How to Stop Dog Nose Bleeds

Finding your dog with a nosebleed is alarming, and maybe even more traumatizing for the owner than for the dog. External trauma, foreign objects lodged in the nasal passages or serious medical problems may all be the cause of your pet's nosebleed. Even minor trauma, such as a persistent bout of sneezing, can cause a nosebleed in a dog. If your dog gets a nosebleed, schedule a vet appointment as soon as possible if you don't know the exact cause for the bleeding.

Things You'll Need

  • Ice pack
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Instructions

    • 1

      Calm yourself and your dog. Excitement increases blood pressure, which will cause further bleeding, so keep the dog calm. Dogs can also sense the stress you feel, so make sure to breathe deeply and keep yourself relaxed.

    • 2

      Apply an ice pack to the bridge of the dog's nose, making sure not to block the air passages.

    • 3

      Try to open your dog's mouth. Do so carefully and slowly in case the dog is scared or stressed and tries to bite you. Look in your dog's mouth for blood or paler-than-usual gums. If the mouth is bleeding too, take your dog to emergency care immediately.

    • 4

      Remove the ice pack after three to five minutes. The cold will have constricted the blood vessels, stopping or greatly retarding the bleeding.

    • 5

      Call the vet and schedule an appointment for an examination. If the dog inhaled a foreign object, it will need to be carefully, and maybe surgically, extracted. If nothing is blocking the nasal passage, the vet will begin a series of diagnostics to determine the possible internal causes for the bleeding. Investigate your home for potential causes including poisons in your home so you can provide as much helpful information to your vet as possible.