Sunday, April 3, 2011

First Aid Treatment for nose Bleeds in dogs

By Jerry Welsh


Epistaxis or nose bleeding is a health concern that happens both to humans and animals. In humans, nose bleeding usually does not pose a real threat. 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. Nose bleeding in dogs is different as it can be a serious health concern. Nose bleeding in itself is not a disease rather it indicates that the dog may have an underlying health concern.

People have come to know the joys of owning a dog for a pet. After domestication, dogs have become the loyal and affectionate friends of man. It is therefore understandable if an owner would be frightened at the sight of an injured pet. Do you know what first aid methods can be given to a nose bleeding pet?

Nose bleeding can happen to all dogs but this health concern usually occurs more often in dolichocephalic breed or in dogs with long noses. Nose bleeding are of two kinds - unilateral if blood comes out only from one nostril and bilateral if blood comes out from both nostrils. Sneezing can produce some blood in the nasal discharge while other cases of nose bleeding will be profuse.

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. A dog that bleeds internally can nose bleed as well. The pet has to be taken to a veterinary facility at once.

Some cases of nose bleeding can be resolved with first aid. 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. Applying an ice pack or a cold compress to the dog's nasal bridge would stop the bleeding. Nose bleed will be controlled when the blood vessels are constricted by the cold. Even if the bleeding was controlled medical intervention will still be necessary to diagnose the pet's condition.




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