The mouth and gums are full of small blood vessels, so they can bleed a lot! If you see blood on your dog’s gums, gently snoop inside her mouth to find the source of the bleeding—but watch out for those sharp teeth!
Causes
Bleeding gums can result from something as simple as a scratch or a stick wedged between the teeth. Or they may indicate a life-threatening bleeding disorder that requires immediate veterinary care. Other possible causes include severe periodontal disease with loose or abscessed teeth, a broken or missing tooth, a deep cut to the gums or roof of the mouth, a polyp or tumor in the mouth, an autoimmune or infectious disease, liver or kidney failure, and cancer.
Wondering how infections or other diseases can cause bleeding gums? A diseased liver, for example, stops producing certain factors that are critical for blood clotting. Toxins released from failing kidneys can cause bleeding disorders. And other serious medical problems can destroy platelets or inhibit platelet production. (Platelets are the tiny cell fragments needed to form blood clots.)
What you can do at home
Your pet won’t open up and say “ahh,” but with gentle coaxing you might get a peek inside. Look for evidence of a cut or a foreign object wedged in the mouth. If you see a cut, apply direct pressure with a gauze pad or small cloth for five to 10 minutes to stop the bleeding. Remove any objects you find stuck in her mouth, such as sticks or bones. If your dog acts energetic and the bleeding stops, you’re probably out of the woods.
When to call the veterinarian
If you see a missing tooth or puffy gums, call your veterinarian for an appointment. And if you see blood pockets anywhere in your pet’s mouth or if she acts lethargic or exhibits any other abnormal symptoms, get immediate help.
What your veterinarian will do
Your pet will undergo a nose-to-tail physical examination. If the doctor finds a cut deep enough to require stitches, he or she will anesthetize your dog for the procedure. If an oral polyp or tumor is the culprit, your veterinarian will surgically remove it and send the tissue to a laboratory to determine whether it’s malignant or benign. In the case of dental disease, your dog will need a professional dental cleaning and possibly tooth extraction.
If your veterinarian can’t find an obvious cause of bleeding during the examination, he or she may collect a blood sample to check the clotting ability, count the number of platelets and red and white blood cells, and check internal organ function with a serum chemistry profile. Infectious causes may require additional testing, such as blood antibody tests. If the doctor suspects bleeding elsewhere in the body, X-rays or an ultrasound examination may identify the cause. Seriously ill dogs also may need hospitalization.
The good news: Your veterinarian can treat most of the conditions that cause bleeding gums—and you can stop poking around your dog’s mouth.
