Yes. A lingual abscess caused acute, severe tongue enlargement (macroglossia) in one dog described in a 2026 case report. CT identified a cavity in the tongue, and sampling confirmed infection. The dog improved with medical treatment, but a single case cannot establish a treatment plan for other dogs. Sudden, marked tongue swelling can threaten breathing and make eating or drinking difficult, so it warrants urgent veterinary attention.
What happened in the reported case?
In a case report published in the Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association (JAAHA) on March 1, 2026, Dohee Lee and coauthors described a 9-year-old castrated male French Bulldog weighing 13.9 kg. The dog was brought in with acute tongue swelling and marked macroglossia. The report is a single case, not a study of how often this condition occurs or how reliably a particular treatment works.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
CT showed a cavitary lesion extending from the root to the body of the tongue, with rim enhancement. The veterinary team aspirated the lesion. Cytology showed degenerate neutrophils and intracellular bacteria, supporting the diagnosis of an abscess; culture of the aspirated fluid isolated Neisseria animaloris. The report identifies the bacterium recovered from this dog, but does not establish what initiated the infection.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
How did the dog respond to treatment?
After aspiration, the dog received fluid therapy, systemic antibiotics, and prednisolone at an anti-inflammatory dose. Tongue size improved rapidly and was normal by day four. Treatment was discontinued 22 days after presentation, and the abstract reported no recurrence at that time. The report describes successful medical management without surgery in this dog; it does not show that surgery is unnecessary in other cases or establish this combination as a standard protocol.
#1 Best Overall
- TPR NUBS REACH THE GUM LINE TO HELP REDUCE PLAQUE AND TARTAR: Soft TPR (thermoplastic rubber) nubs on the chew surface flex during chewing to reach the gum line, supporting mechanical plaque and tartar reduction with every chewing session.
- TRI-BONE SHAPE LETS DOGS GRIP AND CHEW WITH BACK TEETH EFFECTIVELY: The unique tri-bone geometry is easy for dogs to hold between their front paws, positioning the chew so back teeth can engage the textured surface for a thorough cleaning action.
- PEANUT BUTTER FLAVOR ENCOURAGES CONSISTENT AND EXTENDED CHEWING: Peanut butter flavoring is infused throughout the chew to maintain dog interest over extended chewing sessions, supporting consistent dental cleaning engagement throughout playtime.
- DURABLE NYLON CONSTRUCTION FOR AGGRESSIVE AND HEAVY CHEWERS: Built from tough nylon composite to withstand the chewing force of aggressive dogs, providing a longer-lasting alternative to soft rubber or rope toys for determined heavy chewers.
- STUFFING-FREE DESIGN FOR QUIET INDOOR CHEWING WITHOUT MESS: Solid, stuffing-free construction prevents fill from being pulled out, making this chew appropriate for indoor use during work calls, nap time, and other low-disturbance situations.
What each test contributed
- CT: characterized the lesion as a cavity with rim enhancement and showed its extent from the tongue root to the body.
- Aspiration and cytology: provided material in which degenerate neutrophils and intracellular bacteria supported an abscess diagnosis.
- Culture: identified N. animaloris in the aspirated fluid.
These are the findings reported for this patient, not a universal diagnostic pathway. The case report does not compare alternative tests or set out criteria for choosing among them.
Why acute tongue swelling needs urgent attention
A very enlarged tongue may obstruct or compromise the airway and can interfere with eating or drinking. The AAHA summary of the case flags these risks. If a dog develops sudden, marked tongue swelling, contact a veterinarian or emergency clinic promptly rather than waiting to see whether it settles. The case report does not provide a home-care treatment or a way to assess airway risk remotely.
Rank #2
- CONTAINS: Contains 3 Hartz Medium Chew ‘n Clean Dental Duo dog toys. Other sizes available are extra small through extra large and in a variety of colors.
- FOR MILD TO MODERATE CHEWERS: This dog chew toy has a durable nylon shell that holds a yummy bacon-flavored treat in the center for mild to moderate chewers – a toy and treat all in one for chewing satisfaction!
- DENTAL BENEFITS: Chewing helps remove tartar, keeps teeth clean, and exercises gums – this chew toy supports general oral health by enticing your dog to chew!
- BACON FLAVORED TREAT: Not only is the edible bacon flavored treat center delicious, it also contains DentaShield, a special ingredient that helps reduce new tartar formation by bonding with components in your dog’s saliva.
- SUPERVISE YOUR PUP: Always select toys for your dog’s size and chewing habits and be sure to supervise your pet’s chew and play time. Additional Chew ‘n Clean Dog Bacon Scented Chew Toys available are Tuff Bones for tough chewers & Twisty Bones for mild to moderate chewers.
What this case does—and does not—show
The authors called it the first report describing CT findings of a lingual abscess in a dog and reported a successful outcome with medical management alone. That is a claim about the published literature and outcome described in this case, not evidence that lingual abscesses commonly present this way or that every dog will respond similarly. One patient cannot determine the best treatment for other dogs, the cause of this dog’s infection, or the likelihood of recurrence.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Sources: Lee et al., “Successful Medical Management of Severe Macroglossia Associated With Lingual Abscess in a Dog,” JAAHA, March 1, 2026; Ben Williams, AAHA editorial summary, March 17, 2026.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- BAKING SODA INFUSED FRESHENS BREATH DURING CHEWING: The Nubbies TriBone is infused with Arm & Hammer baking soda to help freshen breath and neutralize mouth odors while dogs chew, play, and grip the toy during daily sessions.
- SCRUBBING NUBS REDUCE PLAQUE AND TARTAR BUILDUP: The multi-bone shape features scrubbing nubs and grooves designed to contact tooth surfaces during chewing and help remove tartar and plaque buildup between regular brushing sessions.
- PEANUT BUTTER FLAVOR MOTIVATES LONGER CHEWING: Peanut butter flavor keeps dogs engaged with the TriBone through extended sessions, giving the nubby surfaces more contact time on tooth surfaces for more effective cleaning action.
- NYLON AND TPR CONSTRUCTION SATISFYING DURABILITY: Made with a nylon and TPR material combination for durable chew resistance and satisfying texture designed specifically for moderate chewers needing daily dental toy stimulation.
- NO STUFFING NO SQUEAKER CLEAN QUIET EXPERIENCE: The TriBone contains no stuffing to pull out and no squeaker to destroy, making it a mess-free, quiet chewing option for households that prefer a calmer enrichment toy daily.
Rank #4
- Made For Dogs 30-60 lbs – This 6 inch T-bone chew toy is sized for dogs in the 30 to 60 lb range, helping shoppers choose a better fit for medium-size dogs and stronger chewers. Please review dimensions before ordering.
- Built For Moderate To Heavy Chewers – Made with bamboo fiber and nylon for a long-lasting chew experience, this sturdy dog toy stands up to moderate to heavy chewing while helping satisfy natural chewing instincts.
- Easy To Grip T-Bone Shape – The ergonomic T-bone design is easy for dogs to hold with their paws, while the 4.38 inch base steadies the toy and the approx. 1.6 inch top gives dogs a practical section to grab and bite.
- Helps Reduce Destructive Chewing – Give dogs a durable outlet for chewing at home or during downtime. This engaging chew toy helps redirect destructive chewing behavior and keeps dogs busy, stimulated, and entertained.
- Textured Surface With Beef Flavor – Raised nubs and ridges help support cleaner teeth and gum stimulation during chewing, while the beef flavor keeps dogs interested for longer-lasting enrichment and everyday play.
Rank #3
- ✅ Keep Your Dogs' Oral Health and Fresh — Dog tooth
- ✅ Relieves Anxiety — Your lovely dog will generate psychological stress when they are alone at home. This safe dog chewy toy can help your dog release stress and spend the boring time. To keep the toothbrush stick clean, we suggest you to clean it before and after dogs chew it.
- ✅ Great For Stuffing — This chew toy is even more enticing when stuffed with kibble, peanut butter,Snacks or Ziggies. Dishwasher safe for easy clean up.
- ✅ Perfect Size — This dog chew toothbrush toy is only suitable for small, medium and large dogs (10-70 LBS), not for aggressive chewer dogs. Ideal for playing chewing chasing training indoor and outdoor.
- ✅ Satisfaction Guaranteed — Not any dog toothbrush toy is truly indestructible, if there have some quality for this dog squeak toys, just click "Contact Us" and we will be happy to assist you with replacement or refund for the dog toys.
