It almost always seems to happen when you are taking just one last tiny snip as you are nearly finished with the groom. The dog's tongue pops out at the exact wrong moment and gets an unfortunate nick. Tongues are rich in blood vessels, so even a tiny "scissor kiss" will bleed a lot. The blood mixes with saliva, making it look like there is more bleeding than there is. It's a nerve-wracking mess.
The first step is to take a deep breath and channel your calmest self. The dog will pick up on your anxiety and become more upset. Keep your actions smooth and serene as you proceed.
If the injury is deep, seek veterinary attention immediately. Fortunately, most grooming-related tongue injuries are very minor. Try the following steps to stop the bleeding:
- Try to keep the dog calm. The more anxious it is, the higher its blood pressure will be and the more it will pant, causing the blood to flow more freely.
- Likewise, take the dog to the coolest place possible to reduce panting.
- If the dog will tolerate it, apply firm, gentle pressure to the nick with a dry cloth. Set a timer, and maintain the pressure for a full ten minutes. It will feel like a very long time, but don't be tempted to peek. The trick is to keep even pressure until the blood clots, and every time you let the pressure up, you need to reset that timer and begin again.
- If the last step is not an option (not many dogs are patient enough to allow it), try holding an ice cube to the affected area. The cold will help constrict the blood vessels and allow the blood to clot.
- If the dog doesn't allow this, encourage it to drink water with ice cubes.
- Another often effective trick is to offer the dog some ice cream. Most dogs can't resist, and after licking a little, the bleeding should stop. Some groomers keep small containers of ice cream handy in their freezer. Good for hot day snacks for humans and rare emergency tongue first aid.
- A moistened caffeinated black or green tea bag can be applied to the injury. The tannins in the tea are thought to help reduce bleeding.
- A little white sugar applied to the injury is another option. Some sources say that sugar helps restore homeostasis and reduce bleeding while preventing bacterial growth in the wound.
The warm, moist, blood vessel-rich environment that caused all that bleeding will work to the animal's advantage and heal the nick quickly once the bleeding stops. The pet may need to be re-bathed in some cases. If just a small amount of blood got on the coat, wipe it with hydrogen peroxide and then fluff dry.
By Daryl Conner, MPS, MCG
Daryl Conner has been devoted to making dogs and cats more comfortable and beautiful for almost 40 years. You can find her happily working at FairWinds Grooming Studio with her daughter and infant granddaughter, or typing away at her latest grooming-related article. Daryl was awarded both a Cardinal Crystal Award and Barkleigh Honors Award for journalism. She shares her meadow-hugged antique Maine farmhouse with her practically perfect husband and too many animals.
