My cat bleeds from the nose, what do I do?

In this article of Animals and Pets Online we will try one of the emergencies that we can find as caregivers of cats.This is the nasal bleeding , also known as epistaxis .There are several causes that can cause lesions in the nasal area to the point of causing a hemorrhage.Although most will be minor problems, we must know in which cases a visit to the veterinarian is essential due to the severity of the condition and the consequent risk to the cat's life.Yes, we will see, what to do if a cat bleeds for the nose .

Nasal epistaxis in cats

As we have said, the epistaxis consists of the loss of blood through the nose .In cats we can find that this bleeding comes from the outside of the nose, since no it is strange that, among congeneres, they are scattered by game or fights .The latter point will be more frequent in cats with access to the outside, especially if they are un-neutered males who usually fight for territorial and access issues females in heat.

Therefore, if our cat bleeds from the nose, on the outside, what to do? In these cases the castration of the cat and the control, or even the restriction, of the access to the outside is recommended.Although these external wounds are not serious, repeated fights can produce important lesions 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 , since, by the characteristics of the cat's skin , they can close in false and end up developing an infection that will require veterinary treatment.If it is superficial wounds, it is normal that in a short time they stop bleeding and that we see only that our cat has dry blood in the nose.We can disinfect them , for example, with chlorexhydine.

We will see some common causes of epistaxis in cats in the following sections.

Why does my cat bleed from the nose?

The cause of nasal bleeding that we encounter most often may be sneezing.That our cat sneezes and blood through the nose can be explained by the presence of a foreign body inside.In these cases we will see a sudden access to sneezing and the cat may rub his nose with his feet or against some object to try to get rid of the discomfort.Unless we see the object appear, we must go to our veterinarian to remove it if the picture does not remit.

The bleeding is explained by the rupture of a vessel or by injuries caused by the foreign body.This bleeding usually consist of a few droplets that we will see splashed on the floor and walls.For this same reason, we can see that a cat has mucus with blood, which also happens in bacterial or fungal infections that become chronic.If our cat nose bleed in these circumstances, what do we do? We must visit our veterinarian to prescribe an appropriate treatment.Curing the infection, stop bleeding from the nose.

When is nosebleed in cats severe?

There are situations of nasal bleeding in which we cannot wait for this to remit only, because, even if it is the only symptom we observe, our cat needs a complete veterinary assessment to rule out more serious damage.These situations would be the following:

• Injuries : in these cases the cat bleeds from the nose from a blow , such as the one received by a car or, very frequently, from falling from a height.The veterinarian must find out where the bleeding comes from.
• Poisoning : the intake of some toxins can cause nosebleeds , anal or oral .Supposes a veterinary emergency because the cat's life is at risk.
• CID: is the disseminated intravascular coagulation that occurs in severe conditions of different alterations, such as a heat stroke or a viral infection.It is difficult reverse it, so it is an emergency that requires immediate veterinary assistance.Epistaxis in cats can also appear in other coagulation problems.
• Tumors : a rapid diagnosis is required veterinarian, because its prognosis can improve if we detect them in early stages.

Therefore, in these cases, if our cat bleeds from the nose, what do we do? Go immediately to a veterinary center.

What to do when a cat bleeds from the nose?

In addition to the peculiarities that we have commented, if our cat bleeds through the nose we can follow the following tips:

• The most important thing is tranquility, keep the calm down us so that the cat does not get nervous.
• It may be necessary to confine him in a small space , such as the bathroom or, if we see him very nervous to the point of being able to cause more damage, we may have to put it in its transport.
• The Elizabethan collar can also help us to prevent the animal from scratching and, therefore, more injuries.
• We must look where the bleeding comes from .
• Although in cats it is difficult because of the dimensions of their nose, we can try to apply cold in the area If we use ice, it should always be wrapped in a cloth.The goal is for the cold to produce vasoconstriction so as to remit the bleeding.
• If you observe the point of bleeding pod We must press it constantly with gauze.
• In case of nose wounds that cause bleeding, we must clean and disinfect them .
• If the hemorrhage does not remit, we do not know the cause or it is one of those that we have considered serious, we must go immediately to our veterinary center of reference.

This article is merely informative, at Animals and Pets Online we have no power to prescribe veterinary treatments or make any type of diagnosis.We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian in the event that it presents any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to My cat bleeds for the nose, what do I do? , we recommend that you enter our First Aid section.