Bleeding can often look more serious than it really is. Many wounds will start to clot within ninety seconds, with a scab forming within hours. That first rush of blood from a wound helps clean out debris and bacteria! But deep wounds — especially ones that damage veins, nerves, and arteries — can be very serious.
An injured vein will bleed dark red blood evenly. An injured artery will spurt bright red blood with each heartbeat. Artery damage is more serious than vein damage, though both can be life threatening.
There are a few places where arteries are relatively close to the surface: in the neck, at the base of the tail, and in the legs. You can use these pressure points to partially close an artery, slowing blood flow and giving the blood a chance to form clots.
- Pressure point in the front leg: you can feel around and find the place where you can feel your pet’s heartbeat — in the armpit. Put your thumb on the outside of the upper leg and your fingers on the inside. Apply pressure to slow bleeding.
- Pressure point in the back leg: with your dog on his back to expose the groin, you can find a pressure point on the inside of the thigh. This is the femoral artery. Use your index and middle finger to apply pressure to slow bleeding.
- Pressure point in the tail: use one hand to lift the tail and apply pressure with your thumb at the base of the tail. For smaller pets, hold the pet steady with one arm and use that hand to hold the tail out of the way. For larger pets, slip an arm under the belly and pull them towards you to keep them steady.
If your pet does not have a broken bone, you can also raise the injured limb to help slow the bleeding. However, if your pet does have a broken bone (or if you aren’t sure), moving the limb can cause extreme pain and make damage worse.
Serious wounds may require stitches externally or internally. If your pet has a serious wound, stop the bleeding and call your veterinarian immediately.