It can feel all sorts of queasy and terrifying for us pet parents to see our cat with a bloody nose, especially when we see it for the first time. But what is it and what does it mean for our cat’s health?
Medically termed as epistaxis, nose bleeds can be defined as acute hemorrhage in the nose. Feline epistaxis or cat nose bleed mostly occurs due to minor trauma or an upper respiratory infection. However, some cases may be more serious, needing immediate medical attention.
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Content:
- Symptoms of Nosebleeds in Cats
- Causes of Nosebleeds in Cats
- Treatment of Nosebleeds in Cats
- What to Do If Your Cat Is Sneezing Blood
- How Can the Emergency Fund Help with Treatment
- FAQs
- Conclusion
Symptoms of Nosebleeds in Cats
As the name implies, the main symptom of a cat nose bleed is the presence of blood or mucus with blood in either or both of a cat’s nostrils. Depending on the underlying cause of feline epistaxis, a cat bleeding from the nose may show several symptoms. On the other hand, some cases may only have a nosebleed as the sole symptom.
Among the possible symptoms of nose bleed in cats include:
- Bleeding from nose
- Sneezing
- Nasal discharge
- Snorting
- Pawing at the nose or face
- Swelling on face
- Lethargy
- Weakness
- Intolerance for exercise
- Breathing difficulties
- Bleeding gums
- Bad breath
- Unexplained bruises
- Black or dark feces
- Confusion
- Excessive bleeding from wounds or injection sites
To detect any symptoms early on, monitoring our cat is essential. During the night, however, or when we’re away or busy, having an extra set of eyes would be of big help. In monitoring your cat, a product such as the Petcube Cam may be what you’re looking for and more. Apart from having access to a 24/7 video camera, the Petcube Cam has innovative features such as a sharp 1080p full HD video, a smooth 2-way audio, and crystal clear night vision. That way, you may be able to detect any symptoms such as when your cat has a bloody nose for instance. Early detection goes a long way, especially in cases when immediate medical attention is warranted.
Causes of Nosebleeds in Cats
As soon as you notice your cat’s nose bleeding, the first question that would probably come into mind is— “Why is my cat’s nose bleeding?”. Before jumping to conclusions, let us get to know more about the common causes of nosebleeds in cats below:
Trauma
This is a common reason for nosebleeds in cats, which may involve the head or nasal cavity. Some possible scenarios of such traumas include hitting objects when running or getting into catfights, which may cause damage to the blood vessels inside your cat’s nose, resulting in bleeding.
Upper Respiratory Infections
Acute nosebleeds may also result from upper respiratory infections. Tick-borne infections for example may lead to ehrlichiosis, which may exhibit symptoms including bleeding of the nose as it progresses. Fungal infections such as cryptococcosis and aspergillosis may also cause nosebleeds.
Allergies
Allergies may cause dryness and irritation in a cat’s nasal passageways. This may cause inflammation of the mucous membranes, which may lead to nosebleeds. Among the common allergens that may cause this are allergens in the environment such as pollen, dust, and mold.
Foreign Bodies
Your cat’s nasal cavity may also be susceptible to having a foreign body getting stuck in it because cats are curious creatures after all. For example, if a blade of grass gets lodged inside your cat’s nose, this can cause irritation which may lead to a nosebleed.
Dental Disease
The teeth of the upper jaw (maxillary teeth) have roots that are near the nasal cavity. When your cat has a dental infection, this may sometimes cause abscesses on the roots, which may cause inflammation and bleeding in the nose.
Poisoning
If a cat becomes exposed to harmful toxins like rodenticides, one of the symptoms may include spontaneous bleeding such as a cat bleeding from the nose. Note that ingesting such toxins is a medical emergency, so it is important to bring your cat to the vet immediately if you suspect poisoning.
Liver or Kidney Disease
One of the possible symptoms of advanced-stage liver or kidney disease is having nosebleeds. This is because the disease affects the body’s clotting abilities.
Cancer
Tumors located in the head, especially ones near the nasal cavity, may show symptoms such as epistaxis. Among the types of cancers that may commonly exhibit nosebleeds are lymphoma or squamous cell carcinoma.
To better determine what causes our cats to exhibit symptoms such as nosebleeds, monitoring them is essential. That way, it will help you and your vet detect or narrow down the possible causes and address them immediately. The Petcube Cam 360 will come in handy since it will serve as your companion when it comes to closely monitoring your cat for any symptoms that are out of the ordinary.
The camera features a 360-degree pan-tilt rotation view, 1080p HD live streaming, smooth 2-way audio, and 8x digital zoom. Not to mention, you also get access to a 24/7 online vet service so you can consult with certified veterinarians anytime and anywhere you may be about the possible causes of any symptoms that your cat may be exhibiting.
Treatment of Nosebleeds in Cats
Treating feline epistaxis will depend on the cause. It may range from minor ways to stop the cat’s nose from bleeding to prescribed medications or more aggressive treatments such as blood transfusions or surgery. If the nosebleed happens at home, do not give any medications unless your veterinarian approves of it as this may lead to very serious implications. Depending on the underlying cause, the common cat nosebleed treatment methods include:
- Ice or Cold Compress - This may be used when there is facial swelling involved. Usually, this is done in cases of nosebleeds due to inflammation or injuries
- Antibiotics or Other Medications - If it is due to an infection, antibiotics may be prescribed along with other medications
- Intravenous Fluids - this is typically done when the cat also exhibits lethargy and weakness to help restore the balance of electrolytes
- Medications for Anxiety or Blood pressure - if it is determined that the cause of the nosebleeds is anxiety or blood pressure-related, medications for such may be recommended.
- Blood Transfusion - if the cause is a blood disorder or severe anemia, a blood transfusion may be needed.
- Surgery - In cases when the epistaxis is due to a tumor, or a foreign object, to repair damage, among other conditions, surgery may be needed.
What to Do If Your Cat Is Sneezing Blood
Like us humans, a cat’s nose contains many blood vessels, and any break in these vessels can cause an irritation that may lead to bleeding from the nose. But what if aside from your cat’s nose bleeding, they start sneezing? “Why is my cat sneezing blood?” you might ask.
According to Erick Mears, DVM, DACVIM, when cats feel liquid on their noses, it can trigger a sneeze reaction. He says that an upper respiratory infection is the most common cause of why cats may sneeze blood, followed by a foreign object getting stuck inside the nose. However, there are many other possible reasons.
If your cat is sneezing blood, it is important to first and foremost try to stay calm and calm them down. Cats are likely to be feeling anxious already due to their sneezing and nose bleeding. Amidst this, they are likely to feel even more stressed when you’re panicking. Keeping yourself calm while acting fast can help your cat relax and bring their blood pressure down. It is also best to bring them to a safe and secure area indoors.
If your cat is continuously sneezing blood or if they are bleeding excessively, it is important to bring them to the vet immediately. Take note of when your cat began to sneeze blood, how long they were sneezing, any accidents that they were involved in, any medications they are taking as well as other observations that may help your vet determine the cause.
How Can the Emergency Fund Help with Treatment
Because situations such as when your cat is sneezing blood may be a medical emergency, it is important to bring your cat to the vet immediately. And in such pet emergencies, having the support and financial net can go a long way. Petcube’s Pet Emergency Fund provides this support to help us pet parents during unexpected pet emergencies.
For one thing, the Petcube’s Emergency Fund welcomes pets regardless of age, breed, and medical history. Next, it offers $3000 annually for pet emergencies of up to 6 pets. And when it comes to paying the vet, you won’t have to wait as they pay as soon as they get the medical bill. Making it even better, a subscription gives you access to a 24/7 online vet service, especially for emergency triage and first aid guidance.
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FAQs
If a cat has a bloody nose in one nostril, what could be causing it?
When only one nostril is bleeding, common causes include a foreign object stuck inside the nasal passageways or dental disease. However, other causes are also possible.
Can a cat nose bleed be a sign of kidney failure?
Yes, it is possible for a nosebleed to be a sign of kidney failure in cats. This may be due to the failure of organs that affects the body’s ability to clot.
If a cat has a nose that’s bleeding, is cancer a possible cause?
Yes, types of cancer such as lymphoma or squamous cell carcinoma may show signs of bleeding from the nose.
Conclusion
A cat nose bleed may be alarming, but it is important to keep yourself calm when your cat exhibits the symptom. There are several possible causes, some of which may be minor while others may be serious. If your cat’s bleeding nose doesn’t stop quickly or if there is an excessive loss of blood or sneezing at the same time, it is important to bring them to the vet immediately for diagnosis and treatment.