Why is My Dog's Nose Bleeding?
- Dr. Thea Madill
- Apr 30
- 6 min read
If your dog is bleeding from the nose (epistaxis), it’s normal to worry. Given nosebleeds are somewhat uncommon in dogs, many pet owners find this symptom concerning as well alarming, and want to do something to treat it right away.
In the article below, you will find a list of common causes of nosebleeds in dogs, how to treat a dog’s nosebleed, and when to take your dog to the emergency vet for a nosebleed. You can use this guide to narrow down the possibilities for your pet and decide when it might be time to talk to your vet for more information. Read on to find out more.
What Causes Nosebleeds in Dogs?
Listed below are the 7 main reasons that cause a dog's nose to bleed:
1. Trauma can cause nosebleed in dogs
Trauma is one of the most common causes of nosebleed in dogs. Trauma may include any type of injury to the nose or snout, and even a mild injury can sometimes cause a nosebleed that lasts for a while. Injuries to the bones of the snout, the mucous membranes (inside) of the nose, or the exterior of the nose all have potential to cause a nosebleed.
In mild to moderate cases of trauma, your pet’s injury and nosebleed will often clear up on its own. However, in moderate to severe cases, you may need to take your pet to the vet or emergency vet to receive nosebleed treatment for dogs.
2. A tumor can present as a nosebleed in dogs
Cancerous (benign or malignant) nasal tumors, can develop in the nasal cavity or sinuses and subsequently cause dog nasal problems and nosebleeds in dogs. Dogs that experience nosebleeds secondary to a tumor in the nose tend to be older in age, and will generally experience nosebleeds with increasing frequency as the tumor grows larger in size. If your dog is diagnosed with a cancerous tumor in or around the nose, you can probably safely assume his or her nosebleeds are caused by this problem.
Many times, nosebleeds are a common occurrence with nasal cancers. However, if your dog is experiencing new or worsening nosebleeds, or if any other symptoms are observed, such as the ones listed below, evaluation by a veterinarian is warranted:
Trouble breathing
Coughing
Vomiting/Diarrhea
Inappetence (loss of appetite)
3. A dog's nosebleed may be due to oral diseases
Certain types of dental diseases can lead to nosebleeds in dogs as well. Since a dog’s nose is in close proximity to the mouth, problems that affect the mouth can often affect the nose, too. Some common issues nosebleeds can arise from:
injuries to the mouth or gums
damage to the teeth
poor oral hygiene
severe dental infections
If your dog’s problem is a sudden, acute one, you may need to see a vet or emergency vet for treatment. Otherwise, if your dog is already receiving treatment or undergoing management for their oral health issues, you may not have to go to the vet every time a nosebleed occurs.
4. High blood pressure can cause dog's nose to bleed
Hypertension (high blood pressure) can sometimes contribute to nosebleeds in dogs. While hypertension is much less common than other reasons listed as a sole cause of nosebleeds in dogs, it can still lead to and/or exacerbate nosebleeds caused by other conditions. Given such, assessment of blood pressure is often only part of the diagnostic work-up for nosebleeds in dogs, and evaluating for other conditions by means of bloodwork and diagnostic imaging tests is imperative in order to make the correct diagnosis, and best treatment plan for your pet.
Hypertension is often silent, meaning there are few clinical signs pets display at home that may lead an owner to suspect their pet has hypertension. However, if you suspect your dog may have high blood pressure, talk to your vet about it so they can make a formal diagnosis. From there, your vet can help you select the best treatment or management options for your dog and will frequently recommend putting your pet on blood pressure medication(s), too. It is important to follow your vet’s guidance when managing blood pressure issues in your dog, as rechecking blood pressure values periodically as time progresses with or without the initiation of blood pressure medications is essential.
5. Dog nosebleed may be a bleeding disorder
Dogs affected by conditions that lead to low blood cell counts such as anemia (low red blood cell counts) or thrombocytopenia (low platelet counts) can experience nosebleeds as well. In addition to such, dogs can also suffer from diseases that affect their blood's ability to coagulate (clot), and even with normal blood cell counts, can still experience blood loss such as that from a nosebleed. Nosebleeds can sometimes be the first symptom we observe with a bleeding disorder. Thrombocytopenia, anemia and/or impaired blood coagulation can be the result of a primary disorder of the body such as an autoimmune condition or genetic disease, or occur secondary to something else, like tick-borne infections, rodenticide ingestion or certain medications to name a few.
Symptoms of blood disorders can present suddenly like with a nosebleed, or slowly over time and be more vague or non-specific. If you suspect your dog may have a blood disorder, it is important to talk to your vet. Pursuing yearly physical exams and bloodwork testing is important so that your vet can monitor for changes in your pet’s blood values as they age. The potential for dogs to develop bleeding disorders at any stage in their life also stresses the importance of providing year-round prescription parasite prevention to your dog and opting to pursue bloodwork testing prior to any surgical event, where blood loss can be expected.
6. Foreign body can make a dog's nose bleed
A foreign body lodged within a dog’s nose will, in many instances, lead them to experience nosebleeds. Dogs are prone to accidentally sniffing foreign bodies up into their noses, and this can happen with pieces of food, plant matter, parts of chewed toys, and other substances your dog may encounter, too.
If your dog inhales a foreign body into his or her nose, it is important to remove the object right away. A foreign body in the nose has the potential to cause airway obstruction and could be further inhaled into the respiratory or gastrointestinal tract, leading to serious complications and even the risk of death. If you cannot safely remove the object yourself, promptly bring your dog to the nearest emergency vet for assistance.
7. Sinus infection & allergies causing nosebleed in dogs
Finally, allergies and sinus infections can cause blood coming from your dog’s nose. Infections, whether bacterial or fungal can cause inflammation of the blood vessels (vasculitis). Additionally, severe allergies cause inflammation of the nasal passages (rhinitis) and inflammation of the sinuses (sinusitis). Managing your pet’s allergy protocol with your vet can help prevent nosebleeds in dogs as they are often uncommon unless the allergies have been long-term and untreated.
Symptoms to Watch for with Dog Nosebleeds
Excessive or prolonged bleeding. A nosebleed in dogs can range from a trickle of blood to a heavier flow. Any bleeding warrants medical care, but heavy or prolonged bleeding needs immediate attention.
Nasal Discharge in dogs (clear, bloody, or thick mucus). You may notice your dog is pawing at their nose, a foul odor may accompany the discharge or trace amounts of blood or pus in the discharge. Discharge can also take place when a foreign object is in the nasal cavity.
Lethargy. If your dog seems more tired or less alert than usual and it is accompanied by a nosebleed, this could point to underlying causes such as infection, blood disorders, or a tumor.
Swelling. Any swelling around the nose or face occurring with nosebleed can point to a growth or possible tumor.
Difficulty breathing. Any gasping or difficulty breathing is an emergency and it is essential to get immediate medical attention.
What To Do if Your Dog’s Nose is Bleeding?
Apply dog nosebleed first aid.
Try to Stay Calm. Anxiety can cause your dog to have higher blood pressure, leading to more bleeding. Remaining calm helps your dog remain calm too and that can reduce bleeding.
Ice pack. Cold constricts the blood vessels. Place an ice pack at the bridge of your dog’s nose.
Avoid Intervention. Inserting any material to stop the bleeding into your dog’s nose can cause more harm. Giving your dog NSAIDS can interfere with blood clotting. It’s safest to wait for the vet.
Get to VEG. Small or large, any amount of blood is reason to have your pet reviewed by a medical professional.
Contact VEG Animal Clinic if Your Dog Has a Nosebleed
This list does not include all possible causes of nosebleed in dogs. If the nosebleeds are new, recur frequently, last for a prolonged period of time or you are unsure of the cause - it's time to get to VEG. We have locations open 24/7 Nationwide and are here when you need us most.
