Nose Bleed in Dogs

There can be numerous probable causes for epistaxis, which must ruled out to ensure the health of your dog:

• Mild or severe trauma to the snout
• High blood pressure
• Dental disease
• Presence of a tumor
• Coagulation problem
• The presence of a foreign body lodged in the nose
• Certain cancers
• Ingestion of rat poison
• Fungal infection
• Certain tick-borne diseases
• Issues with blood proteins.

Your veterinarian will begin to diagnose the reason why your pet has bleeding from the nose after acquiring and evaluating your dog’s recent medical history. She will inquire about medications your pet may be taking and whether you have noticed any unusual bleeding prior to this event. If there has been a trauma to your dog’s nose, advise the veterinarian. Other information to relay would be if you have used any poisons or pesticides in your yard, or whether your dog has been exposed to any rodents recently. Your veterinarian will also want to know if the stools have been normal.

An examination will include checking the appearance of the area around the nose and the gums. Your veterinarian will look for evidence of pain or facial swelling, and check the condition of the eyes, looking for redness or abnormalities.

Your veterinarian will likely order a CBC , blood chemistry and clotting profile to check for anemia along with other potential issues, such as organ damage. She may want to do a radiograph (x-ray) to look for evidence of internal bleeding. Other tests, such as MRI or bone marrow analysis may be required, depending on findings from the initial examination.

Treatment will begin with returning your pet to a better immediate state of health. Ensuring that your dog can breathe properly and has not lost too much blood are two important considerations. Treatment for blood loss may be required. Upon leaving the clinic, you will be asked to carefully monitor your pet’s activity levels, appetite and general demeanor over the coming days.

Treatment will vary depending on the underlying cause of the nose bleed. If your pet is suffering from a fungal infection, nasal aspiration and antifungal medication may be necessary. If a foreign object is lodged in the nose, the prognosis is typically good once the object has been removed. Other illnesses such as a tumor, cancer or tick borne illness will require more invasive investigation and treatment.  Infections will likely require antibiotics.  

Successful recovery and management for your pet depends upon the origin of the nose bleed. Complete cessation of the bleeding, continued normal vital signs, and the return to usual behaviors are the desired goals.

Dental issues, infection, and the removal of a foreign object all allow for a favorable recovery. If there is the diagnosis of an underlying illness that continues to progress, the recovery will be more difficult and treatment will be more extensive. The possibility of an illness progressing to an untreatable stage exists also. For example, the presence of a tumor or cancerous growth in the nasal cavity or skull would result in a poor prognosis for recovery.