How to stop severe bleeding in dogs?– VOSD Expert Vet Advice™

An injury can occur in a dog from play, from their curiosity, accidents or a dog fight. In most cases these injuries are skin deep, there will be some bleeding but the bleeding will soon stop. In some cases, however, bleeding can be severe especially in the case where a blood vessel has been ruptured. The most prone areas where blood vessels will rupture is the limbs and the ears. In such cases, you need a vet to check the dog ASAP but focussing on stopping the bleeding and preventing the dog from going into shock in case of severe trauma could be equally important. These are the steps you should take

1. Do not probe the wound: Do not try to remove any large or deeply embedded objects from the wound. Do not attempt to probe or clean the wound. 
2. Stopping the bleeding with pressure: 
   1. Use the cleanest available cloth or bandage on the wound as a bandage and press the bandage firmly with your palm to control bleeding. Keep applying pressure until the bleeding stops. 
   2. Once the bleeding stops maintain pressure by binding the wound with a thick bandage or a piece of clean cloth. Don NOT remove the existing gauze or bandage on the wound. If the bleeding seeps through the bandage try and another bandage on top of it and keep the pressure. 
   3. Do not apply direct pressure on an eye injury or an embedded object which might increase the puncture. 
   4. In the case of the bleeding is from the ear flaps – bandage the ear around the skull of the dog. If the injury is the to the limbs raise the injured limb above the level of the heart.
3. Restrict movement: Prevent the dog from running around – this can be done by tying the dog and making it calm with deliberate voice and action. Put the dog on a blanket or cloth to prevent loss of body heat. 
4. Injections and topical cure of bleeding does not stop: Please remember this is not your first option but it may be required you take these steps if pressure alone is not stopping the bleeding. 
   1. A common human hemocoagulant such a Botroclot should be used. Open the bottle and put a few drops or pour over the wound and apply pressure as described before. Repeat up to 4-5 times giving a few minutes between each reapplication to allow bleeding to stop. In case this is not available an injectable hemocoagulatnts uch as Botropase (1ml vial) can be used – simply break the vial and pour over the wound. 
   2. If bleeding does not stop or in case you know how and the bleeding has been severe use a combination of Botropase injection and vitamin K injection (1ml) vials. Give the injection intramuscular in near the site of the injury if to the limbs or the hindlimb. Repeat in 15-20 minutes if required. Remember to keep the pressure on the wound once the injection if given. 

When you get to a vet describe that you can carried out to stop the bleeding including if there is objects and debris on the site.

The information contained in VOSD Expert Vet Advice™ is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical action which is provided by your vet. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information. For any emergency situation related to a dog’s health, please visit the nearest veterinary clinic.