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  Discussion on Nosebleed from one nostril and bile coloured fluid from the other?
Author Message
Member:
Pirie

Posted on Wednesday, Dec 18, 2002 - 3:01 pm:

Hi,

My 9yo fit and healthy horse had thin bile coloured fluid dripping from her left nostril about a month ago. She seemed well and it quickly stopped (about 10 minutes) so I did nothing about it.

Today, while walking she had a small bright red nosebleed from the other nostril. She has not had any fast work for several months as she is a dressage horse but she is very fit. Since she was only warming up I can't see any way that this nosebleed could have been EIPH. I put her back in her stable and the blood continued to trickle but became progressively more watery before stopping after 30 minutes or so. The total blood loss was minimal, less than 5ml.

About 30 minutes later the other nostril started dripping the bile coloured fluid. There was no sign of blood from this nostril at all but the fluid looked just the same as it had a month earlier. It is the same consistency as water and the same colour as fresh DrOppings. It does not look at all like pus or mucus.

I rang my vet who suggested ignoring it (the nosebleed) unless she has it again but I am worried that there is more going on here than meets the eye.

I every other way my horse is fine and has no respiratory problems at all. She is bright, energetic and acting normally.

Should I be worried about this and should I get her endoscoped even if she doesn't bleed again? Also should I ask for x-rays (in view of the other experiences people have had on this thread?) Finally do you think the nose bleed and the bile coloured fluid are likely to be linked in any way?

Thankyou for any help!

Michelle.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Dec 19, 2002 - 6:42 am:

Hello DrM,
I have to admit it has me stumped...what is the yellow green fluid? Is the fluid clear or cloudy? Some thoughts:
  • Serum (check the protein level)
  • Refluxed Esophageal / Stomach contents (check the ph and look under the scope for food particles)
  • Old degenerating blood turns yellow green (look at it under a microscope)

Could be a small amount of blood collected in the guttaral pouch or sinus that has now broken down? I ahve to admit I have never seen anything like that occur.

Nose bleeds are common in horses and the majority innocuous. But rarely can be an indication of serious disease see the article for the possiblilities. To scope or not to scope...Because so many are of no consequence I wait for the 3rd episode, if the bleeding is mild, but I have read that guttaral pouch infections may not give you any warning at all before the carotid ruptures. Maybe I have been lucky but I have never seen one.
DrO
Member:
Pirie

Posted on Saturday, Dec 21, 2002 - 2:58 pm:

Hi DrO,

Thankyou for your reply. I've been scratching my head about the yellow/green fluid and realised that both episodes occurred after I had been asking my mare to do an obeisance. It is a trick a bit like a bow and she extends both front legs while putting her head down till the front of her face touches the floor. Since she gets carrots for doing it she loves it!

I asked her to do the trick today and as soon as she straightened up there was green/yellow fluid running out of her left nostril. Do you think this makes it most likely to be refluxed eosophageal/stomach contents? It is only ever the left nostril. If it is this is it likely to do any damage?

Thanks for your help!

Michelle.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Dec 22, 2002 - 4:15 am:

I think it is likely, check the ph, that will answer if it is stomach fluid because it will be very acidic. If you do not have any way to do this your local vet could do it with a urine dip stick. Next would be look at it under a microscope on very low power for food particles. If it is stomach fluid, yes it would be irritating to the nasal mucosa.
DrO
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