One of the common panic attacks of pet owners happens when blood is observed on the nose of the dog. This is a sudden occurrence, called acute epistaxis. There are many causes of epistaxis that’s why it is important for an owner update himself regarding his or her dog’s medical condition. It can be dangerous and it can be just a simple bleeding. First thing to do when you see blood on your dog’s muzzle – oozing or not, is to relax. Get a clean cotton or gauze then wipe the blood. Your panic can also cause panic in your dog and elevated blood pressure can contribute to further bleeding.
Do not give anything to the dog because as mentioned the culprits vary. You might give something that will only induce further bleeding. As an emergency cure, put ice cold pack on the muzzle and apply pressure. Do not leave the ice continuously placed. From time to time, remove it for a few seconds before placing it back. As you do this, observe the dog for 10-15 minutes. If the bleeding is still continuous, go to the vet. Actually, even if the bleeding has stopped and especially if it is recurring, a vet should see your dog. Epistaxis is caused by a sudden bursting of the capillaries lining the nasal tract. It is usually due to the sudden change of temperature or weather that causes the tension in the lining of the blood vessels. Other factors that can cause nose bleeding are ingestion of rodenticide, Von Willebrand’s disease (coagulating factor deficiency), hemophilia, liver damage, bone marrow disease, anaphylactic reactions to drugs, tick borne diseases such as Ehrlichiosis or Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and any tumor or fungal growth on the nasal passage.
Your veterinarian will run though some tests to determine the cause of the bleeding. He or she may conduct a physical and blood exam, coagulating factor tests, kidney and liver enzyme tests, and diagnostic tests for tick-borne diseases. If the epistaxis was prevented by the cold pack treatment, you can just observe your dog for 24 hours for any recurrence before seeking medical help.
