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Epistaxis in Cats

A bleeding nose can be the result of several conditions. One such condition is coagulopathy — a condition where the blood is not coagulating as it should. There are several other possible causes for nose bleeds: a wound or injury that is not apparent, such as from a snake bite; disease, like cancer in an organ, leukemia, or a number of other diseases. Regardless of the cause, this is a condition that needs to be checked out by your veterinarian promptly.

Diagnosis

It will probably take several tests to determine what is causing the bleeding. Your veterinarian will first want to know if your cat is suffering from anemia, and if so, how critical it is. A complete blood profile will be conducted, including a chemical blood profile, a complete blood count, and a urinalysis. Other tests will be used to determine whether the blood platelets are normal, and whether there is bone-marrow disease. A coagulation profile will be conducted to determine whether the bleeding is caused by a clotting problem.

A thyroid test will also be performed, so that your doctor may determine whether there is evidence of Rocky Mountain spotted fever. You will need to give a thorough history of your cat's health and recent activities. Some x-rays may be required, as well as a computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan.