Dog Bleeding? At-Home Treatments that Can Help Stem the Flow.

(photo credit: aspen rock / shutterstock.com)

Small nicks and cuts are not unusual for dogs or cats to encounter from time to time. And as pet parents, we’ve all seen our fair share of bloody paws and scabby scrapes when our pooches are permitted to run around in the great outdoors.

But what happens when the blood’s a bit heavier than usual? And it doesn’t want to stop? Well, that’s exactly what happened to me this week when drops of blood appeared on my kitchen floor.

We’re not talking a smattering. We’re talking full-scale splats that meandered all the way into the living room and led me over to my three dogs. A quick scan yielded no results, but on closer observation, it was clear that Ruby had cut her lip. And boy, was it flowing.

Of course, it was a Sunday, which meant I had to troubleshoot the issue myself or spring for a trip to the emergency ward. That’s when I realized I really wasn’t sure what to do about a small wound that was yielding lots of blood. I also realized I didn’t have any type of first-aid kit for my fur crew beyond my human-style band-aids and peroxide. Oh, and lots of paper towels.

No surprise that over the past 24 hours, I’ve scoped out a surprisingly inexpensive dog first-aid kit that includes not only appropriately sized bandages and a range of medicated ointments and solutions, but also how-to manuals on tending to animal injuries.

Now what?

What to do With a Bleeding Dog

According to the American Kennel Club (AKC) - and assuming the injury is external rather than internal, which would immediately require a run to emergency - the best thing you can do to stop the flow of blood is to apply pressure with your fingertips or the palm of your hand. And that takes place, ideally, with a clean cloth, should circumstances allow. Only once it has stopped, do you apply a bandage.

If it’s a larger-sized wound or one that’s gaping, AKC recommends you first stem the bleeding, then get your dog to the vet. Antibiotics may be required, so don’t risk reopening the injury by trying to clean it or apply sealed dressings that might trap bacteria. Let your veterinarian deal with that.

Minor Bleeding That Won’t Stop

For those of us who have ever tried to clip our dog’s nails… You get the picture. All it takes is a tiny nip of the nail quick, and the bleeding begins. And because your pet is immediately going to walk around afterwards, the pressure on those toes promotes continued bleeding, and now it’s being traipsed all over your home. The easiest way to prevent a bloodbath when grooming is to have a jar of pet styptic powder handy. Styptic powder uses astringent agents like aluminum sulfate that immediately cause blood vessels to constrict and blood proteins to congeal. When the wound has “sealed”, you no longer run the risk of it becoming infected. Now, for the big warning. Styptic powder should never be used for larger wounds. And it’s for the very same reason that it works so well on the tiny ones. It quickly seals the surface and can lock in infection-causing bacteria. So, use for nicks only, not cuts.

Quick Fixes

My dog’s injury appeared to be on her bottom lip or chin. A tough spot to try to apply pressure or even inspect without reactivating the blood-letting. So, I reverted to that tried-and-true method of applying an ice pack. Just a baggie filled with a little crushed ice and wrapped in a tea towel proved a quick way to stop the bleeding and is an ideal solution for awkward spots like noses, mouths, or paws. The cold narrows blood vessels, and that ultimately slows the flow, reduces swelling, and allows the blood sufficient time to congeal. In the end, it worked, and Ruby’s bleeding lip finally stopped!

There are a couple of caveats to using an ice pack. It’s important to note that they should be applied for just 10 to 20 minutes at a time. The icy cold can also damage healthy tissue, so rather than applying an ice pack directly to a wound, wrap it in a lightweight cloth that will serve as a buffer. For a super-easy solution to over-sized ice-packs, this six-pack of small round ice pads from Newgo is perfect. Each reusable ice pack is ideally sized to treat smaller wounds without damaging surrounding skin.

Combining all three steps: pressure, ice pack, and clean cloths for absorption, should do the trick.

Heavier Bleeding

If you’ve never used a pressure bandage in your life, this simple blood-stopping medical device is a game-changer. Resembling a roll of gauze bandage, it has an elastic quality that wraps around the injury for constant, gentle pressure. And because it self-adheres, you’re not dealing with the sticky adhesive finish found with a typical band-aid – meaning it won’t deteriorate and slip off when exposed to moisture or blood. Look for a breathable, lightweight pressure bandage that you can have on the ready in case your pet sprains a leg or incurs a bleeding injury. I love that they’re highly elastic and don’t stick to fur… because an injured pet already has enough to deal with.

When tackling an injury that is bleeding heavily, use direct pressure, clean cloths, and don’t remove any blood-soaked bandaging as you work to compress the injury. This disrupts the clotting process that has already begun, reopens the wound, and takes you back to square one. Simply put new, clean cloths on top of old and continue pressing.

Above all, take your pet to the vet if you can’t stop the bleeding within a half hour of initiating an intervention. Stitches may be required along with antibiotics and expert bandaging. While we all love to tackle as much as we can at home, know when to step back and bring in the pros.