A dog nose bleed can be upsetting (and messy). To help you feel prepared should your dog’s nose ever start bleeding unexpectedly, integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby explains how to stop a nose bleed at home and discusses 13 causes of dog nose bleeds.
Nose bleeds in people can be common occurrences. If you’ve ever accidentally been hit in the nose, you may have experienced a nose bleed. And some people may develop them in the wintertime due to the presence of dry air. But what does it mean when your dog has a nose bleed? And how do you stop a dog nose bleed?
What is a dog nose bleed?
As the name would indicate, a nose bleed involves blood or bloody nasal discharge coming from your dog’s nose. The technical term for a nose bleed is “epistaxis.” Depending on the underlying cause, the blood can come out of one or both nostrils. The source of the blood may be the nostrils, nasal passages, or nasopharynx (back of the throat adjacent to the nasal passages).
Nose bleeds can be very mild and short-lived, or they can be intense and result in severe blood loss. Some nose bleeds will not be very noticeable until the dog sneezes and little droplets of blood come out of his or her nostrils. Other times the blood may be steadily pouring out onto the floor.
How do you treat a dog’s nose bleed at home?
If you notice your dog is having a nose bleed, the first question on your mind is probably how to make it stop. You might not have to worry about doing much if there is only a drop or two of blood. But if there is more blood, follow these steps to help stop a dog’s nose from bleeding:
1. Remain calm
Try to bring your furry friend away from any noisy, busy areas. Look for somewhere quiet, especially if you’re at home. Stress and excitement can raise your dog’s blood pressure and make him or her bleed more.
2. Apply an ice pack to the bridge of the nose
Grab an ice pack (or a Ziploc bag filled with ice will do in a pinch), wrap it in paper towels or a washcloth and then gently apply it to the bridge of your pup’s nose. The cold will slow the bleeding by constricting local blood vessels.
Word of warning—if you have a short-nosed dog, ensure that you are not making it hard for your dog to breathe by obstructing the nostrils with the ice pack.
3. Avoid sticking anything in your dog’s nose
Don’t stick anything up your dog’s nose to stop the bleeding. I know it might be tempting because people do it for their nose bleeds. But stuffing gauze, tissues, etc. up a dog’s nose is irritating and may make him or her sneeze, which can worsen the bleeding.
4. Follow up with your vet
If your dog is bleeding heavily, the bleeding lasts longer than a few minutes without showing signs of stopping, or your dog is showing any other signs of illness or injury, your may need to make an emergency vet visit to get the bleeding under control and find and treat the underlying cause. Even if you get the bleeding to stop and your dog seems fine, it is usually still a good idea to check in with your vet during his or her regular business hours. That way your vet can run any needed diagnostic to help get to the bottom of why your dog had a bloody nose.
What can cause nose bleeds in dogs?
There are times when the cause for a dog’s nose bleed can be very obvious and times when it is not. If your pup has a nose bleed after he or she went excitedly careening across the room and ran face-first into the wall or doorframe, you can probably put two and two together. However, there are other situations where the cause may not be so clear. That is when it will be up to your veterinarian to help you look for it. Some of the causes of a nose bleed in dogs include:
#1: Trauma
We might as well start with trauma because, according to a 2007 study in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA), trauma and nasal tumors are the top two causes of nose bleeds in dogs.
Sometimes trauma can be as simple as your excitable canine companion not being able to “hit the brakes” fast enough when doing zoomies in the house or not noticing that the clear sliding glass door was closed and hitting his or her head. Examples of more intense trauma include falling from great heights or being hit by a car. If the nose was traumatized in these examples, a nose bleed is very likely to occur.
#2: Nasal tumors or cancer
The other top cause of epistaxis in the 2007 JAVMA article was nasal tumors. Nasal adenocarcinoma, a locally aggressive kind of cancer, is the most common type of nasal tumor. It can affect one or both sides of the nose.
This means a dog nose bleed on one side may be more indicative of a local tumor (or other local issue) instead of other body-wide causes of nose bleeds that would affect both sides.
There are also many different non-nasal cancers that can increase the risk of epistaxis. These include:
- Lymphoma in dogs
- Hemangiosarcoma in dogs
- Multiple myeloma
- Leukemia
#3: Medications and drug reactions
The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may increase the risk of nose bleeds because they can inactivate blood clotting factors. This makes it easier for bleeding to occur from the delicate mucous membranes within the nose. There are several different NSAIDs that are made specifically for dogs (e.g., firocoxib, carprofen). Thankfully, nose bleeds tend to be a rare side effect of these drugs.
Adverse reactions to other medications are also rare but possible. Certain hormone therapies and chemotherapeutic drugs have been known to cause nose bleeds. A specific antibiotic drug class known as the sulfonamides (aka sulfa drugs) can also result in epistaxis.
#4: Toxin exposure
There are any number of toxic chemicals that have been known to affect an animal’s blood clotting abilities. This in turn could lead to nose bleeds as well as bleeding from other locations in the body.
Rat poison (i.e. rodenticide) works by decreasing a rodent’s ability to clot blood, leading to fatal internal hemorrhaging. Unfortunately, many commercially available rodenticides can cause the same terrible death in dogs and cats. It is important to keep these poisons far out of reach of your dog.
#5: Foreign bodies
It is possible for a foreign object to find its way up your pup’s nose. In the Western United States, spiky plant material known as grass awns can be a big problem. Some examples of grass awns include foxtails and cheatgrass. These sharp, stiff pieces of grass are barbed in such a way that pulling them out of a dog’s nasal passages can be extremely painful. It is no wonder they can irritate the tissue and cause nose bleeds.
#6: Dental disease
In the average dog skull, there is a thin plate of bone that separates the nasal cavity from the oral cavity below. When periodontal disease (i.e. dental disease in dogs) is present, it can lead to significant bone infection or even bone loss beneath the surface of the gums.
Thus, dental disease affecting the teeth in the upper portions of the mouth can lead to problems within the nasal cavity. One such example is an oronasal fistula, a tiny open communication between the nasal cavity and the oral cavity. This communication can result in infection and nose bleeds.
#7: Fungal infections
While transmission of certain bacterial and viral infections through nasal inhalation of particles is possible, the inhalation of fungal spores tends to be much more devastating. Fungal infections such as Aspergillus fumigatus, Blastomyces dermatitidis, and certain Penicillium species can invade the nasal cavity as well as other parts of the upper and lower respiratory tracts.
The end results of these fungal infections are pneumonia-like symptoms, nose bleeds, and various other clinical signs. It can take months for a dog to undergo treatment, and some infections may be lifelong.
#8: Tick-borne illnesses
Tick-borne diseases in dogs such as Ehrlichia canis and Babesia gibsoni can cause several clinical symptoms such as fever, lameness, and lethargy. Because these types of infections can affect a dog’s blood-clotting abilities, tick-borne diseases can also cause nose bleeds.
#9: Autoimmune diseases
If a dog has an autoimmune disorder, it means that the immune system is mounting an inappropriate response to the dog’s own cells. In other words, immune system complexes that would normally attack foreign invaders are attacking normal parts of the dog’s body instead.
Patients with immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (ITP) suffer from low platelet counts. This is because the immune system attacks and destroys platelets, a type of cell that helps to form blood clots. Without enough platelets to help the blood clot, nose bleeds are possible.
#10: Bone marrow disorders
Your dog’s bones do a lot more than just form his or her skeleton. In the center of the bones, there is a spongy, vascular tissue called bone marrow. Among other things, bone marrow is responsible for the creation of platelets. It houses large precursor cells called a megakaryocytes, which eventually break down to create hundreds of little platelets.
Certain diseases and drugs that inhibit or suppress the bone marrow can lead to overall decreased platelet production, thus increasing the risk of epistaxis.
#11: Hyperviscosity syndrome
Hyperviscosity syndrome occurs when there are very high levels of protein in a dog’s blood. It is difficult to know the true reason this happens. But certain diseases like amyloidosis (i.e. a condition where the body deposits a protein called amyloid in various locations) and monoclonal gammopathies (i.e. a condition where the body makes too much of one type of immune system protein called immunoglobulins) are thought to be factors.
When there is too much protein in the blood, there isn’t enough room for the fluid component (i.e. plasma) so the blood becomes very thick or viscous. The increased pressure from this thicker fluid results in blood vessels rupturing, which leads to blood loss. Nose bleeds are one way the body may lose blood.
#12: Blood clotting disorders
Blood clotting is controlled by the interplay of numerous proteins known as coagulation factors. If one of those factors is deficient, it can cause a bleeding disorder.
Various inherited conditions can negatively impact clotting ability. For example, hemophilia A results in a deficiency of coagulation factor VIII. This causes anything from a mild nose bleeds to extreme blood loss. As another example, Doberman Pinschers are at an increased risk of inheriting von Willebrand disease. This condition causes platelets to lose the protein that makes them “sticky” enough to form blood clots. Affected dogs are at a higher risk of abnormal bleeding.
Clotting issues can also be acquired. When there is serious damage to the internal organs—due to things like infection, inflammation, or heat stroke in dogs—the body can enter a state called disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). In DIC, the clotting system, which normally regulates how clots form and break down, goes haywire. Thus, a dog with DIC might suffer from clots in all the wrong places or bleeding from anywhere, especially the nose.
#13: Liver failure or kidney failure
When important internal organs like the liver and kidneys can no longer function properly, there can be problems that lead to bleeding. The liver creates the majority of the coagulation factors, so understandably, liver disease in dogs can lead to decreased coagulation factor production. Without coagulation factors, blood cannot clot and the dog is prone to spontaneous bleeding like nose bleeds.
Chronic kidney failure in dogs may lead to high blood pressure (i.e. hypertension in dogs). The increased pressure in the vessels may make the capillaries more fragile and therefore, prone to rupturing. This can cause bleeding in various locations, including the nose.
What other symptoms go along with a nose bleed?
As you can see from this list, there are many different reasons a dog may get a bloody nose. Sometimes you might only see the bloody nasal discharge. Other times there are additional clinical signs such as:
- A firm swelling that appears over the bridge of the nose or next to the eyes, eye discharge or a protruding third eyelid, and/or more frequent sneezing in dogs with a nasal tumor.
- Pale gums, black/tarry stools, unexplained bruising under the skin, difficult or heavy breathing, dog is breathing fast, and/or becoming a pot-bellied dog if there are issues with clotting factors or platelet numbers.
- Sudden onset sneezing and pawing at the nose in dogs who have a nasal foreign body.
- Bad breath, old dog losing teeth, dog tooth abscesses and/or oral pain if the dog has dental disease.
- Increased thirst in dogs, increased urination, vomiting, and/or weight loss in a dog with kidney disease.
If your dog is having nose bleeds, please also report any other symptoms to your vet. That will make it easier for your vet to get to the bottom of why the nose bleeds are happening.
What diagnostics might the vet run?
In addition to gathering your dog’s history (including travel history, symptoms, etc.) and doing a complete physical exam, your vet may suggest several other tests. Often, he or she will start with some blood tests. This may include a complete blood count (CBC) and blood chemistry profile. These tests are a useful way to evaluate red blood cell and platelet numbers, measure proteins and globulins (for hyperviscosity syndrome), and look at liver and kidney enzyme levels. Urine testing is also a part of this minimum database of information.
Additionally, the vet may decide to run tick titers to look for the presence of tick-borne illnesses or coagulation tests to check for blood clotting issues or DIC. The vet might also suggest basic imaging like X-rays and ultrasound to look for evidence of cancer, fungal infections, and internal bleeding.
If the vet suspects a nasal tumor, he or she will probably recommend advanced imaging such as a CT and MRI. These modalities are better at detecting nasal tumors than X-rays alone. The vet also may suggest a thorough oral exam under general anesthesia (including dental X-rays) if he or she thinks dental disease may be contributing to the nose bleeds.
Some dogs will end up needing a rhinoscopy to figure out why they are having nose bleeds. Rhinoscopy is a procedure where the veterinarian inserts a special scope into the nasal cavity to look for signs of trauma, tumors, fungal infections, or foreign bodies. In some cases, the vet may decide to take biopsy samples during the rhinoscopy. However, you should be aware that local inflammation and the tendency for nasal tissue to bleed easily can make it hard to get good samples.
What is the treatment for nose bleeds?
Once your vet reaches a diagnosis, he or she will work with you to come up with a treatment plan. The vet will need to address issues like infections, inflammatory conditions, and organ damage with additional therapy. If the epistaxis resulted from the use of certain medications, the vet may advise you to stop giving those medications.
A dog with a nasal foreign body requires surgical removal of the offending object before it causes further damage. If there is a nasal tumor, the vet may recommend referral to a board-certified oncologist for surgery and/or radiation.
Your veterinarian may also recommend a Chinese herbal supplement called Yunnan Baiyao for dogs if your dog suffers from chronic nose bleeds. Yunnan Baiyao seems to have almost magical clotting properties.
What is the outlook for dogs with nose bleeds?
As you can imagine, the prognosis varies depending on why the dog is having nose bleeds. Most dogs with minor nose bleeds due to trauma or a mild infection have a very good prognosis. However, chronic illnesses like liver failure and kidney failure will have guarded to poor prognoses. Locally aggressive nasal cancers also carry a poor to grave prognosis, especially if left untreated.
Don’t let nose bleeds get you down
I know it can be alarming to see your dog’s nose suddenly dripping blood or to have him or her sneezing blood. But if your dog starts to have a nose bleed, remember to remain calm, apply ice to the bridge of the nose, and then get in contact with your vet.
There are a wide range of reasons for a nose bleed, and some are worse than others. Regardless of what the cause may be, work closely with your veterinarian and follow his or her advice. Together you can hopefully reduce or maybe even eliminate your dog’s nose bleeds. That way you and your dog can keep enjoying life together without nose bleeds getting in the way.
Has your dog ever had a nose bleed?
Please share your experience below.
Our almost 15 year old labradoodle has started having severe nose bleeds. He has numerous health issues including laryngeal paralysis and CHF. For several years he has had a very crusty nose, with one side of it staying raw. A couple months ago, he started having nosebleeds where the blood was spraying out from his nose (not dripping, but spraying). We took him to the vet and she treated him for Lupus. We are already paying nearly $200 per month for his heart and osteoarthritis meds and the Lupus med is an additional $200. Paying $400 per month as you can imagine is a lot for most people to pay. He also hates the pill and stopped eating when we first gave it to him. We stopped halfway through the first month after he quit eating although his nose looked much better, even after only a couple weeks of meds. Now the nosebleeds have started again and not only does it spray out his nose, but now it’s also dripping. They are getting harder to stop and as you can imagine it’s a huge mess. Is there anything we can do other than expensive meds? (He can’t take prednisone due to his heart). He now runs from us when we try to get to him during the nose bleeds and we are cleaning up blood dripped all throughout our house. The nosebleeds normally happen after he eats, but we are scared it’s going to happen when we aren’t here to stop it. Please help!
Hi Krissi,
I am sorry your boy has been through so much over the past few months. While this increased bleeding from his nose could definitely be due to a progression of the lupus, it also makes me worry about a nasal tumor. Here is a link to another article with more information and great comments from other readers: Nasal Tumors in Dogs: A Dog Parent’s Guide
It might be a good idea to pursue some x-rays to rule out this possible diagnosis. In the meantime, I highly recommend you talk to your vet about the herbal supplement Yunnan Baiyao. It has proven to be extremely effective for dogs with other bleeding disorders. Also, as you battle all of these conditions at once, I encourage you to also monitor your boy’s quality of life. At some point it may be time to think about palliative care and focus on comfort. Praying for clarity and strength as you navigate this difficult path. Bless you all. ♥
Hi there,
We had a 11 year old Japanese spitz that was looked after very carefully. Two nights ago there some spotting of blood on it’s bed. We didn’t see any visible blood anywhere in the morning on its coat. Then the next night about 2 hours after her dinner, she started spraying blood from her nose, one side and we rushed her to the emergency. She stayed over night on sedatives and was on the drip. The vet explained her blood palettes were too low and her blood levels were getting lower. They still did not know the fause. We proceeded to leave the dog overnight again. By morning we received the call our dog had passed in the morning and we still don’t know what caused all of this. In the early morning she was given a blood transfusion but then it became to the point where there’s too much blood and she’s vomiting blood and there’s no clotting. Blood got into her lungs etc and reached a point where she just passed. Her symptoms became critical so quickly and we still don’t know why. We take very good care of her, she has home cooked meals every night and walks every day and has had her vaccinations and tick medicines. I saw some stuff online about poisoning etc they mention rat poisoning. We just have a little bit of chemicals for the garden weeds etc we sprayed a few days back. If you have any possible answers for this sudden detoriaton in health or experience, thank you
Dear William,
My heart goes out to you on the sudden loss of your sweet pup. There are a variety of causes of low platelets, so it is hard for me to know which one could have been the culprit for your dog. Unfortunately, without sufficient platelets, the dog can’t clot their blood and may suffer from nose bleeds, GI bleeds, and bleeding in other locations—all the things that happened with your dog. One of the big causes of low platelets that comes to mind is immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (ITP). It is a condition where the immune system attacks and destroys the platelets, and it can rapidly become life-threatening in some cases.
It sounds like you took excellent care of her and she was a very lucky girl to have a family like you. With how quickly she deteriorated, I don’t think there was any way you could have seen this coming or changed the outcome. Sending much love as you mourn and search for answers. ❤️
Sometimes more information can help people find peace, so if you are interested in reading more about the causes of low platelets or ITP, I’ve attached the relevant articles below.
1. Low Platelets in Dogs: Thrombocytopenia
2. ITP in Dogs: Through the Eyes of a Veterinarian and Dog Mom
Hi Julie,
ITP describes exactly what she had
In the closing stages to her death. But we are unsure if ITP is natural due to age or is it due to external factors such as poisoning etc that could lead to ITP? Like what would trigger ITP?
Thanks.
Hi Will,
Those are good questions. Old age itself doesn’t necessarily cause ITP, but some conditions like cancers that are more common as dogs age can trigger ITP. Additionally, a variety of infections (tick-borne diseases, viral infections, bacterial infections, etc.), some medications (sulfa drugs, cephalosporin antibiotics, some chemotherapeutics, etc.), bee stings, or even the presence of another auto-immune condition can cause ITP. There aren’t any poisons I’m aware of that are linked to ITP, but I’m not a toxicologist so there could be one I don’t know about. Sometimes, ITP can also be idiopathic, meaning no cause is found. It can be very challenging to find the trigger in some cases, and may require an extensive medical work up. I know that you are searching for answers, and I wish that I could give them to you, but unfortunately, it is likely that we may never know for sure what caused your pup to develop such severe ITP. What I do know though is that she was well loved and had a wonderful life with you. Thinking about you in this difficult time.
Hi Julie, I appreciate your comments. Would it be possible if I can send you her Lab report PDF via your email if u have one? It’s very short just 2 pages about describing what happened. I was hoping maybe it would narrow the cause down since I’m not a Vet and maybe give you a clearer idea of what happened. I would be very thankful.
Hi Will,
I really wish I could offer more insight and I understand how much you would like a definitive answer. Unfortunately, even if I had the blood work I wouldn’t be able to tell if this was ITP for sure and wouldn’t know what the initial trigger was. I’m so sorry again for your loss and all the heartbreak her passing has caused. She was clearly a special and well-loved member of the family, and I know her loss has left a hole in your hearts and home.
I wanted to share a few of our pet loss articles and resources with you too so that they can hopefully provide some comfort:
1) Pet Loss Support: Groups & Resources for Comfort
2) Grieving the Loss of a Dog After Euthanasia (& Finding Peace)
3)Dog Memorial Ideas: 10 Ways to Honor Your Dog’s Legacy
My GSD has had those very same nose bleeds. He was diagnosed with Discoid Lupis. We give him Niacinamide 2 times a day. It has helped tremendously. The vet started with Niacinamide and Doxycycline and once we were clear, just the Niacinamide. Hope that helps. We use organic corn starch to stop the bleed.
How to use organic corned starch?
Hi,
Our 11 year lab started sneezing and reverse sneezing after taking him on a trip to NY several months ago. A little blood came out of his nose a couple of days into the sneezing and he was lethargic. The vet treated him with antibiotics and this cleared up the sneezing and bleeding, and his energy returned.
A few months later, the bleeding started again. The vet took an X-ray and didn’t see anything. She also did bloodwork and all was normal. She prescribed an antibiotic again and it cleared things up again and his energy returned.
A few days ago, the bleeding and lethargy resumed. I took him to the vet and the antibiotics have worked again. Have you heard of this situation before?
Hi Kate,
This is very strange! I have not heard of a case exactly like this, but I am sure there are others out there. It makes me wonder if there is a small polyp present that is causing irritation and secondary bacterial infections or if there is a fungal component to these issues. You may want to talk to a specialist and see if they have any additional recommendations for testing and treatment. Hoping you can get a diagnosis and find a way to prevent this from happening again in the future. Best wishes to you and your senior Lab and thanks for sharing!
hi doctor, my 12 year old dog has had nose bleed after sneezing from right nose since aug, the frequency is only once a month and recently it happened again after 10 days.
i have also noticed a slight raised bump in between the eyes located on the right nose.
we have done blood tests ( initially she had tick disease but after medication is ok), x ray (no detection of anything) , dental cleaning (no issues) , nose check nasal planum (no masses or abnormalities)
her appetite is still good, energy level okay.
what do you recommend we do when i bring her to vet next? have we eliminated all options before going for ct scan
Hi Jamie,
I am sorry you are facing this unknown issue with your senior girl. It does sound like you have done everything you can without pursuing a visit with a specialist. Everything you describe is consistent with a nasal tumor. At this point you have to decide if you need a definitive diagnosis or if you would rather focus on comfort care and treat symptoms. Here is a link to another article with more information: Nasal Tumors in Dogs: A Dog Parent’s Guide
Hoping you can get the answers you need to make the best choice for everyone involved. Praying for a clear path forward. Bless you and your sweet girl.
our 16yo yorkie who can’t see or hear very well at all just started barely sneezing brownish/redish pin hole spots from his nose. Has had little labored breathing for some time, but all checkups are good,.
He struggles to walk at times and falls on his back legs.
I had him in for a sickly well check a couple months ago and his bloodwork and other testing was all good.
Is this just old age? he can’t go up and down stairs at all so he is rarely in the grass.
We lost our 5yo Weimeraner this last Oct 2023 from IVDD. We did the surgery March of 2023 went through the therapy and she did well. In Oct she lost all leg use and the vet said its progressing. Our Yorkie took a quick turn downwards.
The vet also said we would know when it’s “time”. I’m reluctant to spends thousands of dollars knowing his life quality is pretty tough. That sounds harsh maybe, but we love our dogs dearly and don’t want to see them suffer either,
Thoughts?
Hi Kristi,
I understand your concern for your senior pup with all these worrisome symptoms he is displaying. Without personally examining him it is hard to offer specific advice. Mobility issues (especially in the rear legs) can be due to arthritis changes that are commonly seen with old age. There are MANY different medications, supplements, and therapies that can help reduce inflammation and pain to offer more comfort and relief. Panting or an increased respiratory rate can be a sign of pain but if your boy is truly having trouble breathing, this is not something I would consider a normal age-related change. Also, I am very concerned about the bloody nasal discharge you are seeing. My suspicion is there could be a nasal tumor, and cancer of this type can definitely cause breathing problems. Here is a link to another article with more information: Nasal Tumors in Dogs: A Dog Parent’s Guide
It is ok to forgo expensive testing and treatments as long as you pursue comfort care and ensure your boy is not suffering. Please reach out to your vet and have an honest discussion about your worries and get their opinion on palliative/hospice care. Also, it is ok to say goodbye before all joy is lost and the only thing that remains is pain. Sometimes letting go is the most loving option. Praying for your strength and clarity as you navigate this difficult path. Bless you and your sweet boy.
I have taken my dog to the Vet done CT, tested for everything and they did not find anything
She is healthy and is acting normal but had a bloody nostril on the right side for three days now a continued drip. Vet bills way over the top right now but zero answers. I feel helpless
Dear George,
I am so sorry you are in this difficult situation with your pup. I can only imagine how frustrating it must be to still have more questions than answers despite all the testing that has been done. Praying for clarity as you navigate this unknown path. Wishing you and your girl all the best.
Hi George,
My dog starting experiencing a bloody nose but is otherwise acting completely normal as well. We’re waiting to get in for a CT scan but curious if anything been determined for your case? My worst fear is looming but the unknown seems equally troubling.
Thank you,
Nicole
Hi Nicole,
I am sorry your pup is facing this unknown future. Praying for favorable results and a clear path forward. ♥
Can my lab bled out by having a nose bleed in only one nostril?
Hi Mac,
Any bleeding can be serious if a dog’s clotting factors are not functioning properly. Typically, a nosebleed is not life threatening, but I can’t guarantee it isn’t a possibility with extreme circumstances. If your dog is having episodes of bleeding, please contact your vet right away.
Hi,
I have a 10 week old border collie pup that seems to be getting very small nose bleeds when he’s exercising a lot such as walks or when he gets the zoomies. It’s only about a drop of blood mixed in the mucous and always comes from the left side. He has no other effects though.
Thanks for any help!
Hi Amanda,
I am sorry your puppy is experiencing these strange nose bleeding episodes. Your best bet is to schedule an appointment with your vet and allow them to investigate. They may need to take some x-rays or run lab work to rule out the most common causes. Hoping you can get answers quickly and wishing you all the best. Give your sweet pup a hug for me!
Hi, two days ago my dog started having nose bleeds from his right side, roughly every few hours. We took him to the vet and they couldn’t find anything obviously wrong, blood pressure, lungs, teeth…all came out fine. They gave us some medicine to help his blood clot faster and an antibiotic to be safe if it’s an infection.
He now hasn’t had a bleed for a whole day. With his last one being a day after we started him on the medications.
We’re hoping and assuming it was just a light infection or injury that caused it, but there is always the fear of it being a tumor or something more serious.
What we’re mainly wondering , is whether these medications would completely stop the bleeds and just hide the symptoms. We are worried that once the week of medication runs out the bleeding will start again just as we are feeling safe again, or if once stopped generally it stays fine.
Thanks 🙂
Hi Taylor,
I understand your concern for your pup with these worrisome bleeding issues he experienced. I wish there was some way to know what will happen once the medications are discontinued, but unfortunately anything is possible. I too hope that this is all in the past and there won’t be any future episodes of bleeding. If symptoms return, it may be time to consider more in-depth testing (x-rays, lab work, etc.) or even a referral to a specialist. Praying for answers and a clear path forward. Best wishes!