Vet's Views
Nose bleed may signify serious condition
Q: I have noticed that my seven-year-old Labrador has started to bleed from the nose. Though it was just a few drops and stopped without my intervention, it has happened twice and within a gap of less than a month. Please advice what I should do. Rita Singh
A dog nose bleed could be a result of trauma to the nose, foreign objects stuck in the nose or infections (most commonly fungal infections), but bacterial infections are also possible. More serious causes of a dog nose bleed include tumors or even dental disease. Infections on the roots of the teeth can eat through into the nose and cause nasal bleeding or discharge. Along with diseases that affect the nasal passages or sinuses, a dog nose bleed can happen because of conditions that impact your pet’s entire body, such as high blood pressure. Blood clotting disorders, such as reactions to certain drugs or toxins, as well as tick-borne diseases may cause nose bleeds in dogs. Nose bleeds can have many different causes that range in severity, thus take your pet to a vet immediately. Meanwhile, if your dog suddenly begins to bleed from the nose, before you have had the opportunity to take it to the vet, remain calm. It is of equal importance to keep your pet quiet and relaxed in order to prevent the nose from bleeding more intensely. You may put an icepack on the bridge of your dog’s nose to slow down or stop the flow of blood. Don’t let him paw or scratch the nose.
Q: I just found out that keeping turtles is illegal, where can I release my turtle? Sunil Kumar
Never release a pet turtle into the wild. Turtles kept in captivity may not have the important nutrients they need to survive through the cold winter. In addition, your turtle may not be native to your area and should not interbreed with wild turtles. Captive turtles may also carry diseases or parasites that could harm the local population. Your turtle will die if released in the wrong place. First study what breed it is, look up where it is found, find a Wildlife Society activist to help you and put the turtle back in its right place and get someone to keep a watch and feed it for some days till it finds its way.
Q: I have recently bought a parakeet. It is kept in a cage. But my dog gets all exited and tries to play with it and even scratches the cage. How can I train him? Seema Biswas
The safety of the bird and the prevention of an incident are paramount. Even if your dog is simply showing interest in your bird, rather than exhibiting predatory behavior, he can still accidentally injure your bird in play. Supervision and secure housing for the bird is a must. Birds should be kept in strongly protected cages, high out of the dog’s reach. The cage should be securely attached; it should not be possible for your pooch to jump up and knock it over. As for the dog, by redirecting his focus (through walks and play) and rewarding calm behaviors, you can shift your dog's attention away from the bird. If your pooch remains bird-obsessed or repeatedly tortures your bird, professional intervention is needed. Being an object of prey puts stress on a bird, and rehoming may be the best option if she is repeatedly stalked, lunged at or otherwise tortured by your dog.
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