Dog Nosebleeding Emergency Treatment

Nose bleeding or Epistaxis happens not only to humans but to animals as well. In humans, nose bleeding is seldom treated as a serious condition. Nose bleeding in humans is usually caused by nose picking or by indoor heat during the winter months. The bleeding will naturally stop after a while even if treatment is not administered. Although some causes of nose bleeding in dogs are not serious, others can be life threatening concerns. This condition is not an illness but a symptom of an underlying health concern.

Dogs are wonderful pets to have around. People have formed a strong bond with these affectionate and loyal four legged friends. As such, an owner would panic upon seeing an injured pet. What first aid treatments can you do to help a pet that is bleeding from the nostrils?

Nose bleeding can happen to all dogs but this health concern usually occurs more often in dolichocephalic breed or in dogs with long noses. The bleeding is unilateral when it occurs only in one nostril and bilateral if blood will pour out from both nostrils. Some dogs would sneeze and have blood in the nasal discharge while others would bleed profusely.

Various factors can cause a dog to nose bleed. The condition can be caused by a foreign object in the nostrils that has managed to puncture a blood vessel. Fighting with others dogs, an accident being swiped by a speeding car or falling from heights are some of the scenarios where the dog's nostrils can suffer from trauma so that the pet will nose bleed. A dog that has fallen from heights or was hit by a car can have more serious injuries. Nose bleeding is one of the signs of internal bleeding. The pet has to be taken to a veterinary facility at once.

First aid methods can resolve minor cases of nose bleeding. The dog owner has to keep calm because the pet can pick up the master's emotions. The dog must be prevented from getting excited as the condition raises the dog's blood pressure thereby making it difficult to control the nasal bleeding. As the reason for the dog's nose bleeding is not yet verified, the usual first aid for bleeding of putting direct pressure to the affected body part may not be a good idea. Apply a cold compress or an ice pack to the bridge of the nose. Cold constricts the blood vessels thereby slowing blood flow. First aid treatment may have been effective in controlling the bleeding but the dog still needs medical attention.