What it is
When a blood vessel is damaged, the body seals it in stages. First a soft plug forms, then a firmer clot is built over it and holds until the tissue heals. In this condition the first plug forms, so the wound seems to have stopped bleeding, but the clot that follows breaks down too soon, and hours or days later the wound starts to bleed again.
In some dogs the tendency is inherited, and it can stay hidden for a long time, because it only shows itself after an injury or a procedure. Day to day the dog may seem completely healthy.
What matters is planning ahead. If your dog, or one of its relatives, has bled late after a procedure, tell your vet before any tooth extraction or other planned procedure. In the days afterwards keep your dog calm, check the wound and the gums, and keep the clinic's number at hand.
Signs you may notice
- Wound starts bleeding again
- Swelling around the wound
- Large, spreading bruise
- Pale gums
- Weakness or lethargy
Hours or days after a procedure, blood may start to ooze from the wound, swelling or a large bruise may appear around it, and the dog may become weak with pale gums. If you see these signs, don't wait: contact a vet right away.
When to see a vet
If a wound starts bleeding again after a procedure, a bruise keeps growing or the gums turn pale, your dog needs a vet immediately.
This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.