Dog bleeding through nose

[rhynes]

New member, hi all. The dog is part lhasa apso and part ****su, 5 years old.

My girlfriends dog, i'm very attached to her, started bleeding out of one nostril last night and has been to the vet already...

Backing up, about 5 weeks ago she had surgery to remove 2 bladder stones, came through nicely, scar on her belly is healed very well... $1200 later, healty dog.

If she's outside, she's either on a leash walking or tied up in the front yard. But on SUNDAY night, she got out of the house and was gone for over an hour. I'm pretty sure she would have gotten into something, just don't know what.

On monday, she was fine... On tuesday morning, again fine. Tuesday evening and all through the night, she was a little out of sorts, bit of diarrhea and vomiting. Early in the wee hours of wednesday morning, she started spotting blood through the one nostril. The girlfriend just happened to get up through the night. She was at the vets first thing on Wednesday morning (today).

They did blood tests and found red blood count down a little (low normal), and the whites elevated a little. She's still spotting blood through the one nostril but is now drugged, she's pretty groggy and out of it. According to the vet, she has a bit of pancreatitis as well.

What could she have gotten into that would react a couple of days later? Or could it be coincidental? Wondering if something poisonous? She's been on meds and a special vet diet this whole time after surgery.

I'm worried sick over seeing her bleed. She's licking her nose and probably swallowing quite a bit so I guess vomiting wouldn't be out of the question? Should I use an ice pack? Anyone ever seen this?

[Dr Lee]

rhynes,

Sounds like you all have been through a lot lately!

There are two possibilities - it is related to the surgery or non-related. Related causes could be something very simple like inflammation of the upper airways/sinus. How would this occur? A tube is placed in the wind pipe to assist with anesthesia - this can lead to some inflammation. Also sometimes fluid can pool while the patient is upside down for surgery, leading to some sinus inflammation. The other cause that could be related to surgery is highly unlikely based on what you have described which would be sepsis. Sepsis can lead to something called DIC which could show up as blood from the nose; however sepsis would cause other serious clinical signs as well which you have not described.

The other possibility is that it is unrelated to the surgery. When we seen bleeding on one side of the nose, inhaled foreign material/foxtails, infections, polyps, tumors are possible causes. It is possible that the bleeding has similar list of causes to bilateral bleeding from the nose but that it is only being clinically seen on one side. Then the list could include platelet disorders (unlikely since she recovered well from an intra-abdominal surgery), drug related (she isn't on aspirin is she?), severe allergies or upper respiratory infections, toxins (some rat poisons), fungal infections, tumors, etc...

You guys did the right thing and brought her back to the vet! Keep in close contact if the signs continue or worsen.

Your question regarding the ice pack - good idea if she will let you. Cold causes vasoconstriction which would reduce the blood flow through the surrounding area making it easier for the body to clot and stop the bleeding. Humidifiers (or keeping her in the bathroom while you shower - although this does increase the temperature) can help keep the sinus cavity moist. Drying out of the sinus can help restimuate bleeding.

Let us know how she does!

[mummummum]

your dog is feeling unwell. When the Vet did a complete blood count, did they also do a chem screen and urine sample? Did they scope her nose and throat for any foreign objects?

Other than ingesting something disagreeble or poisonous, the other thing to think about is that it may be heat related. Some dogs don't respond at all well to heat and react with similar symptoms. The bleeding could be explained by excessively dry conditions in your house/ enviroment (ruptured capillary, some people get them in the winter time).

[rhynes]

Thank you for your quick replies. Her surgery happened 6 weeks ago, I tend to think it wouldn't be the cause. Because of her getting out on Sunday, I think perhaps it may be a foreign object as you and my vet also suggested. Poor little thing, she's just so sickly. I have a variety of drugs to give her..sulcrate, amoxil, zantac and metronidazole. I am to take her back on Friday morning and leave her at the vets for the day to see how she is doing. (Btw, this is the girlfriend replying).

[mummummum]

Hey girlfriend ! She's on a whack of the "anti's" so it sounds like she's on all the right drugs. Given the passage of time and that she still on the planet I think your Vet is taking all the proper precautions. The only thing I would worry on is whether theere is something UP there.

[Dr Lee]

I need to read slightly closer - 6 weeks out. Highly unlikely to be related to surgery. Either there is inflammation in the sinus cavity (foxtail/foreign body, allergy, etc....) or there is no clotting occuring. Most likely - inflammation.

I still recommend the humidifier. Good luck.

[rhynes]

She's such a wonderful dog, so docile, zero aggression. I put an icebag on her snout and she accepted it, no problem. Started to spot blood shortly after so I took it off. Don't want to stress her.

There's no sign of any blood clots as of yet, but the blood looks normal. Going to try the humidifier overnight and see what happens. It hasn't been overly hot in the house but the humidity is unusually high for northern alberta.

I really hope she stops bleeding, it's really worrysome. It's not tons of blood coming out but she's not very big.

We'll post back in the next day or two with an update. Thanks for all your replies, and especially for the expert advise from Dr. Lee. It's wonderful that you volunteer your time to help others.

[rhynes]

This is the girlfriend posting this morning. I had her sleep in my room so that if she was in pain or something I would hear her. She didn't make a sound throughout the night. I woke up at 5am and saw her lying near the door. Figured that was a good sign, that she wanted out for her morning pee. Instead, when I called out to her, she didn't respond. I went over to give her a rub on the head and to tell her to "come on outside". She had died sometime during the night. Her body was already in rigor. Her eyes were open and her back feet splayed across the floor. Blood had been dripping through her nose, again, just little steady dripping.

I'll bring her body to the vet this morning when they open. I'm glad now that they had drugged her up when we got her yesterday, at least she wouldn't have been in much pain. I just want to know what happened to her, and how she could get so sick so fast. No temperature, the only cause for concern was the high white cell count at the time. What could have happened to this poor dog? Thank you for your prompt replies to us and your concern, both of you. And now I have to tell my two daughters, who are with their Dad at the moment.

[rhynes]

This is Tia, may she rest in peace.

[Winston]

Rhynes! My heart goes out to you and your family...The only way to know for sure what was wrong with your little one is to ask for an autopsy..

I hope you find some comfort in knowing that your little one is now waiting for you at the Rainbow Bridge!


Tia

Cindy

[crazydays]

Rynes- OMG something did go terribly wrong. I am so sorry..it makes me feel sick. I really hope you get your answers so some of this mystery is over. All my best to you and your very caring family.

[Lukka'sma]

Oh poor Tia. I am so sorry for your loss rhynes, girlfriend and family. May your special Tia rest in peace.

[rhynes]

We're both still in shock, it all happened so fast. She was barking her excited, shrill little bark in the vets office yesterday when she heard our voices, so excited. They gave her the sedative and we took her home.

Thanks for your kind words.

Robert and Jeannine.

[hazelrunpack]

I am so sorry for your loss So sudden! :sad:

I hope the vet can pinpoint a cause to give you a little closure. It won't bring her back but sometimes just knowing can be a comfort.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

[Dr Lee]

It is so difficult to lose a family member. My condolences.

[rhynes]

I had questioned the vet yesterday about any chances of poisoning, she said no. Talked with her this morning and she now figures it was. Unfortunately, by the time we got her to the vet, it would be too late anyhow.

It was probably mouse poison she got into, would have started bleeding internally most likely. Have to start checking around the neighborhood to let people know not to leave it around.

[Love4himies]

OMG, I feel so bad for you and your girlfriend. May Tia rest in peace. A big to you and your girlfriend.

Please let us know the results of the autopsy.

[puppypwr]

rhynes, I am so sorry for your loss. Was your vet able to definitively pin point the cause. I'm running into a situation with my siberian with unexplained nose bleeds. He had one bad one with clots last week, but still the blood work didn't reveal anything, and neither did the ex-rays.

[calderajo]

Hi I am new. I was reading about your dog bleeding from one nostril and that you lost the dog. I am so sorry and I know what you are going through. My dog is lab cross and is 12 years old. About 3 weeks ago started bleeding from his left nostril. The frist time he bled there was a huge amount of blood. We immediately took him to the vet and he ran tests. His red blood count was a little low but his white count was 27,000. To our knowledge he didn't get into anything and the vet couldn't find anything in his nostril. He is now on amoxcillian and a yeast type medicine for fungus. We were told that it is possible that he has a tumor. We were told that he may last 2 months. He is losing weight and is shedding a lot. We live in a high altitude and the air is dry. I am running a vaporizer 24 hours a day. His nostril is very cracked and I don't know what to do for him. I am hoping that the vet is wrong about the tumor. I just want to let you know that you are not alone

[hazelrunpack]

I'm sorry to hear about your dog, calderajo

that it's an infection that the meds can help kick.