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.
Causes of Nose Bleed in Dogs
There can be numerous probable causes for epistaxis, which must rule out to ensure the health of your dog:
Help! My Dog’s Nose Is Actively Bleeding!
If your dog is actively suffering from a nose bleed, try to keep them as calm as possible. Any extra excitement will elevate your dog’s blood pressure and cause an increase in bleeding. If your dog will allow it, place an ice pack wrapped in a dish towel or several paper towels over the bridge of your dog’s nose. If your dog has a short snout (i.e. pugs, bulldogs, boxers, etc.) take care not to completely cover the nostrils that your dog may be able to breathe around the ice pack. The cold of the ice will work to constrict the blood vessels in the nasal passages and may work to stem the flow of blood.
Once the bleeding has stopped, call and make an appointment to have your vet check your dog over. If you feel there is a chance your dog could have gotten into any medications, such as human NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve), or if your fear they may have gotten into rat poison, take them to the vet immediately. Even if you don’t think they could have gotten into rat poison directly, if they got to an animal that passed from rat poison ingestion, your dog will still be at risk for toxicity from the poison.
Nose Bleeds in Dogs | Epistaxis
Nosebleeds can be an extremely worrisome event for dog owners in Highland. Especially if someone has never seen a dog’s nose bleed before. You might rush over with tissues and fuss over your dog, while they try to scurry away because they don’t know what’s happening. Anxiety fills the room as you both panic over a minor nosebleed.
Though any signs of pain, including blood, is alarming, it is more than likely an issue that is easily fixed. And if not, the following information will guide you through it.
