Is your Bulldog sneezing blood? This can be a frightening situation, especially for first-time owners. Still, this problem has several reasons, which can range from foreign objects up your dog’s nose or a cancerous tumor. It’s important to know what’s causing the problem as much as finding home remedies for dog sneezing blood.
Take note that sneezing blood doesn’t always point to a life-threatening problem. Still, you should take the situation seriously, especially if your Bulldog keeps sneezing blood often.
For this post, I will discuss why this problem happens and what you can do about it.
Why is my Bulldog sneezing blood?
A bleeding nose is fairly common, both for canines and humans. If you’re wondering why your dog is experiencing this problem, the following might be the reasons why:
🐶Foreign object dislodged inside the dog’s nose
The most common scenario here is that a foreign object got stuck inside your dog’s nose. Bulldogs can be pretty curious canines, and they can get small toys, grass blades, and even pebbles dislodged inside their nasal cavities.
If not removed right away, this can cause infection and even bleeding. As your pet’s nose got more irritated, it will start sneezing the blood and mucus out.
The next time you noticed your Bulldog huffing, you should give its nose a quick check. You can use a flashlight to see if there are foreign objects inside that might be triggering the problem.
Take note that you should never try removing a foreign object in your Bulldog’s nose unless it’s within reach. If the item is located further into the nasal cavity, it’s wiser to bring your pet to the vet’s clinic.
🐶Extreme allergic reactions
Another possible reason behind your Bulldog’s bloody sneeze is severe allergies. An allergic reaction can stir a long bout of sneezing, which can cause bleeding. This happens a lot during the pollen season, especially since Bulldogs are quite sensitive to airborne irritants.
Aside from that, smoke, dust, and off-gassing from chemicals can also trigger excessive sneezing on your dog.
However, most allergic reactions won’t cause nose bleeding. And even if it does, the amount should be minimal. You should bring your dog to the vet if the blood is oozing from its nose in large amounts.
🐶Benign nasal polyp
A benign nasal polyp can also be the culprit behind your dog’s bloody nose. It usually arises from the mucus membranes, which line the nose to keep it moist. This growth can also be found in other parts of the nasal cavity.
Since these polyps are benign, they will not put your Bulldog’s life at risk. Still, the only way to find out if such growth is benign or not is to bring your dog to the vet.
Take note that nasal polyps will make it hard for your Bulldog to breathe. This is dangerous for this breed with short snouts and a respiratory system that’s prone to problems.
The key here is performing regular checks on your dog’s nose. If there is pinkish growth, you should consult the veterinarian right away. You’d want your dog to get tested as soon as possible to rule out malignancy.
The following are the symptoms of nasal polyps in dogs:
- Mucus discharge
- Nose bleeding
- Crusting of the nose
- Swelling under the eye
- Forehead swelling
- Double vision
- Nasal passage obstruction
If your dog exhibits at least two of these symptoms, it’s a cue to take the pooch to the vet as soon as you can. While benign polyps aren’t life-threatening, they can give way to infection and further suffering on the part of your dog.
🐶Infection and gum problems
Another possible reason you should look into is an infection on your dog’s gums and teeth. The abscess and bleeding can backflow into your Bulldog’s nasal cavity. When that happens, your pooch will sneeze incessantly. Its mucus will be mixed with the blood and abscess that came from the mouth.
Take note that gum problems only get worse as time passes by. Worse, it will increase the risk of other infections entering through your Bulldog’s wounded mouth. In some cases, dogs suffer from heart problems related to their dental health woes.
A quick check of your Bulldog’s mouth will reveal a lot of things. If you notice any abnormal growth, tooth decay, or unusual odors, you should consider a trip to the vet.
Overall, your Bulldogs dental health will say a lot of things about its well-being. The earlier you address it, the faster it will heal, and your pocket won’t suffer from hefty vet bills.
🐶Blood-clotting problems
Like humans, dogs can also suffer from blood clotting issues. This will lead to epistaxis or nose bleeding. When your dog’s blood fails to clot properly, it will lead to repetitive nose bleeding as well as bleeding on other parts of the body.
Conditions like Von Willebrand’s Disease are known to cause this problem. This condition happens because your Bulldog’s body doesn’t have enough protein needed to let platelets bind together.
Many dog breeds can suffer from Von Willebrand’s Disease, but the likes of Doberman Pinschers and Bulldogs.
It’s not easy to spot this condition from the surface. This is why your Bulldog needs to undergo a test called buccal mucosal screening.
Take note that blood clotting problems should be taken seriously. This can be life-threatening, especially if your Bulldog experiences substantial nose bleeding while sneezing.
🐶Nasal cancer
Lastly, you should also rule out the possibility of nasal cancer. Don’t get this wrong, though. Just because your Bulldog is sneezing with blood doesn’t mean it has the Big C right away. However, there’s still a possibility as much as it does with other conditions discussed here.
Malignant tumors will start to irritate your Bulldog’s nasal activity. As the tumor expands, it will increase sneezing, which will cause internal wounds and bleeding.
In this case, substantial blood loss on the affected nostril will be easily noticeable. Also, once the tumor is already large, it will manifest as a lump outside your dog’s face.
Canine cancer requires immediate diagnosis and treatment. The vet will determine the extent of the condition as well as the treatment that suits your pet.
Home remedies for dog sneezing blood
If your Bulldog’s nose bleeds, the following are the remedies you can try:
Remedy #1: Apply cold packs
One of the easiest ways to ease nose bleeding is by applying a cold pack on both sides of your dog’s snout. You can use freezer blocks or your traditional cold compress for this purpose. If you don’t have any of these, you can wrap several ice cubes in layers of a thick towel.
Icing the area will help restrict the blood flow on your Bulldog’s nose. This will help reduce the bleeding and potentially calm your pet’s sneezing fit.
However, if your dog is reluctant to be restrained in this way, you can consider the other methods here.
Remedy #2: Remove dislodged foreign object in the nose
If you suspect that your Bulldog has a foreign object up its nose, you can try pulling it. However, you should only do so if the object is located close to the entrance of the nose. Also, if your Bulldog isn’t used to being held and restrained, you shouldn’t try picking the object inside its nasal cavity.
Some pet owners swear by using disinfected tweezers. However, you should only do so upon the advice of your dog’s veterinarian. You wouldn’t want to create further irritation that will lead to more sneezing.
Remedy #3: Use a nasal spray
If icing doesn’t work and there’s no foreign object visible inside your Bulldog’s nose, you can use a nasal spray. Again, you should only do this upon calling your dog’s vet.
Nasal sprays containing diluted epinephrine can help ease sneezing. This is also a good remedy if your Bulldog’s nose is bleeding and sneezing is due to an allergic reaction.
Other nasal sprays may help, but you have to ensure that your Bulldog will respond positively to it.
Remedy #4: Put the dog in a crate
If your Bulldog’s nose bleeding occurred due to excessive physical exertion, putting it in a crate will help. This will slow down your dog’s physical activities, which will help abate the bleeding.
Aside from that, you should place the crate in a calm area to help your dog tone down. You can also apply cold packs first before luring the pooch to the crate. Basically, any method that will help your Bulldog will work here.
Remedy #5: Bring the dog to the veterinarian
If all the efforts above didn’t fix your Bulldog’s bloody sneeze, you should immediately bring the pooch to the vet. There might be an infection, tumor, or health problems causing the bleeding. This requires urgent veterinary attention, especially if your doggo is sneezing large amounts of blood.
You should never administer any medication to your dog unless the vet prescribes it. In the long run, trying to provide pharmaceuticals to your dog without proper guidance may cause more problems.
How to prevent nose bleeding in dogs
If your Bulldog is notorious for nose bleeding, the following tips will be a big help:
- Keep your dog calm. Excessive physical exertion can lead to bloody sneezing. It’s important to train your Bulldog and desensitize it to various stimuli so that it won’t get overexcited easily.
- Put tiny objects away. Tiny squeakers and torn parts of toys shouldn’t be within your dog’s reach. These small items can get into a curious Bulldog’s nose. Before you know it, your pet is already sneezing with blood.
- Consult the vet regularly. Periodic visits to the vet will help diagnose health problems in their infancy. This translates to quick diagnosis and faster healing.
- Keep allergens at bay. Bulldogs are pretty sensitive when it comes to allergens. This is why you should always keep your home clean and never let the dog out too often during the pollen season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will a dog’s nose stop bleeding on its own?
A: Most cases of nose bleeding in dogs isn’t usual and will clear up on their own. However, if your Bulldog’s nose bleeding is lingering and happening frequently, you should get it checked immediately. There might be an abnormal growth within the nasal activity or that a foreign object is dislodged far back.
Q: Why is my Bulldog sneezing so much all of a sudden?
A: If your healthy Bulldog starts sneezing all of a sudden, you may have allergens to blame. Dust and pollens are notorious for triggering allergies in Bulldogs. On the other hand, playfulness and excitement can also elicit unusual sneezing.
Q: Does reverse sneezing cause nose bleeding in dogs?
A: Reverse sneezing rarely causes nose bleeding in dogs. However, the possibility isn’t 100% gone, especially if it’s due to a dislodged foreign object. It’s always best to bring your dog to the vet for proper examination.
Q: Should I worry if my dog’s nose is bleeding?
A: If the bleeding is minor, it shouldn’t be a cause of concern. However, if it’s recurring or caused by physical trauma, you should involve the veterinarian in the picture. You should also bring your Bulldog to the vet if other symptoms like lethargy accompany nose bleeding, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and more.
Q: How do you know if your dog has a nasal tumor?
A: Nasal tumors often cause swelling on the dog’s face. It will also trigger nasal discharge with pus-like color and consistency. You’ll also notice your Bulldog having breathing difficulties. Unexplained weight loss will also occur, especially if the tumor is malignant.
Final words
Nose bleeding in dogs can be alarming, especially for new pet owners. But with home remedies for dog sneezing blood, you can mitigate the problem without the need to go to the vet. Nevertheless, you shouldn’t hesitate to call your Bulldog’s veterinarian if the bleeding isn’t halting. You should also watch out for other symptoms that may point out to other health problems.
