A nosebleed in a cat, also referred to as epistaxis, can be caused by many different conditions. The bleeding may be unilateral, coming from only one nostril, or bilateral, coming from both nostrils. Determining this may assist in diagnosing the cause of the nosebleed.
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Cause
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Damaged vessels in the nasal passage most often cause nosebleeds in cats. Other causes include trauma, foreign bodies in the nose, dental disease, nasal tumors and infections.
Veterinarian
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Your cat should see a veterinarian if it has a nosebleed. An emergency visit, however, is likely not necessary if you can get the bleeding to stop at home.
First Aid
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Keep the cat calm. Apply an ice pack or cold compress to the bridge of the cat's nose to slow bleeding.
Diagnosis
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Your veterinarian will conduct several ests to determine the cause of the cat's nosebleed. These may include blood tests, urinalysis, X-rays and further examination under general anesthesia.
Treatment
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Treatment will depend upon the cause of the nosebleed. In cases of trauma, the nosebleed usually stops on its own. If the cause is a tumor, necessary treatment may include surgery and chemotherapy.
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