Your dog’s daily activities may be affected when its tongue is cut and starts to bleed. As you know, the tongue is fundamental for your dog to eat, drink, lick themselves, and more.
Your dog’s tongue might get cut and start bleeding due to various reasons. These include coming into contact with a sharp item (such as an open can lid in the recycling bin), accidentally licking scissors while being groomed, licking something sharp while out on a walk, or biting by themselves.
How Long It Will Take For Your Dog to Stop Bleed
Typically, minor tongue bleeding will stop by itself, and it may take between 15 to 30 minutes for the bleeding to stop. How long the bleed will stop generally depends on three factors: your dog’s health status, the severity and size of the cut, and the location of the cut.
Your Dog’s Health Status
A dog’s overall health plays a significant role in how quickly it can recover from a tongue cut. Dogs with robust immune systems and good overall health will likely recover faster than those with compromised health or chronic conditions. Meanwhile, dogs with blood clotting disorders may experience prolonged bleeding.
Severity and Size of the Cut
How bad is the cut and bleeding? A dog’s natural clotting process usually stops the bleeding, but if the cut is large or deep, or if the dog has a clotting disorder, the bleeding may persist.
Location of the Cut
Tongue bleeding can happen in various places: underneath, on top, at the back, or at the tip of the tongue.
- Underneath the tongue: This area contains many blood vessels, so a cut here could potentially bleed more and for a longer time than a cut in other areas.
- On top of the tongue: While there are also blood vessels here, they may not be as numerous or as large as those underneath the tongue.
- At the back of the tongue: This area can be more sensitive and difficult to access, which could potentially lead to more bleeding if the dog continues to move its tongue or if it’s difficult to apply pressure to stop the bleeding.
- At the tip of the tongue: This area might bleed less simply because there are fewer and smaller blood vessels compared to the base of the tongue.
Here are some steps to stop a dog’s tongue from bleeding.
1. Take a Deep Breath
First and foremost, remember to stay calm. It’s natural to feel a surge of panic when you see your beloved pet bleeding, but remember, most likely, it’s a minor cut.
Also, Your dog will sense your anxiety which can also make him/her anxious.
Secure a towel and gently wrap it around your dog loosely. Tongues can bleed quite a bit, and if your furry friend is panting or sticking out its tongue and go everywhere, blood might also be everywhere.
2. Keep Your Dog Calm
After you calm down, you also need to calm your dog as it will be difficult to hold the tongue with an active dog. Increased activity or heightened excitement can cause a rise in blood pressure, and potentially increase the bleeding. Therefore, keep your dog as relaxed as possible during this time.
3. Apply Pressure
Applying gentle pressure to the bleeding area to slow down and finally stop the bleeding. Hold the dog’s tongue out of the mouth and gently press it against the cut. Hold it there for a few minutes, and avoid the temptation to keep checking if the bleeding has stopped. Keep applying pressure until the bleeding stops.
This also helps to stop the blood from going down the dog’s throat, which could upset their stomach.
4. Use a Bandage
If you can’t stop the bleeding by applying pressure, you can try to use a bandage. Place the bandage in the dog’s mouth, allowing the tongue to rest on it. Look out for the dog to make sure the bleeding doesn’t continue.
5. Use Ice
You can also apply an ice cube directly to the wound to help slow the bleeding as cold restricts the blood flow, constrict the blood vessels, stop bleeding, and help clotting. You can also do this by letting your dog eat ice cream or chew on ice.
6. Prevent Licking
Dogs tend to lick their wounds, which can slow the healing process or even worsen the wound – such as infection. Try to prevent your dog from doing so.
7. See a Vet
Go to the veterinarian immediately if it is a serious cut, or bleeding cannot stop and last 30 minutes after trying these methods.
Your vet may help your dog stop the bleeding by cleaning the wound and using stitches. They can also give advice on how to protect the tongue and promote recovery, such as feeding your dog soft food to prevent pain and some methods to avoid infection.
Final Thought
A dog’s tongue injury usually heals quickly after bleeding. You need to monitor your dog closely and seek veterinary help if the bleeding doesn’t stop after 30 minutes.
A vet can provide appropriate advice and treatment based on your dog’s cut and bleeding situation.
