Inflammation of the Skin Blood Vessels in Dogs

Health problems with your dog can actually be determined from his skin, which is a sort of reflection of his well-being. Itching, redness, and swelling are a few signals there may be an underlying illness waiting to be discovered.

There are many causes and determining factors with vasculitis, so it is essential to bring your dog to see the veterinarian rather than treat it at home. Some home remedies can cause the situation to get worse or mask a more serious illness.

Inflammation of the skin blood vessels (cutaneous vasculitis) is presented as swelling, redness, rash, and possibly itching. When the blood vessels in the skin are inflamed, they become weak, stretched out, and enlarged. This causes redness, swelling, rash, itching, and sometimes pain. This is most common in the skin of the tips of the ears, nose, tail, paws, scrotum, and genital area.

• Itching
• Redness
• Swelling
• Flaky skin
• Licking
• Lumps
• Hair loss
• Decreased appetite
• Raised purpura (purple blotches)
• Hives
• Plaques
• Fever

Older dogs and those with compromised immune systems due to another illness are more susceptible to Inflammation of the skin blood vessels. It is also more common in German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Dachshunds, Jack Russell & Scottish Terriers, and Greyhounds. This may be of a genetic nature. Vasculitis caused by vaccines more commonly affects silky-haired small dogs, such as Maltese, Bichon Frise, Pekingese, Poodles, and Yorkshire & Silky Terriers. This is also suspected to be genetic. There are many other causes of cutaneous vasculitis such as:

•  Infection
• Bacterial
• Fungal
• Viral (Coronavirus, Parvovirus)
• Protozoan (Sarcocystis, Leishmania)
• Rickettsia (Rickettsia, Ehrlichia, Babesia, Anaplasma)
• Allergy (food or insect bites)
• Genetic
• Insect bites (fleas, mites)
• Dermatitis
• Immune system disorder (Discoid lupus)

Your veterinarian will do a thorough examination of the affected part of your dog’s skin as well as a complete overall examination. He will look for any redness, scratches, rashes, or bald spots that will give him an idea of what lab tests to run. It is important that you have all of the details of your dog’s condition leading up to this visit to the clinic, such as when it started, if it has spread or gotten worse, any medicines or home remedies you have used, if you started a new food, and how your dog’s behavior has changed. Some of the lab tests the doctor will run are:

•  CBC with differential
• Rickettsial screening
• Skin scraping
• Fungal culture
• Bacterial culture
• Urinalysis

 The veterinarian may also decide to do an intradermal skin test for allergies. Your vet will inject tiny amounts of certain allergens in the surface of your dog’s skin to see if there is any reaction. If this does not turn up any positive results, he will have to do a skin biopsy, which can show thinning or ulcerated skin, abnormal or cancerous cells. These tests are all virtually painless for your pooch, but if he is uncomfortable or anxious, your veterinarian may decide to sedate him.

If the cause of the inflammation of the skin blood vessels is determined to be fungal, bacterial, or microbial, the veterinarian can treat him with an ointment, antibiotic, or an injection. He will also send you home with medicine (oral or topical) to continue treating until your follow-up examination.

 If the vasculitis is caused by allergies, whether it is from an insect bite, vaccination, food, or of unknown origin; your veterinarian will treat your dog with prednisolone, or another form of steroid medication and skin ointment.

 An autoimmune disease, such as lupus, could also be the reason for your dog’s skin condition. Discoid lupus is a disease that usually only affects the skin around the nose, eyes, ears, and genitals. The plaques and lesions caused by discoid lupus can turn into ulcers, which can destroy the tissues of the skin. With proper care, the outlook of discoid lupus is excellent. Treatment includes steroids, vitamin E, and omega-3 acids as well as staying out of the sun and using proper sunscreen.

Regardless of the cause of the inflammation of the skin blood vessels, the most important thing is to follow the veterinarian’s instructions. If he prescribed any medication, be certain to continue to use them until they are gone unless otherwise directed. Even if it seems like the vasculitis is gone and your dog is better, you should still continue to use the medication as directed.

 Your veterinarian may want a follow-up examination in seven to ten days to be sure the inflammation is gone. The prognosis for vasculitis is good as long as you finish the medication and follow the veterinarian’s instructions.