Blue Heeler with left nostril bleeding - Pet forum for dogs cats and humans

ashleynabbee07 · #1 April 11th, 2012, 06:46 PM

I have a 10 year old Blue Heeler Cattle Dog. about 6 weeks ago she had her eye tooth pulled on the left side. Off and on she has been having some slight bleeding from her left nostril. At the time her tooth was pulled, the doctor took xrays of her sinuses and didn't see anything abnormal. So it seemed to stop. But today it is starting to bleed from the left nostril again, it doesn't pour out but when you tissue it there is blood on the tissue. She is going into her vet tomorrow and he is going to look at it and get some more xrays. Which he said may not show up if there was anything. What is the next step? blood work or Mri on the sinuses? I am just so worried. Sue from Ohio

hazelrunpack · #2 April 11th, 2012, 08:48 PM

Welcome to the board, ashleynabbee07. I'm sorry you found us under such worrisome circumstances, though

Why was the canine pulled? Was there an abcess? Do you think the infection might have gotten into her nasal passages?

Depending on what the vet suspects, there are a lot of options out there. When you see the vet tomorrow ask lots of questions and don't be afraid to ask about other options if you're not sold on what he suggests. Some tests might be less expensive (like regular xrays) but not likely to give a good return of information (xrays won't image soft tissue well and only rarely will pick up signs of an infection, for instance). An MRI might give you better information but might cost more than you've budgeted. A scope and flush is sort of mid-price and might give you some good information. So remember to ask lots of questions about the test and the expected results and understand the options before you decide.

With luck this will turn out to be a slight complication from her dental surgery and easily fixed

Pls keep us posted!

Dog Dancer · #3 April 12th, 2012, 05:21 PM

I have no advice to offer you as this is not something I've ever encountered with my dogs, but I hope your vet visit goes/went well today. Please do get back to us and let us know how your pup did. Maybe with more information or info on a possible cause other members will be able to help again. Hazel is a great wealth of information, as are many of our other members. Thank you for taking such good care of your pup as to get her right back to the vet. Hopefully it's only minor.

MaxaLisa · #4 April 14th, 2012, 08:49 AM

I had this when I had a root canal done. The endodontist that did it said it had nothing to do with the tooth, and my dentist thought different. Anyway, ran a course of amoxicillin and in several days it stopped.

It could also be unrelated and I worry about nose things - tick diseases, bacterial, fungal, etc.

Myka · #5 April 14th, 2012, 09:26 AM

Scope up the nasal passage (under anesthetic) would probably be the next step after x-ray. Some vets will scope before x-ray, some x-ray before scope. Depends on the vet and the situation I suppose. I don't think they would suggest MRI unless the problem goes unresolved. MRI is around $700-800 (here anyway).