Nobody likes to see their feline friends hurt or sick, and a cat nosebleed are quite possibly the most pitiful site to behold. Not only are feline nosebleeds sad to see, they’re also quite scary and can accompany other issues. If you see your cat bleeding through the nose, take her to the vet immediately so that they can run tests to determine a cause and correct the issue. Tips for Good Cat Health
Injury To Your Cat
Perhaps the most common reason for feline nosebleeds lies in the possibility that they have somehow been injured or taken some trauma to the face. Cats’ naval cavities are extremely sensitive and tend to bleed very easily, so it’s very possible that they have taken some blow to the face. Because of a cat’s anatomy and how close their mouths are to their noses, if the cat has taken injury to the face, you may notice a problem with the mouth as well. If you notice open mouthed breathing, difficulty chewing or licking, or misalignment of teeth, this is likely the culprit and will need to be corrected be a veterinarian immediately as the cat could be in a great deal of pain.
Cat Infection
A not quite as common reason would be an infection caused by a virus that has gone untreated, a parasite or a foreign body that is lodged in the nasal membrane. Cats are curious creatures and can get themselves in predicaments where substances are ingested that shouldn’t be, which can cause any one of these issues. In these situations, the nasal membrane simply erodes, causing sometimes severe bleeding until the problem is removed and any swelling subsides. Read More – Keeping your cat’s dish clean
Rodenticide
If you have a rat problem that you’ve been trying to deal with, it’s possible that your cat has gotten into rat poisoning, otherwise known as rodenticide. Rodenticide is an anticoagulant that prevents clotting in small animals (like rats) so that they bleed to death. If, by chance, your cat has gotten into some rodenticide, immediate treatment will be required.
Cancer or a Tumor In Your Cat
Cancer sometimes occurs in elderly cats, when the uncontrolled division of cells that normally should be restrictive in their growth occurs without intervention. The breakdown of the cells can cause nosebleeds among other issues, so your vet will likely do a few tests to examine if cancer is a possibility. A physical cyst or tumor may be lodged in the face somewhere, and become infected or irritated, causing nosebleeds as well.
The bottom line for felines is that nosebleeds are not common, and if your cat has one, something is wrong. If you see blood discharging from the face at all, take your cat to the veterinarian immediately to be checked out.
Have you seen a cat nosebleed?
Additional Reading – How To Stop Hairballs