You should seek the advice of your veterinarian if your pet is ill as only he or she can correctly advise on the diagnosis and recommend the treatment that is most appropriate for your pet.

It is important that the source of the bleeding is accurately identified and treatment commenced as soon as possible - so see your veterinarian as soon as possible. Because of the location it is usually difficult or impossible to apply first aid measures (such as digital pressure) to stop the bleeding until veterinary help can be obtained.

Description

Fresh blood appearing to come from the mouth can be originating from several structures . The presence of blood can represent frank haemorrhage or blood-staining in association with other material e.g. pus from an abscess.

Gums

Common causes of bleeding from the gums include inflammation - particularly gingivitis along the margin of the teeth, periodontal disease with abscess formation, wounds, cuts, abrasions and ulcerated cancers. Sharp foreign bodies e.g. bone fragments, often cause minor wounds to the gum margins when they are chewed.

See also Dental Disease

Tongue

The tongue is a common site for serious haemorrhage into the mouth. Because the tongue has a good blood supply even small wounds can bleed profusely. Penetrating wounds from carrying sticks in the mouth are not uncommon and these can be very deep, often causing long tears in the soft tissue under the tongue. These wounds can be difficult to see without a thorough, careful examination - even when they are quite large. In uncooperative animals it may be necessary to administer a sedative or general anaesthetic to examine the tongue properly. Because of the natural movement of the tongue wounds often stop bleeding then re-open suddenly - which can be quite alarming for owners. Large accumulations of blood (haematomas) may occur under the tongue following haemorrhage. If a foreign body penetration has occurred it is important to remove it all as well as to stop the haemorrhage.

Cheeks and lips

Wounds to the cheeks and lips are not uncommon following trauma. They usually result in minor haemorrhage and, unless the animal has a blood clotting defect, the bleeding stops spontaneously quite quickly

Cleft palate

Following trauma such as a road traffic accident or a fall from a  height a  fracture might occur in the hard palate (roof of the mouth) or a tear may occur in the soft palate resulting in bleeding into the mouth.

See also Cleft Palate

Blood in saliva

The blood in blood-stained saliva could have originated from any anatomical location in the mouth, including the salivary glands themselves. When originating from the salivary glands the blood is usually in association with infection (pus) . Sometimes saliva is swallowed then retched back regurgitated  or vomited  in which case fresh blood could have originated from the pharynx, oesophagus or possibly even the stomach. Checking the pH of the saliva with litmus paper will help determine if it has been swallowed as far as the stomach or not, because gastric juices (which would be mixed with the saliva) are very acidic.

Coughed up blood

Blood from the lungs can be coughed up and pass out through the mouth. It is usually very frothy due to being mixed with expired air. It is often bright red in colour as it is well oxygenated.

 

Updated October 2013