Swollen Face

[Snoopy21]

Riff Raff got up this morning with a swollen lower jaw on one side. He had been out already by the time I saw him, and it was fine last night. I've made a vet appointment for tomorrow afternoon but I'm hoping it will settle before then (but will take him sooner if he looks ill). I can't see any puncture wounds or other trauma, just the swelling. He did catch and kill a wallaby yesterday morning (and ate some of it). He seems well enough in himself, is hungry and doesn't seem to have a fever (I haven't taken it though, just going by his ears etc). He's a little reluctant to play fetch or tug, so I gather it is sore. He is a 14 month old, healthy, vaccinated/wormed, spoiled staffy kelpie type cross.

So what could it be and what should I look out for? Dental abscess, blow to the face or insect bite maybe? Snake bite is a possibility in our yard, as is a fall or rough play with our other dog (or the neighbour's dog that came under the fence yesterday too).

[aliwake]

Someone was telling me about something similar with their dog yesterday - apparently it was a piece of stick stuck in the dog's gum. Hopefully it's will be something easily fixable for your dog. If he's in pain, perhaps you should try to go to the vet sooner?

[persephone]

poor wallaby! :(

With a bit of luck, the wallaby got in a bite or kick ....

if your dog is eating, and generally happy ..then just keep him cool & quiet until the vet can check . You're right - it could be a number of things ..and it's being safe to have it looked at .

(fever cannot be diagnosed by ears ;) )

[Snoopy21]

Lol....I realise that, but usually their ears get red and feel hot if they are fevery. I can't find my thermometer!

The wallabies insist on coming into the yard when they know that there are two big dogs here. They rarely fight back, they seem to just lie down and give up once they are cornered

I don't think he is in too much pain Aliwake - he certainly at his breakfast with the usual gusto and was begging the kids for theirs as usual. Thanks for your concern though, I'm certainly keeping an eye on him. The vet clinic was heavily booked unfortunately.

[aliwake]

That sux when they're so busy! I have no doubt you're doing all the right things :)

I don't think he is in too much pain Aliwake - he certainly at his breakfast with the usual gusto and was begging the kids for theirs as usual. Thanks for your concern though, I'm certainly keeping an eye on him. The vet clinic was heavily booked unfortunately.

[tdierikx]

Could he have been bitten by a bee or other insect?

T.

[honeybun]

Went with a friend and her dog, with similar symptoms,to the vet on Monday, and it was an abscess from a broken tooth, which was removed by surgery yesterday.Anti biotics started to bring the swelling down before the surgery.

Hope your fellow has something simple and easily fixed.

Edited January 30, 2014 by honeybun

[Snoopy21]

Me too! Thanks everyone.

There were a lot of European wasps around tdierikx because of the fresh meat So he could easily have been stung. If anything it has started to go down, so I think he'll be ok.