Why is my dog's lip drooping? Is it serious and does he need a vet?

This sounds like a serious problem, especially given the chronicity. A neurologic problem with the nerves to the face or a neuromuscular problem (facial muscles) may be options. Unfortunately there are many things that could be causing these symptoms. A good place to start is baseline bloodwork to check organ function along with a full neurologic exam by a vet. If your family vet is stumped then referral to a veterinary specialist (internist or neurologist) is indicated. More testing is needed in a case like this in order to know what is the best treatment. Your family vet should be able to provide referral or you can search for a specialist online. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Hello, thank you for your question about Leo. This is not a cause for immediate concern and I would recommend continuing to monitor his lip. It is possible he is having a mild reaction to something in his environment, such as a plastic food dish, etc. If the lip becomes swollen, ulcerated, or Leo stops eating I would recommend having him seen by your veterinarian for further evaluation. Hope this helps!

Toby is a very handsome man! If the area continues to bother him (if it stays swollen and he doesn't want you touching it) I recommend making an appointment to have him seen by a vet for diagnosis and treatment of the issue. If the swelling spreads elsewhere, he develops hives, or he begins to have any difficulty breathing, have him seen by a vet right away, as this could be a sign of a serious allergic reaction. If you are using plastic food or water bowls I recommend switching to stainless steel or glass and washing them thoroughly every day, as sometimes plastic bowls and the bacteria that can live on them can lead to irritation of the lips/ chin. If you think Toby may have chewed on an electrical wire and that may have caused the lesion on his lip, let your vet know right away, as this can be very painful.

Poor pup! I'm sorry to hear that she's having this problem. There are a number of different things that could cause problems with closing the mouth and excessive drooling like this, so it's hard to say what might be wrong without being able to examine her. Some common possibilities would include an injury to the mouth or jaw, a tumor or infection in the mouth, or a neurologic problem such as a stroke. I would recommend taking your dog to the vet for an exam today, if possible, since some of these problems can be quite serious. Your vet can do a complete neurologic exam and may also sedate her so that a thorough oral exam can be performed as well. Once a diagnosis is made, he/she can talk to you about what treatment will be needed.

Swollen lips can be a sign of many things including a bug or spider bite, an allergic reaction, an injury or an infection. It's best to play it safe and have Timmy examined by the veterinarian. Do not let Timmy further traumatize the area by chewing on toys. You may also try applying a cool (not cold) compress. I hope this helps.

I think I understand what you are trying to describe when you say a dropping jawline. If you are indicating that part of Austin's face is drooping while the other side is normal, than this is normally due to some sort of neurologic condition resulting in paralysis of the facial nerve. It can cause excessive drooling, dropping of food, general asymmetry of the facial musculature, and sometimes issues closing the eye on the affected side of the face. The cause of this condition is often a mystery, though some of the causes that are recognized include significant ear infections, trauma, polys in the nose / mouth, and certain types of cancer. Treatment of this condition is completely based on the underlying cause (if it can be identified) and management of the resulting symptoms. Hope this makes sense.

It's unfortunately not possible to post pictures here, it's only possible through our private consultation system. A swollen lip can be caused as a result of a trauma (injury) or insect bite. If it is bleeding a lot I would recommend taking her to the vet as it is quiet difficult to treat at home, it's a delicate location to stop the bleeding or prevent the dog from licking it. If it's just bleeding a little bit and slightly swollen, it is likely to get better within a few days, try to keep the area clean as much as you can, avoid feeding wet food and make sure her water is changed several times a day.