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Sneezing Blood in Dogs
Written By hannah hollinger
Published: 07/22/2017Updated: 07/23/2021
Veterinary reviewed by Dr. Linda Simon, MVB MRCVS
What is Sneezing Blood?
There are several reasons as to why your dog is sneezing blood. It could be an allergy, infection, or even a foreign body that was breathed into your dog's nose and has been trapped inside. Dogs noses don’t bleed easily, so it is something that needs prompt attention. If your dog is one of the long nosed variety (such as Labrador, German Shepherd and others), they are susceptible to nasal cancer and tumors. Cancer can cause bleeding from either one or both nostrils. Request that your veterinarian assess your dog to determine the cause, some of which are listed below.
- Foreign object
- Bacterial infection
- Allergies
- Tooth and gum problems
- Nasal cancer such as a tumor
- Blood clotting disorder
- Nasal polyp (benign growth)
Why Sneezing Blood Occurs in Dogs
Foreign Object
Your dog is the original sticky beak; they are always poking their nose in places to see what is there, huffing and snuffling as they do. Sometimes they sniff up pointed seed grains that can lodge in their nasal area which causes them to sneeze repeatedly to try and remove it, which often causes bleeding.
Fungal, Bacterial & Parasitic Infections
Any fungal or bacterial infection within the nasal area can cause your dog fits of sneezing, and because sneezing is a violent action, it can often cause nose bleeds. Look for other signs of infection such as our discharge and test to see whether air is coming from one or both nostrils. Nasal mite infestation can also cause sneezing which can produce blood in the fluids.
Allergies
Allergies can also promote sneezing bouts that can, in turn, cause bleeding. The allergy is usually a seasonal occurrence, such as late spring and early summer when all the plant and grass pollen is floating around. Other allergens can be cigarette smoke or commonly used cleaning products used around the house. For most, allergic reactions will not cause nasal bleeding.
Tooth and Gum Problems
Tooth problems, including gum disease and abscesses, can drain back into the nasal cavity and cause your dog to sneeze frequently, which in turn can cause bleeding. Tooth root abscesses would be a primary consideration. If left unattended, these pathological organisms can travel to other parts of the body and can turn the problems into long term chronic conditions.
Cancer and Tumors
While it is scary to contemplate, you need to be aware that in an older dog, you may encounter bloody sneezing which can be caused by the growth of a tumor in one of the nasal passages. The tumors start slowly with your dog only sneezing occasionally to clear the growth, but as the tumor expands and takes up more room, your dog will have frequent attacks of sneezing as he tries to expel the growth. The tumor usually only affects one side and blood loss in the affected nostril will be noticeable.
What to do if your Dog is Sneezing Blood
Because dogs should never have a nose bleed, it is a symptom that all is not right with your dog, especially when blood is a by-product of the sneeze. Some dogs won't allow you to peer up their nose, or into their mouth, so a trip to the veterinarian is the most effective solution.
For a foreign object lodged in the nasal area, your dog will be sedated while the veterinarian attempts to remove it. Afterwards, your dog will need an anti-inflammatory injection and antibiotics and should quickly return to normal health after removal of the item. Usually, this condition only affects one side of the nose.
Bacterial, viral or fungal infections will be prescribed a course of medication aimed at the type of infection present.
A dental clean under anaesthetic will help to clear the infection spread by diseased gums and cracked teeth. Often, a course of medication over two to three weeks can clear the infection and allow your dog to return to normal. For nasal mite infestations, special medications will be administered to kill the mites.
Allergies will cause your dog some discomfort, but if it is seasonal, you can make changes to your dog’s day by keeping them indoors more, especially on very windy days. Removal of any highly potent pollen producing trees or bushes around your home may help. Your vet may prescribe anti-histamines.
If your veterinarian cannot find any of the above causes, then he will check for tumors within the nasal area. A full examination of your dog will be carried out, checking the mouth and nasal area using x-rays of the skull and CT scans, and the vet may take a biopsy through the nostrils. An x-ray or CT scan will look for changes or destruction to the nasal area. If the damage is noted in the nasal bones, it is usually caused by infection or cancer. These tests can also show any infection within the teeth roots. Blood tests and vigorous flushing of liquid to clear the nasal area (with the fluid then being sampled and analysed) are other processes that will help determine the diagnosis. Surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are sometimes available for treatment, but surgery in this area is very difficult with so many hidden pockets. Your veterinarian will be able to advise you on the right course of action to help your dog.
Prevention of Sneezing Blood
It’s hard to prevent your dog getting his nose into ‘stuff’ because that’s what dogs do. Keeping your dog on a lead when out walking will let you see what your dog is exploring, and you can guide him away from harmful things. Ensuring you have a good management program for your dog will help keep them healthy. Implement dental care, a healthy diet, plenty of exercise, and grooming. When grooming and when your dog is relaxed, it is a great opportunity to check your dog's ears, nose, eyes and belly for any changes. As an owner, through careful observation, you will notice subtle changes to your dog's behavior or personality which you can then take steps to remedy. Schedule a regular visit for your dog to go to the veterinary clinic. Like so many health issues, the sooner they are treated, the easier to solve.
Keep your dog up to date with their parasite prevention.
Cost of Sneezing Blood
Treatment may only cost the price of a clinic visit if it is a minor condition, but costs can vary depending on what condition your dog has. The treatment for mite infection within the nasal area could cost approximately $500 while the costs for treating a malignant tumor could set you back up to $12,000. The tooth abstraction and treatment of an abscess can cost anywhere between $500 and $1,500 depending on the severity. These costs are just an approximate price as it depends on the extent of treatment that your dog requires.
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Sneezing Blood Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Chihuahua Mix
Three Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Sneezing And Nose Bleeding
My dog has been sneezing a lot since yesterday afternoon and sometimes blood comes out when she sneezes , shes active and happy as usual also eating
Sept. 26, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
If she is still having these problems, It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine your pet, see what might be going on, and get treatment for them if needed.
Oct. 17, 2020
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German Shepherd
Two Years
14 found this helpful
14 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Vomit And Nose Bleed
Large pile of Vomit (once) 2 days Ago. Sneezed today nosebleed
Sept. 14, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
14 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I'm not sure that the vomiting and the nose bleed are necessarily related, but they may be. If the sneezing is a repeated thing, and is getting to the point where you are seeing blood, that may be caused by an allergy, an inhaled irritant, a nasal foreign body, or a systemic disease. If it is something that is continuing to happen, it would be best to have your dog seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine the nose and see what might be causing this problem. Once they know more, they will be able to let you know what treatment might be needed. I hope that all goes well for your dog and they feel better soon.
Sept. 14, 2020
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English Springer Spaniel
One Year
17 found this helpful
17 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Sneezing Bloody Nose
Our dog has been reverse sneezing a lot the last 3 days, and sneezing normally more often. We just noticed this morning that he had some blood in his nose.
Aug. 31, 2020
Answered by Jessica N. DVM
17 Recommendations
Hello-
Because there is blood present in his nasal discharge I do think that warrants a trip to your veterinarian. It could be something very simple such as an upper respiratory tract infection, but could be something more serious such as foreign material in the nose, a fungal infection, or related to a diseased tooth. After examination your vet will be able to tell you what the next step is. I hope he feels better soon.
Aug. 31, 2020
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Half Chihuahua
9 human years
12 found this helpful
12 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Sneezing A Lot With A Little Blood
My dog was fine but she started sneezing a lot out of no where. I noticed she started sneezing a little blood. She also wants to throw up.
July 22, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
12 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
She may have gotten something in her nose that was irritating. If that continues, it would be best to have her seen by a veterinarian, as she may need help. If it was a short term problem and seems to resolve, she may be okay, but it would be a good idea to keep a close eye on her for any bleeding or vomiting.
I hope that she is okay.
July 22, 2020
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Lab mix
Trouble
10 Years
7 found this helpful
7 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Bloody Nose
So my 10 year old baby girl trouble is a mixed mug and the best ever.
She started bleeding from one side of her nostril a few days ago and after freaking out trying to find out where the blood came from and inspecting her entire body ears, to paws I saw the tiniest speck on her nose and wiped it then she started sneezing like another woman said “as though a person is sobbing and trying to catch their breath at the same time” is the best description so I quickly looked up what it could be and how to stop it.... I put an ice cube on her snout and rubbed it back and forth not onto her nose and she kinda didn’t like it but let me repeatedly do this ever so often.... no blood no problem she was acting eating drinking and breathing fine, then the next evening she started again around 7:30pm I called my vet and they said to take her to an emergency vet I said I’d make an appointment for the next day didn’t want to spend a ton to find out she had just scratched her own nose..... I iced it as I had before and she was normal slept through the night and I took her in this morning after her normal breakfast doing her business fine etc and it had seemed to pass. At the vet I was informed they needed to do a blood panel and a full exam etc so I left her there expecting a call later on with update.....three hours later the blood test was perfect no issues, nothing found in exam and no temp etc so it was recommended that I do an X-ray which would be 500.00 needed stat 50.00 and general anesthesia to get a good X-ray 525.00 but still might not see anything so they would send it out to have a 3D drawing done 340.00 and then be referred to internal medicine....I opted to skip all that and go with internal medicine so I was prescribed a antihistamine to be givin everyday till gone, I was told she might not make it through being put on ga due to the blood in her snout and not having a clear breathing on one side I absolutely cannot risk paying to give her ga and her not coming back..... she is all normal except her nose is still bleeding slightly more than it ever had “ not pouring just a steady small stream she keeps licking her nose as to not make a mess” and pass at it now??? She is otherwise her normal self ??? So if anyone has any recommendations I will take them.... I spent 300.00 today on blood panel and 28.00 on antihistamine. With a we really don’t know what it is so you need to try these other things but be aware that that might not fix it and it might not tell us what it is exactly????
Please note she has never had any medical problems to date and is a happy good dog. All shots are up to date as well.
Aug. 27, 2018
7 Recommendations
There are a few causes for a bloody nose which may include blood disorders (but generally clear but wouldn’t cover clotting disorders), trauma, foreign objects, tumours, dental disorders among other causes; it can be difficult to narrow in on a cause and further testing including rhinoscopy may be more valuable than an x-ray. There is a Chinese herbal medicine called yunnan baiyao which is useful in these cases but still doesn’t tell us the underlying cause. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Aug. 27, 2018
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Catahoula mix
Oreo
3 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Excessive Sneezing
Sneezing Blood
Violent Sneezing
Our 3yo catahoula-lab rescue, Oreo, started a runny nose (left nostril only) w sneezing about 3-4 months ago. Xray showed nothing, blood work all good. He did full course of doxy, then a course of different antibiotic, then a 4-week course of anti-fungal, followed by a much stronger one that he is to be on for 90 days. The bloody sneezes started while he was on the first anti fungal med and were rare. As time goes on they are increasing and now he sneezes blood regularly. We are worried because he has had this for so long. He continues to eat well and loves his walks but he is definitely more lethargic in the house and often seems depressed. We're frustrated that we still don't know what it is and it definitely bothers him. Our other dog, his litter mate sister Ginger, doesn't have any of this.
