Cats bleeding from the nose
Cat nosebleeds are also known as epistaxis, there are several causes that can cause injuries in the nasal area to the point of causing bleeding. Although most of them will be minor problems, we should know in which cases a visit to the veterinarian is necessary given the seriousness of the condition and the consequent risks to the cat's life. So we'll see what to do if a cat bleeds from the nose.
Cats bleeding from the nose
As we talked earlier, epistaxis is the descent of blood through the nasal passage. In cats we find that this bleeding comes from the outside of the nose, it is not strange that they scratch each other because of playing or fighting. This last point will be more common in cats that have access to the outside, especially if they are unvaccinated males who tend to fight around places and reach females in the heat period.
So if our cat is bleeding from the nose from the outside, what to do In these cases, it is recommended to sterilize the cat and control or even restrict access to the outside. Although these external wounds are not dangerous, frequent fights can cause serious injuries and transmit diseases for which there is no cure, such as immunodeficiency or feline leukemia.
In addition, we must control that these wounds heal well, due to the characteristics of the skin of cats, they can close incorrectly and end up developing an infection that requires veterinary treatment. If it comes to superficial wounds, it is normal that the bleeding stops in a short time and that we only see that our cat has dried blood in the nose. We can disinfect them, for example with chlorhexidine.
We will see some common causes of cats bleeding from the nose in the following details:
Causes of cat bleeding from the nose
The most common cause of nosebleeds may be sneezing. That our cat sneezes and bleeds from the nose can be explained by the presence of a foreign body inside. In these cases, we will see a sudden entry of sneezing and the cat may rub its nose with its paws or with some object in an attempt to get rid of the discomfort. Unless we see the object appear, we must go to the vet to remove it if the image does not disappear.
Bleeding is explained by a broken vessel or injuries caused by a foreign body. This bleeding usually consists of a few drops that we see scattered on the floor and walls. For this same reason, we can see that a cat has bloody mucus, which also occurs in bacterial or fungal infections that become chronic.
If our cat is bleeding from its nose in these conditions, what should we do We must visit our veterinarian to prescribe you the appropriate treatment. By treating the infection, you will stop bleeding from the nose.
When are cat nosebleeds dangerous?
There are cases of nosebleeds that we cannot wait for to subside on their own, because, even if this is the only symptom we notice, our cat needs a complete veterinary evaluation to rule out more serious damage. These situations will be as follows:
- Injuries: in these cases, the cat bleeds from its nose due to a blow such as that received by a car or, more often, due to a fall from a height. The veterinarian needs to find out the source of the bleeding.
- Poisoning: ingestion of certain toxins can lead to nosebleeds and anal or oral bleeding. It is a veterinary emergency because the cat's life is in danger.
- DIC: is disseminated intravascular coagulation that occurs in severe cases of various disorders, such as heat stroke or viral infection. It is difficult to reverse, so it is an emergency situation that requires immediate veterinary assistance. Epistaxis in cats can also manifest itself in other clotting problems.
- Tumors: a quick veterinary diagnosis is required, as their prognosis can improve if we detect them in the early stages.
So in these cases, if our cat is bleeding from its nose what should we do Immediately go to a veterinary center.
What to do when a cat bleeds from the nose
In addition to the peculiarities we have mentioned, if our cat is bleeding from the nose, we can follow the following tips:
- The most important thing is to be calm, and keep calm so that the cat does not get nervous.
- It may be necessary to confine it to a small space, such as a bathroom, or if we see it so tense that it is capable of causing more damage, we may have to put it in its holder.
- The Elizabethan collar can also help us prevent the animal from scratching, thus causing more injuries.
- We must find out where the bleeding comes from.
- Although in cats it is difficult because of the size of their nose, we can try to apply cold to the area. If we use ice, then it should always be wrapped in a cloth. The goal is for the cold to cause the vessels to narrow so that the bleeding subsides.
- If we notice the bleeding point, then we can constantly squeeze it with a gauze bandage.
- In the case of wounds in the nose that cause bleeding, they must be cleaned and disinfected.
- If the bleeding does not subside, we do not know the cause or if it is one of the causes that we have considered serious, we must immediately go to our veterinary reference center.