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Why does my dog have a sudden lump on her jaw and swollen face?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Australian Shepherd | Female | spayed | 1 year and 9 months old | 35 lbs

My dog is 1 year old, Australian Shepard mix. Over the course of one night, she developed a large mass on the side of her jaw. The mass got so large that the whole left side of her face looked swollen. I gave her benedryl assuming she had gotten bit by a spider or some type of bug. The benedryl helped a little. It’s been 5 days now and it looks like there is a ball on the side of her jaw/below her ear. (The lump is smaller than a tennis ball and bigger than golf ball). what could it possibly be?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on October 11th, 2018

This could be an overly full salivary gland due to a n obstructed or blocked salivary duct. This could also be a cyst or an abscess or, indeed, and insect bite. This is something that needs to be examined by your veterinarian and possibly drained. If there is a salivary duct blockage the duct will need to be unblocked. Please take Sadie to your veterinarian before the weekend.

2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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