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Why is my dog's face swollen under her eye and turning purple?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Hello. My dog’s face underneath her right eye is swollen. It’s been this way for a week and a half. It goes down and then it swells back up again. We have been giving her Benadryl. It seems that it did help it go down but the last day or so it has not gone down. We woke up this morning to her under eye area being a little purple. I have attached some photos. Is there something we can do or can you help figure out what she might have going on?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Destini R. Holloway, DVM

Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on December 20th, 2019

Poor guy. She does have a lot of tear staining, but I don't appreciate any purple bruising there. This looks very suspicious for a tooth root abscess. If your pet is an older dog and never had a teeth cleaning, then the teeth can get really infected and cause swelling and infection through the cheek bone. If this is the case, then a short course of antibiotics will be needed, as well as extraction of the infected tooth through your vet.

Another possible cause is a localized reaction or allergy. I would highly recommend taking your pet to the vet within the next few days to have her teeth checked and to be fully assessed.
Until you can get her in to be seen, continue to give the Benadryl every 12 hrs since it did seem to help. Also you can do warm compresses on the area for 3-5 mins twice daily if it seems to be causing her pain.

I hope that your pet gets this swelling issue resolved soon! Best wishes and take care.
Vote Icon9Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Linda G, MS, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on August 28th, 2019

    Hello. This could be a tooth root abscess. Brandy needs to be seen by your veterinarian to have her teeth evaluated. She may need to have her teeth cleaned, but she certainly needs antibiotics. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

    Vote Icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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