Domestic Pets

Injury Guide

NASAL AREA

In animals the nose is very prominent and exposed,so nasal injuries are fairly common both in dogs and cats

CAUSES

FALLS FROM HEIGHTS: Injury to the nose most commonly occurs when dogs and cats fall from heights,from windows and balconies,off roofs and out of trees

CUTS FROM SHARP OBJECTS: Especially from thorny bushes,barbed wire etc.

OTHER COMMON CAUSES: As a result of blows,sustained during fights with other animals or as a result of car accidents

ASSESSMENT

EXTERNAL EXAMINATION: Examine the skin of the nose to see if there are any of the following signts

ABRASIONS OR TEARS: Abrasions and tears will usually be easy to see as the hair over the nose of most animals is short and sparse

BLEEDING UNDER THE SKIN: If the injury is severe,it may cause bleeding under the skin

DAMAGE TO BONE: Violent blows to the nose may cause varying degrees of damage to the bony structures underneath.In extreme cases, the muzzle can be deformed.The injured part quickly swells

NOSEBLEED: Check whether blood issues from the nostrils (Epistaxis) and whether breathing through the nose is impeded

TREATMENT

STOP BLEEDING: With bleeding wounds or severe bruises (with or without loss of blood through the nostrils) stop the bleeding and swelling by applying an ice pack,holding it on to the nose form some minutes

If the part is very painful - apply the source of cold very gently and avoid prolonged forceful pressure on the part which will increase the animal's discomfort

CLEANSING: Clean and disinfect the wounds and if there is blood around or within the nostrils,remove it with a gauze pad moistened in a non-alcoholic antiseptic solution (e.g. Hydorgen Peroxide) until the part is clean

CALL VET: If you find deep wounds and severe damage with heavy bleeding,it will be necessary to consult the vet at once

FOREIGN BODIES IN THE NOSE

Foreign bodies are sometimes found in the nose, particularly in larger breeds of dogs that have wide nostrils

CAUSES

PIECES OF PLANTS,SEEDS, SMALL STONES: These foreign bodies are usually breathed in by accident.If they are small and not pointed,they will often come out through sneezing.You will also notice a degree of discomfort because they generally cause increased production of nasal secretions

GRASS AWNS OR FRAGMENTS: More dangerous are grass awns or their fragments which,because of their shape, will not come out and are driven further into the nasal cavitiy

ASSESSMENT

SIGNS: Foreign bodies in the nasal cavities cause much distress and produce repeated sneezing and discharge from the nose. The discharge is generally copious and often involves one nostril only

If these signs are noticed,during or after a walk through tall grass, the presence of a foreign body is suggested

EXAMINATION: Examine the nostrils with care,using a torch with a well focused beam. Clean way any mucus and try to locate the foreign body,.Bear in mind that if it is deep inside,it will not be visible

TREATMENT

EXTRACTING FOREIGN OBJECT: If the foreign body can be easily found,try to remove it by seizing it with tweezers with blunt points

Hold the animal quite still with the aid of a helper

Exercise great care and to not attempt to probe deeply

If the foreing body cannot be seen,but signs suggest that it is there, a vet must be consulted without delay

NOSEBLEEDS

CAUSES

Nosebleeds can be the result of injuries,but they may also be symptomatic of other problems, such as a nasal infection that has eroded the blood vessels, blood disorders,a foreign body in the nasal passage or tumors

TREATMENT

1. Keep the dog as quiet as possible

2. Apply an ice pack to the nose to reduce the bleeding

3. A dog with a nosebleed should therefore be taken to a veterinarian immediately once the above steps have been taken

4. Your veterinarian will administer hypotensive agents to lower the dog's blood pressure

5. and nasal packing soaked in epinephrine to constrict the blood vessel in th nose

6.This will usually bring the bleeding under control so that the problem can be diagnosed and any necessary further treatment prescribed

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