My dog has dried blood in his nose. How can I safely clean it at home?

Without knowing his age isn't hard to give you an idea of what could be going on. It could be anything from cancer to an infection to something stuck in his nose. Here is some accurate information to check out: https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/nose-bleeds-or-epistaxis-in-dogs -- most relevant details "Place an ice pack on the bridge of the nose (on top of the muzzle). In short-faced breeds, be sure your pet can breathe around the ice pack. The cold will constrict small blood vessels, which will slow the bleeding. If these steps do not stop the bleeding or the pet is having difficulty breathing, see your veterinarian or emergency clinic at once. Remember that a pet with a bloody nose will likely swallow a great deal of blood. This may lead to a black stool (melena) or vomit that contains blood clots (hematemesis). After an episode of epistaxis, these findings are common and do not necessarily indicate bleeding in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract." I hope that helps!

I am sorry to hear about Stitch's accident! You can try to slow or stop the bleeding by applying pressure to the wound if you actually can see and reach it. Apply pressure with a clean cloth or towel. Another way to help stop bleeding is to apply an ice pack. Be sure to wrap it with a cloth or towel so it isn't directly touching the skin, and hold over the affected area. It will help the blood vessels constrict and bleeding to slow. If there is a nonstop stream of blood, then he should go to the emergency vet. An occasional drip doesn't require an emergency trip unless he seems to be becoming weak or his gums are pale in color.

Your dog may have rubbed it raw, under the couch or through the fence maybe? I suggest washing the area gently with antibacterial soap and water. Apply a warm washcloth 2-3 times a day for five minutes at a time to help keep it clean and draining. After washing and the compress, dry thoroughly and apply a dab of antibiotic ointment that **does NOT** contain hydrocortisone to the wound. Steroids will slow healing. An OTC triple antibiotic ointment will suffice. Rub it in well and don't leave any excess for your pet to lick off. If it does not show signs of healing or if your dog develops a fever, loses his appetite, starts vomiting or has diarrhea have him seen by your veterinarian right away. Potential cause may include allergies, infection, automimmune disease or even cancer. An e-collar (cone) may be used to prevent rubbing or pawing.

That sounds very concerning for Blackjack. I doubt there's much you are going to be able to do at home to help him. Bloody nasal discharge is very concerning for a cancer, fungal infection or object lodged within the nose. A bacterial is possible but it doesn't generally get this bad and it usually effects both sides. Putting him in a steamy bathroom a couple times a day may help to loose things up in the nose and help it to drain better. An Omega 3 fatty acid can help improve the quality of the skin (make sure to get one for dogs). Keep the draining area very clean and always use something soft like a cotton ball to try to avoid the surrounding skin from getting infected. This pup should see the vet. There are two credit programs that clients commonly use to get funding. One is called Scratch and the other is called Care Credit. The owner can go online and find out if he is approved within 10 minutes. I hope this helps and best of luck. Please feel free to post any additional questions.

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Nose bleeds can occur as a result of trauma, significant rhinitis or inflammation of the nose, high blood pressure, rat poison ingestion, a problem with blood clotting, and/or a possible cancerous cause. How to treat it depends on what the underlying cause is. Koeby should be evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as possible to determine what the underlying cause is. Dogs can lose a significant amount of blood from their noses and become anemic. There is no at home treatment that is sufficient. I hope this is helpful!

Since she is able to lick it, it's not advised to put anything on it. The best way to ensure it stays clean and doesn't get infected is to flush the wound with clean water, or saline twice a day for five minutes. Flush the wound with a syringe using a good amount of force. She won't like it, so you'll probably need someone to help hold her. If the wound happens to get swollen, very red and/or is leaking pus, then it would be best to take Molly to a veterinarian for treatment. I hope that helps and all is well with Molly.

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Loki. Poor boy. I'm wondering if he has an upper respiratory infection causing the bleeding, or a foreign body, or a fungal infection. Apply gentle pressure to his nose if it starts bleeding again, or apply a cold compress to his nose to see if that helps. First thing in the morning, I'd have him seen by a vet to have this diagnosed and treated. I hope this helps!