nosebleed is known as " epistaxis " and, in dogs, it can have different causes ranging from the most minor, such as an infection, to the most serious, such as poisoning or a coagulation problem. In this article on our site we are going to explain the causes of why our dog bleeds from the nose
We must say that, although blood usually causes a lot of alarm, in most cases epistaxis will be caused by easily treatable and mild conditions. For all other cases, our veterinary will be in charge of diagnosis and treatment.
Infections
Some infections that affect the nasal or even oral area can explain why a dog bleeds from the nose. It is possible that our dog bleeds through the nose and has trouble breathing, making noises when inhaling and exhaling Sometimes, we can also see that the dognosebleeds and cough
The inside of the nose is covered by a mucosa that is very irrigated with blood vessels, which is why its erosion, due to different factors such as chronic infections caused by bacteria or fungi, can cause bleeding.
Other times the infection is not in the nasal region, but in the mouth. A dental abcess, for example, can cause blood to appear from the nose, if this abscess breaks into the nasal cavity, it causes aoronasal fistula which will present with symptoms such as unilateral runny nose and sneezing, especially after the dog eats. These infections must be diagnosed and treated by our veterinarian.
Strange bodies
Another of the common causes that can explain why our dog bleeds from the nose is the presence of a foreign body in it. In these cases it is common to see that the dog bleeds from the nose when sneezing, since the main sign that some material is lodged inside the dog's nose our dog is having a sudden fit of sneezes. Foreign bodies such as spikes, seeds, leaves, bone fragments or wood chips can be found in the dog's nose.
Its presence irritates the mucosa and causes the dog to rub its nose with its paws or against any surface, in an attempt to get rid of the hassle. This action, the sneezing and the wounds that some of these foreign bodies can cause, are responsible for the nosebleeds that sometimes occur. If with the naked eye we are able to observe the object inside of the nostrils, we can try to remove it with tweezers. Otherwise, we must go to our veterinarian so that he can remove it, since an object lodged in the nostrils can cause problems such as infections.
If we observe any lump in the nose we should consult our veterinarian, as it could be a nasal polyp or tumor, conditions that can also be They can cause nosebleeds, in addition to obstructing, to a greater or lesser extent, the passage of air. tumors in the nasal cavity and sinuses are more common in older dogs. In addition to bleeding and noises due to the tamponade, we can observe a runny nose and, also, sneezing. The treatment of choice is usually surgery. Polyps, which are not cancer, can recur. The prognosis for tumors will depend on whether they are benign or malignant, an aspect that our veterinarian will determine with a biopsy.
Coagulopathies
Blood coagulation disorders can also explain why a dog bleeds from the nose. For coagulation to take place, a series of elements must be present in the blood. When any of them is missing, spontaneous bleeding can occur.
Sometimes this deficiency can be caused by poisoning. For example, some rodenticides prevent the dog's body from manufacturing vitamin K, an essential substance for proper coagulation. Its deficit leads to the dog experiencing nosebleeds, rectal bleeding, vomiting blood, bruising, etc. These cases are veterinary emergencies.
Sometimes these bleeding disorders run in families, such as von Willebrand disease. In this condition, which can affect both males and females, there is poor platelet function, which can manifest as nosebleeds, bleeding gums, or blood in stool and urine, although many times the hemorrhages are not noticeable and, furthermore, they decrease with age.
hemophilia also affects coagulation factors, but the disease is manifested only by males. There are other coagulation deficits but they are less common. Diagnoses of these conditions are made using specific blood tests. If significant bleeding occurs, blood transfusions will be required.
Finally, there is a bleeding disorder, not inherited but acquired, called Disseminated intravascular coagulation (CID) that appears in some situations, such as infections, heat stroke, shock, etc.and that manifests itself in the form of nose, mouth, gastrointestinal bleeding, etc., constituting an extremely serious disorder that usually causes the death of the dog.
