products or soy are usually responsible. Doctors refer to this as “potential allergens”.
What is noticeable here is that the dog's muzzle swells evenly and the eyes also partially swell. Other classic signs include:
- Severe itching
- Nausea and vomiting
- Labored breathing
- Dog's nose drips
- Redness on the face
- Dog gets diarrhea
- Frequent sneezing [3]
Unfortunately, there is no cure for allergies, which is why prevention is your best option here. The symptoms can also be alleviated with medication.
When dogs are allergic to food or other potential allergens, their entire snout can swell. As a rule, it can be recognized by the fact that the swelling is uniform, the skin reddens and diarrhea occurs.
#2 Dental problems
When people are in pain, they instinctively start to complain. Dogs, on the other hand, instinctively hide pain for evolutionary reasons.
As a dog owner, you can recognize existing pain. The most common problems with the teeth and in the mouth include:
- Dental caries
- Splinter injuries
- Inflamed gums
- Holes in the tooth
- Broken tooth
- Inflammation of the periodontium
- Excessive tartar [4]
It can usually be recognized by the fact that the dog refuses his dry food and the snout swells on one side. Other typical signs include:
- Dog chews on one side
- Strong bad breath
- Discoloration of the gums
- Dog salivates heavily
- Foam at the muzzle
- Dog becomes sensitive to touch
- Bleeding in the mouth [5]
If you suspect this, you should seek the help of a veterinarian immediately. If left untreated, dental problems can cause massive pain.
If dogs have problems with their teeth, gums or other areas of their mouth, this can be indicated by a swollen muzzle. In most cases, affected four-legged friends also begin to drool and refuse to eat.
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#3 Tumor
Fortunately, of all types of tumors, a tumor in the oral cavity is relatively rare. Only one in 17 tumors is said to occur in the mouth and not all of them are malignant.
In the case of tumors, the cause can rarely be determined. However, according to statistics, male dogs are twice as likely to be affected. The following dogs are at increased risk:
- Weimaraner
- German boxer
- Labrador retrievers
- Toy Poodle
- Chow Chow
- Golden retrievers
- German shepherd dog
- Gordon Setter [6]
Affected dogs typically develop strong bad breath. Larger swellings on the snout are also not atypical. Other possible signs include:
- Redness of the gums
- Pain when chewing
- Dog is bleeding in the mouth
- Loss of appetite
- Profuse drooling
- Inflammation in the mouth
- Touch sensitivity [7]
If you suspect a tumor, you should consult the vet immediately so that spreading can be prevented. Surgical removal is usually necessary as treatment.
A tumor in the mouth of dogs can cause their snouts to swell on one or both sides. Typically, there are also other symptoms such as bleeding in the mouth, excessive salivation and bad breath.
#4 Injuries
Unlike humans, dogs literally run through life nose-first. This explains why the following injuries to the mouth are much more common:
- Bruise from impact
- Broken jaw
- Contact with a hedgehog
- Snake bites
- Fighting with other dogs
- Thorns & Sting [8]
In many cases, this also forms a cyst. This refers to a cavity that fills with water, air or tissue. In addition, cysts often appear very suddenly.
In addition to cysts, injuries to the mouth can also cause fluid or blood to accumulate in the tissue. Typical symptoms of this are:
- Whining when chewing
- Swollen muzzle
- Profuse salivation
- Dog scratches his mouth
- Foul smelling bad breath
- Touch sensitivity
- Blood or pus in the mouth [9]
If the injury becomes infected, it can cause severe pain. For this reason, if you suspect something, you should take action immediately.
A variety of injuries to the face and mouth can be identified by a swollen snout on one or both sides. Affected dogs usually have problems chewing or even have blood in their mouth.
#5 Inflammation
Various infections in and around the dog's mouth can cause swelling. Typical examples are here:
If the dog's nasal mucosa or sinuses become inflamed, doctors speak of “rhinitis” and “sinusitis”.
It is primarily triggered by an accumulation of bacteria, fungi, viruses and allergic reactions. It can usually be recognized by a discharge from the nose.
In addition, affected four-legged friends sneeze very frequently, breathe with their mouths open and snore a lot. A slight swelling of the snout is also not untypical here. [10]
An infection of the oral mucosa, gums or periodontium can lead to similar symptoms. Here too, bacteria are primarily responsible.
In the vast majority of cases, this can be recognized by the gums being bright red and swelling. In severe cases, the entire mouth also swells.
Affected dogs often refuse their food due to the pain and appear depressed. In addition, an unusually large amount of saliva is usually produced. [11]
Various inflammations in the mouth and nose can cause the dog's muzzle to swell. Infections in the nose can often be recognized by breathing. When there is inflammation in the mouth, redness and bleeding are more common.
#6 Craniomandibular osteopathy
CMO is a hereditary bone disease in dogs. More specifically, this disease causes the lower jaw to increase significantly in size.
The exact cause of this is still unclear. However, symptoms usually occur between the 3rd and 8th months of life. The following breeds are at increased risk:
- West Highland White Terrier
- Doberman
- Cairn terriers
- Great Dane
- Boston terriers
- Labrador retrievers
- Bull Terrier
- Scottish terriers [12]
What is noticeable here is that the swelling only occurs on the underside of the snout. Affected dogs often experience severe pain. Other symptoms include:
- Touch sensitivity
- Refusal to eat despite hunger
- Pain when chewing
- Increased saliva production
- Problems opening your mouth
- Sporadic fever attacks [13]
In most cases, the bone changes resolve spontaneously after a year. The treatment therefore primarily focuses on pain.
In some breeds, swelling of the underside of the muzzle occurs due to heredity. The symptoms typically appear primarily within the first year of life and resolve on their own. Painkillers are the first choice here.
#7 Abscess
When pus accumulates in the dog's tissue, doctors call it an “abscess.” It is usually triggered by injuries to the mouth. Other triggers include:
- Bacterial inflammation
- Bite injuries from other animals
- Ingrown hairs
- Splinter injuries [14]
Typically, with abscesses, the snout only swells on one side. The swelling can be as big as a golf ball. The area is also very sensitive to touch.
Because of the existing pain, affected dogs often refuse to eat, even though they have an appetite. Other classic signs are here:
- Severe redness
- Aggressive behavior when touched
- Foul smell
- Dog is constantly whining
- Warm skin
- Spotty hair loss
- Occasional fever [15]
The therapy here depends on the degree of severity. The pus collection is usually either removed surgically or flushed out. The vet can help here.
Abscesses in and around the dog's mouth can cause the snout to swell on one side. Such accumulations of pus are typically accompanied by severe pain, which is why dogs react very sensitively or even become aggressive when they come into contact.
#8 Cellulite
Laypeople often confuse “cellulitis” with “cellulite”. But these are two completely different things. Cellulitis is a rare skin disease.
The exact cause is still unclear here. However, it most commonly occurs in puppies between the first and sixth months of life. But it can also affect older dogs.
It is assumed that this is an immune reaction in which the dog's immune system attacks its own skin. [16]
Typically, with this skin disease, not only the snout but also the entire face swells slightly. Other classic signs include:
- Pustules on the skin
- Hair loss on the chin
- Scarring of the skin
- Dog has crusty skin
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Joint pain
- Pus-filled pimples [17]
As a rule, medication is combined with regular bathing for treatment. The symptoms should disappear within a month.
In dogs with cellulitis, swelling of the muzzle can occur very suddenly for reasons that are still unclear. It can be recognized primarily by pimples, pustules and crusty skin. Without early treatment, large scars can also occur.
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