Help - Dried Blood All Over Sam

[djsgreys]

Just got in from work about 90 minutes ago. Let the hounds, they all did their business - nothing seemed unusual. Then they came in and I got their dinners ready. Daisy is a picky eater and I often end up sitting beside her until she eats. As I was sitting there, Sam walked over towards me and I noticed. There was dried blood on his chest, down one leg and a little around his mouth. I washed him down with cool water, trying to find the cut - Sam has really thin skin and I thought I would be heading in with him to get stitches. Nothing - no cut - not even a little scratch.

 

Started looking further and there was dried blood on two areas of the couch - quite a bit of blood. Two spots that were at least three inches in diamter and blood smeared on both arms of the couch. I checked his mouth - no sign of bleeding - gums looks a little paler than normal - but nothing serious. Checked his muzzle - no sign of blood there either.

 

He seems fine - a little snappy with the others maybe but other than that fine. Ate supper, is resting on the couch, no apparent uncomfort when I checked him out all over. Stomach not distended - everything seems normal.

 

Do I get him to the e-vet - I wouldn't even know what to tell them to look for. Does anyone have any ideas where the blood could have come from? I'm stumped and have to admit, more than a little scared!

[kamsmom]

If it were me I wouldn't go to the Evet unless you can find something. Just keep an eye on him for tonight. Could he have had a bloody nose?

[Burpdog]

Did you check the others too?

 

Wait a few hours and check him again. Punctures have a habit of opening up. It could be his mouth and you may never find it. I would drop him at the vet tomorrow and have them take a look.

 

Of course, if anything changes, take him to the evet.

 

 

[Guest Energy11]

" ... gums looks a little paler than normal - but nothing serious..."

 

 

Hello! I am sorry you had to come home to this, and yes, it is scary!

 

Bleeding without signs of trauma (a cut or gash, etc.), obviously isn't normal. Did you check his feet, in case of a cut pad or pulled out nail? Did you check his mouth for a cut tongue, broken tooth, etc. ?

 

If another head to toe survey reveals NOTHING obvious, I might get to a vet. Your statement about the gums being paler than normal, worries me a bit. This might indicate internal bleeding. Him being "snappy" toward the others, could indicate pain, as well.

 

This is a tough one to call, but, I'd check everything over again, head to toe, inside the ears, mouth, end of tail, and, go from there.

 

Sending lots of hugs and prayers your way! Dee and The Five

[LuvAPuppy]

toenails? could he have popped a nail off the quick?

[Houndtime]

One time we came home and Brandy was covered, I mean covered in blood. Both she and John E were crated at the time. We washed her down with cloths and could find nothing. Gave them dinner and John E started wagging his tail and the blood went flying. He had ripped the skin and fur from his undertail somehow in the crate; wound up losing about an inch. So, I am saying, maybe it isn't Sam.

[Guest Energy11]

One time we came home and Brandy was covered, I mean covered in blood. Both she and John E were crated at the time. We washed her down with cloths and could find nothing. Gave them dinner and John E started wagging his tail and the blood went flying. He had ripped the skin and fur from his undertail somehow in the crate; wound up losing about an inch. So, I am saying, maybe it isn't Sam.

 

 

Good point! Guess a good head-to-toe survey, inside the mouth, ears, and the feet, is in order for all the houndies in Sam's house !

[KF_in_Georgia]

Wet a towel (or a paper towel) and wipe him down carefully all over (don't scrub hard or anything). As you wipe, keep checking the towel for new signs of blood. The dampness of the towel might dislodge (or dissolve) a slight scab, and then you'd be able to see what needs to be done.

 

Try a damp paper towel or cotton ball to wipe inside his mouth.

 

Oh, and check his ears. And look around the house to see if you see splatter. Small spots of blood would indicate head or tail--a part of the body that could be shaken and sling blood everywhere.

 

If you find nothing on him, check the others, especially their feet, heads, and tails. Sam might be carting around some transferred blood.

[djsgreys]

I just checked all the other hounds - nothing - not a scratch or any blood on any of them. I have rechecked Sam - can't see anything on his tongue, his tail, his paws are good and can't see anything in the mouth. He seems to be resting comfortably - nothing seems to hurt when I check him over.

[Guest Energy11]

I just checked all the other hounds - nothing - not a scratch or any blood on any of them. I have rechecked Sam - can't see anything on his tongue, his tail, his paws are good and can't see anything in the mouth. He seems to be resting comfortably - nothing seems to hurt when I check him over.

 

 

You've done a great job!

 

I'd just keep a VERY close eye on Sam, and, eveyone else ... if something changes, like panting, pacing, whining, GUMS getting paler, etc., then it is time to see the vet. If all goes well tonight, and I surely pray it does, then, a vet visit might be worth it for your and Sam's peace of mind.

 

Sending many hugs and prayers to you!

[Guest greytbookert]

oh gosh, I have no idea. you seem to have checked everything that I would have checked. I would keep a very close eye on him. It could be as simple as a little cut that isn't cooperating by hiding. Sending prayers that it is nothing!

[greysmom]

Deb, I would be worried and scared too with that amount of blood. Though thorough check of everyone showing nothing is good. Just watch them all carefully I suppose is the only thing to do. If it's any consolation, it's always the smallest cuts that bleed the most, it seems.

 

Good thoughts coming your way.

[Houndtime]

One more thought; a few weeks back the Fuzz Man was leaking bright red blood from his penis. He had blood down his legs, chin and back. Check that too.

[CaliforniaGreys]

Hope he's ok Deb. My first guess would be his mouth

[GreyKarma]

This is just a thought....check the inside of his nose...maybe a wet q-tip to see if any dried blood.

 

One Christmas my Angel Molly turned her head too fast into the Christmas Tree and she cut the inside of her nostril on a branch......blood everywhere. I came home to blood on the walls, floors, and all down the side of my tan wingchair (thank God for peroxide)where she sat waiting for me to come home.

 

Hope all is well tonight.

[ahicks51]

You first noticed the blood some time after you let them back in, yes? Is the blood on the sofa and the hound the really thick blood characteristic of greyhounds? Or is there a chance it's from some other species, like a rabbit or a bird from the yard?

[Guest FullMetalFrank]

Frank nicked the back of one of his hocks once, right at the bend... Came home to quite a bit of blood and absolutely no sign of injury. I might not have ever found the source if he hadn't knocked the teensy scab off while I was home and started bleeding again!

[Guest Annie]

Gosh Deb, you guys have been through so much! No thoughts to add to the good advice you have already been given...just sending prayers.

[Fiona3]

This is just a thought....check the inside of his nose...maybe a wet q-tip to see if any dried blood.

 

One Christmas my Angel Molly turned her head too fast into the Christmas Tree and she cut the inside of her nostril on a branch......blood everywhere. I came home to blood on the walls, floors, and all down the side of my tan wingchair (thank God for peroxide)where she sat waiting for me to come home.

 

Hope all is well tonight.

 

I thought of this as well. Callie tangled with a squirrel a few months ago and received a cut up in her nostril. The amount of blood was incredible with no sign of a scratch or cut anywhere visible on her. She spent some time at the vet where they treated her for the bleeding (which eventually stopped) and gave her a booster Rabies shot. I was out in the yard at the time with the dogs so I was aware of what had happened to her.

 

You've done a great job of looking for the source. Keep us posted on how your pup is doing.

[CaliforniaGreys]

How's Sam doing this morning?

[Guest greytmiles]

You first noticed the blood some time after you let them back in, yes? Is the blood on the sofa and the hound the really thick blood characteristic of greyhounds? Or is there a chance it's from some other species, like a rabbit or a bird from the yard?

 

This is what I was thinking too...

Maybe check the backyard for any 'evidence'.

Hope he's ok!

[Guest MyBoys]

Our Murphy got a rabbit the other day, I was outside with them but it all happened so quick, when it was over he did have blood on him which looked like he had been in a fight

[Guest greytbookert]

How is Sam this morning?

[seeh2o]

Checking in on Sam this morning, too.

[laurie]

I didn't read all the responses, and maybe someone already mentioned this as a possibility...the same thing happened to Rose. Turns out she was snacking on baby bunnies out in the yard. It's that time of year!