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