Description

Epistaxis means bleeding from the nostrils. Blood may be visible down one nostril (unilateral) or both nostrils (bilateral).

Cause

The lining of the nose is a protective barrier against invasive bacteria and it is well supplied with blood which contains white blood cells, an essential component in these defense mechanisms. It is not surprising therefore that the lining of the nose is easily damaged by trauma and the presence of pathogenic infections.

Common causes of epistaxis in animals include :

Direct trauma e.g. road traffic accidents

Foreign bodies e.g. grass awns

Infections e.g. aspergillosis

Cancer

Strenuous exercise (e.g. athletic horses)

Diagnosis

Accurate diagnosis usually requires XRays of the nasal chambers. In large animals (e.g. horses) the use of endoscopy (called rhinoscopy) may be helpful, and retrograde flushing of the nasal chambers and analysis of the samples ejected is also a useful diagnostic tool in most species. Culture of nasal swabs is needed for bacterial, viral, and fungal infections.

Differentiating between cancers and primary infections can be difficult in some cases. In others the gross distortion of the nose that intranasal tumours cause, as well as clinical signs associated with local spread to the brain, make the diagnosis easier.

Treatment

Treat the underlying cause.

Last updated : October 2013