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A cat bleeding from the nose can be an alarming sight if it is your first time seeing it. Nosebleeds are medically referred to as epistaxis. Feline epistaxis means acute hemorrhage from the nose in cats, which can result from many conditions such as trauma, respiratory infection, and more.
Although your cat's bloody nose may not be a cause for concern in many cases, there are a few instances where it could indicate a serious underlying health condition.
Let's dive in to learn about the eight common reasons for cat nose bleeds!
1. Feline Allergies
Allergies can affect your cats in the same way as people, causing irritation and drying of the nasal passages. The sensitive mucous membranes of the nose can become inflamed, making your cat susceptible to nosebleeds. Environmental allergens such as dust, mold, or pollen are common culprits.
2. Upper Respiratory Infections
An upper respiratory infection can cause acute nosebleeds. For example, tick-borne infections can cause ehrlichiosis, manifesting as a nosebleed. Additionally, aspergillosis and cryptococcosis are infections caused by fungi, which can leaaxis.
3. Trauma
Trauma is a common reason for cat nasal bleeding. Both head and nasal cavity trauma can impact respiratory function and cause epistaxis. Accidents such as running into an object or catfights can be responsible for trauma and damage to the delicate blood vessels in the nose.
4. Dental Disease
The roots of the large maxillary teeth (those of the upper jaw) are very close with the nasal sinuses. Abscesses sometimes form at the root of a tooth in the case of severe dental infections. These may lead to inflammation and nosebleeds. Good dental care will help prevent this. If your cat already has dental issues, consider booking a dental checkup.
5. Foreign Bodies in the Nasal Passages
When a foreign body is lodged in your furry friend's nasal cavity, it can result in a cat nose bleed. A foreign object, such as a blade of grass or grass seed, can cause irritation, resulting in a nosebleed. Your pet may need to be anesthetized to identify and remove the foreign body, sometimes with the help of rhinoscopy.
6. Kidney or Liver Disease
Nose bleeds in cats can be a symptom of advanced kidney or liver disease. Failure of these organs impacts the body's ability to clot, leading to nose bleeds.
7. Poisoning
Exposure to toxins such as anticoagulant rodenticides (rat poison) can lead to nosebleeds. Such toxins may cause spontaneous bleeding, including bleeding from the cat's nose. It is vital to keep these types of poison away from your pets, but if an accident happens, contact your veterinarian immediately, as this is an emergency.
8. Cancer
Certain tumors around the head area and especially those in the nasal passageways can result in a epistaxis. Common causes would be squamous cell carcinoma and lymphoma.
What To Do If My Cat's Nose is Bleeding?
If this is the first time your cat is bleeding from the nose, try to calm them down and keep them indoors in a cool area. This will decrease the blood flow and slow down the bleeding. First aid involves placing a covered ice pack on the cat's nose bridge. This will constrict the blood vessels to slow down the bleeding.
Never insert cotton wool or any packing material into the nasal cavity. If the bleeding fails to slow down, it is time to seek immediate veterinary attention. A veterinarian should also investigate frequent nose bleeds to ascertain the cause, and a kitten nose bleed or an old cat bleeding from the nose demands immediate attention.
Your veterinarian can conduct various tests such as nasal swabs, complete blood cell count, and high blood pressure checks. A complete blood count will determine whether your feline is anemic and may require a blood transfusion. The results of the tests will help identify the cause of your cat's nosebleed so the veterinarian can start the correct course of treatment.
Conclusion
When faced with cat nose bleeds it's important to recognize that there are many potential causes, including viral, bacterial, or fungal infections, trauma, and poisoning. Like any other health condition, nose bleeds in cats warrant professional care and monitoring. Your veterinarian will provide you with detailed treatment plans that should be followed to ensure that your furry friend fully recovers.
If you prefer the convenience of a home vet visit, don't hesitate to book one today.
Should My Pet Be Seen by a Veterinarian?
1. Have you noticed changes in your pet’s appetite?
2. Does your pet have diarrhea or loose stools?
3. Have you noticed changes in your pet’s thirst/water consumption?
4. Is your pet having accidents in the house?
5. Is your pet pacing and unable to settle?
6. Is your pet panting more than usual?
7. Is your pet whining or vocalizing more than usual?
8. Is your pet shaking more than usual?
9. Is your pet hiding or avoiding physical contact more than usual?
10. Is your pet more lethargic and sleeping more than usual?
11. Are you concerned about changes in your pet’s behavior?
12. Is your pet scratching their ears?
13. Is your pet licking their paws more than usual?
14. Does your pet have a rash?
15. Is your pet moving more slowly than usual or having a harder time getting up or down?
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Should My Pet Be Seen by a Veterinarian?
1. Have you noticed changes in your pet’s appetite?
2. Does your pet have diarrhea or loose stools?
3. Have you noticed changes in your pet’s thirst/water consumption?
4. Is your pet having accidents in the house?
5. Is your pet pacing and unable to settle?
6. Is your pet panting more than usual?
7. Is your pet whining or vocalizing more than usual?
8. Is your pet shaking more than usual?
9. Is your pet hiding or avoiding physical contact more than usual?
10. Is your pet more lethargic and sleeping more than usual?
11. Are you concerned about changes in your pet’s behavior?
12. Is your pet scratching their ears?
13. Is your pet licking their paws more than usual?
14. Does your pet have a rash?
15. Is your pet moving more slowly than usual or having a harder time getting up or down?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Should I be worried about my cat's nose bleeding?
A cat's nosebleed often does not indicate a severe health issue. However, frequent or severe nose bleeds can still indicate an underlying condition and should be investigated.
How do you stop a cat nosebleed?
Calm the cat down and apply an ice pack on the bridge of the cat's nose.
Is a cat sneezing blood an emergency?
If your cat sneezed blood in a large quantity or frequently passes blood from their nose, it should be treated as an emergency.
How can I prevent my cat from getting future nosebleeds?
Preventing your cat's nosebleeds depends on the underlying cause. Good nutrition, an air purifier or humidifier, and regular veterinary checks can all contribute to keeping your cat healthy and preventing future nosebleeds.
