In a West Highland Terrier case with chronic, intermittent epistaxis, the dog is how old?

• A. 10 Years
• B. 13 Years
• C. 8 Years
• D. 5 Years

Answer: (B)

Chronic nasal bleeding in a dog, especially a breed like West Highland White Terrier, points toward a nasal mass such as a tumor. Nasal tumors are most common in older dogs and the chance increases with age, often presenting in the senior years. Westies have a known predisposition to nasal tumors, so a geriatric patient with intermittent epistaxis fits that pattern best. About 13 years is a typical age for this scenario, reflecting the late-life onset of such tumors. While younger dogs can have nasal bleeding from other causes, the combination of this breed and this symptom most strongly supports a 13-year-old as the age.