Bringing up blood?

Question

Ok, I'll be taking my dog to the vets as soon as my hubby can get home (I dont drive), but was hoping someone here could give me an idea of what might be wrong. We picked bailey (our dog) up from the boarding kennels he's been in since Friday this morning and was told he had been 'coughing up bits' as if you'd had a nosebleed sorta thing. Well since getting him home he's come running into me with bright red blood smeared up the side of his face. He hadnt coughed, it had been brought up silently, there was still blood on his tongue at the back and gums when I looked. Although now there is no sign of any damage to inside his mouth so I can only assume he's bringing up the blood rather than bleeding from the mouth.
What can cause this, I'm really worried.
Any ideas?

Oh and he was on antibiotics till Saturday. Could that have anything to do with it?

Pretty sure its not kennel cough or anything like that as there is no cough!!! I guess he could have been hurt and the kennel owners didnt tell us, anything is possible.

Sorry - he was on antibiotics for a very mild bladder infection! There is no blood in his urine today - checked that. Just the bringing up blood

Answer 1

Not the antibiotics. Sounds like it's internal bleeding.He may have eaten something at the kennel and their not telling you about it. Have x rays,a ultrasound and/or a barium done on the dog to see if there is anything lodged in the esophagus or lungs.I have seen all kinds of things removed from animals including sewing needles,Christmas lights and underwear.


Most boarding facilities require ALL dogs to have the "kennel cough" vaccine before you board. A good place won't let you come if the vac was given to the dogs less than 2 weeks prior to boarding.

Answer 2

First question would be what was he on antibiotics for? Second thought would be kennel cough that has progressed. Another question is where you are living? If you are in an area with lots of smoke or really dry relative humidity your dog could be getting a bloody nose where, due to dry conditions, his nose blood vessels are near the surface and are rupturing. I would always take the animal to the vet if there is blood coming from anywhere that you dont know why. Good Luck!

Answer 3

How long was he boarded? Could he have contacted kennel cough? It sounds like whooping cough or croup in a kid.

Could another dog have attacked and shaken him? He could have some damage inside his nasal passage from an attack especially if he was jolted around.

Does he have any neural symptoms from a possible brain bleed? Could the kennel have accidentally allowed him to get injured without informing you? A hit in the head from another bigger dog or from being hit by a car?

My last concern would be distemper. A bleeding nose and cough is actually a symptom of the disease. Is he inoculated? My neighbor's dogs had distemper when I was a child. That was before the vaccines were available. They cough and have a nose bleed then a few days later develop seizures and eventually expire. It is a nueralogical viral disease.

Answer 4

I don't know, just call the kennel and ask what they've seen, and if they have a vet there who may know what the problem is (they should have a vet or someone experienced enough to tell what is going on with the dogs they are keeping). Also ask if they had any other dog with the same problem. The vet will probably need to know these things. And go to the vet ASAP.

Answer 5

You have what could be considered a medical emergency on your hands. If you can't get to the vet because you don't drive, call him. Explain the situation and ask what you can do until you arrive. Folks here can't give you a better answer than your vet can, in this particular situation.

Answer 6

You're doing the right thing by bringing him in. It is probably minor, but I would probably consider a new kennel in the future.