A Remedy for Swollen Lips on Dogs

Swollen lips on your dog may be from a number of causes, including allergies, chelitis, stomatitis, thrush and poison. Stomatitis is typically caused by periodontal problems and must be taken care of by your vet, but thrush, bee sting allergies, chelitis and poisons may be treated at home if they are not severe.

  1. Bee Sting

    • Bee stings cause swelling in dogs as much as humans. Remove the stinger from your dog with tweezers. Check your pet's breathing and other symptoms. If your dog is vomiting, breathing quickly, collapses, is trembling or weak, or has diarrhea and pale gums, get him to the doctor. Rub honey on the dog's gums and keep him warm. If there is only swelling, give your dog 1mg of an over-the-counter antihistamine per pound of body weight. Apply the antihistamine right to the sting site. Hold a cold pack on your dog's mouth for 10 to 30 minutes. Create a paste with baking soda and water and apply it directly to the swelling.

    Chelitis

    • Chelitis is lip inflammation caused by chapped lips and infection inside the dog's mouth. You may see crusts on the lips that peel off, and they will be raw and sensitive to your touch. Clean your dog's lips every day with benzoyl peroxide shampoo or a one to five dilution of hydrogen peroxide to water. Rub an antibiotic cream on your dog's mouth after cleaning it. Apply aloe vera, chapstick or petroleum jelly after the infection is gone to keep your dog's lips healthy.

    Thrush

    • Thrush occurs in dogs that are being treated with antibiotics. The broad-spectrum antibiotics kill good bacteria and yeast is allowed to grow. You will notice white patches or a white membrane and ulcers may appear. Visit your vet for a topical antifungal drug that is applied regularly until the yeast is gone and the swelling dissipates.

    Poison

    • Toxic plants, insects and pesticides can all poison dogs. If the swelling on your dog's lips is accompanied by drooling, diarrhea, hallucination, coma, seizures or vomiting, your dog may have been poisoned. Mix an activated charcoal tablet with 10cc of water. You may need a vet's assistance if the poisoning is severe. Mix enough to give your dog one teaspoon full of the mixture per two pounds of body weight, and follow this with a full pint of water. Wait 30 minutes and give one teaspoon of Milk of Magnesia per five pounds of body weight. Wash the dog, especially around the mouth, with lukewarm, soapy water. Gasoline or oil can be soaked in vegetable oil.