My dog's lip is swollen and red after a dog fight. Is it infected?

Ouch, poor Kobi. I don't see any bleeding, and it doesn't appear as if the bite is deep. Gently wash the area with warm water, and keep an eye on it. If you see any redness, swelling, pus, or it's warm to the touch, then it's infected and he will have to see a vet. Best of luck.

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sorry to hear about Panda. I would monitor this closely. Signs of infection include redness, swelling, pain, discharge, and loss of function so if you notice this getting worse or other signs develop, take him back to have him re-evaluated. You can use some topical Neosporin or similar antibiotic ointment on the incision. Just make sure if doesn't contain hydrocortisone or a steroid. Good luck

Thank you for submitting your question. I'm sorry to hear about the dog fight. I'm concerned that her face is still swollen this many days after the fight. There is a chance an abscess has now formed. Bacteria are introduced under the skin with the bite. The skin tends to heal over the wound trapping the bacteria under the skin. If the infection grows, a swelling known as an abscess forms. This will likely require antibiotics, if not surgery to heal. Your dog will need to see a veterinarian. In the meantime, you can try warm compresses at home. Apply a warm washcloth to the swollen area for 5 minutes three times per day. I hope this information!

Hi there, It may just be a pocket caused by the fight that is now filling with fluid, kind of similar to a bruise but different in appearance because of the loose skin. I would apply a hot compress to the area (make sure it's not too hot) to help the fluid move around and absorb, but if it's still swollen in 24-48 hours I'd have you vet check. Best wishes and thanks for using Pet Coach!

Hello. Many bite wounds can lie quiet for a couple of days until an infection sets in. Then, things seem to get worse in a short period of time. Once your vet gets the area cleaned up & antibiotics are started, Alfie should heal very quickly. In the meantime, you can try applying warm compresses to the swollen cheek. The water should be quite warm & if you can do this for 5-10 minutes a couple of times a day until his appointment, this will be helpful. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

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.

If this presentation is due to a trauma and secondary localized spot of skin infection (likely to be caused by bacteria), a check up, appropriate disinfection and antibiotics (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are needed to solve the problem. Yes I would recommend to have them prescribed by your vet. Disinfection may be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any scratching. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. Please find the time to give us a feedback about the consultation as that will be used to improve our service.