Dog’s Lip Drooping and Eye Not Blinking?

Call your veterinary team promptly if your dog suddenly has a drooping lip or ear, drops food from one side of the mouth, or does not blink normally. Mention the eye when booking the assessment, even if the feeding mess is what first caught your attention.

The Merck Veterinary Manual describes these as possible features of facial nerve dysfunction. Facial movement, eyelid closure, and tear production need assessment. A food change alone cannot establish why the face has changed.

Observe without testing the eye

Note when you first noticed the difference, which side looks affected, and whether the dog can close both eyes during ordinary blinking. A short, comfortable video may help. Do not touch the eye, wave objects toward it, or repeatedly make the dog blink to test a reflex.

Report redness, cloudiness, discharge, rubbing, or squinting immediately. Our dry-eye guide explains tear testing separately; a dog with facial weakness may need the eye checked even before those visible changes appear.

Describe what happens during an ordinary meal

Has food started falling out, collecting inside the lip, or taking longer to eat? Is water spilling from one corner? Record what you saw without forcing another meal for a demonstration. Tell the clinic about coughing, choking, or difficulty swallowing and ask what to offer while awaiting assessment.

VCA’s facial paralysis resource explains why the veterinary workup may include tear testing and an ear examination. Bring a history of ear trouble, recent injury, procedures, and medication. The absence of a current ear smell does not settle the cause.

Leave with separate eye and feeding instructions

Ask whether any eye protection or medication is needed, how it should be given, and which changes require an urgent return. Do not start leftover drops. If a feeding adaptation is recommended, get its texture, amount, supervision, and review timing in writing.

Keep a record of comfortable eating and drinking once the clinician has advised how to proceed. Improvement in the mess at the bowl does not by itself show that blinking or the eye surface has recovered. Both parts of the plan need their own follow-up.

Written by PARTNER Editorial Team for general education. Contact your veterinary team for advice about your pet’s individual health and feeding needs.