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My dog has a bleeding nose lump. Should I sedate him for diagnosis?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Male | neutered | 9 years and 9 months old

Lump on dogs nose, three to four weeks-starting to bleed small amount along with clear fluid-slow release.. Had him at the vet but he would not allow the vet to have a look. They want to knock him out and have a look but im afraid it might be an abscess and dont want to knock him out if its just that. important to mention to is that he has over the years had a discharge from his left nostril-im hoping its just a coincidence!

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1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on October 19th, 2017

Poor Billy! Typically when an animal has an abscess, they are put under sedation so it can be drained and flushed correctly and sterilely. This is not possible to do when a dog is fully awake. Looking at the pictures of the lump on his nose, I would be very concerned that it is something much more than an abscess, such as a malignant tumor. Unfortunately that's always a possibly in a senior dog. Given that he won't let the vet take a good look at it awake, I do think it's best to have him sedated so the vet can take a proper look at it and can take a biopsy of it as needed. I hope this helps!

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