Bruising in dogs can be an insignificant finding or a sign of a serious underlying condition. There are several types of bruising that can occur, and the cause can vary from dog to dog. In this article, we will discuss the different types and causes of bruising in dogs. If your dog has any unexplained bruising, it is important to take him or her to the veterinarian for an evaluation.
What is bruising and what are the different types of bruising in dogs?
Bruising is the result of bleeding under the skin. It can be difficult for dog owners to differentiate bruising from erythema. Erythema is defined as redness of the skin that will blanch with pressure, whereas bruising will not blanch as there is blood loss from the capillaries and vessels.
The most common types of bruising in dogs are petechiae and ecchymosis. Petechia is small, pinpoint hemorrhages that can be seen most commonly on the mucous membranes or gingiva in the mouth. Ecchymosis or purpura is a larger area of patchy bruising and is defined as bleeding into the dermis and subcutaneous tissue.
What are the most common causes of bruising in dogs?
There are several potential causes of bruising in dogs. The most common include trauma, thrombocytopenia, bleeding disorders, and vasculitis.
Trauma is a common cause of bruising and can occur from any type of injury, whether it be accidental or due to surgery.
Thrombocytopenia is a condition where there is a decrease in platelets, which are essential for blood clotting. This can lead to easy bruising and bleeding. Causes of thrombocytopenia include infectious agents, autoimmune disease, cancer, and certain medications such as phenobarbital and cephalosporins. Thrombocytopenia typically causes petechial hemorrhages, compared to ecchymotic hemorrhages.
Bleeding disorders are another potential cause of bruising in dogs. These disorders can be either acquired or congenital. Congenital bleeding disorders are present at birth, whereas acquired disorders develop later in life. Hemophilia A and von Willebrand disease are two examples of congenital bleeding disorders that may lead to bruising. Acquired bleeding disorders can be caused by a variety of things, such as liver disease, kidney disease, and certain types of cancer.
Bleeding disorders typically result in larger hemorrhages such as ecchymosis or purpura.
Vasculitis is an inflammation of the blood vessels and can lead to bruising. It can be caused by a variety of things, including infection, autoimmune disease, drug reactions, food hypersensitivity, tick-borne disease, or insect bites or stings.
Cancer is another potential cause of bruising, although it is not as common as some of the others. Cancers such as lymphoma and leukemia can lead to bruising due to the abnormal proliferation of cells and increased destruction of platelets.
As you can see, there are several potential causes of bruising in dogs. If your dog has any unexplained bruising, it is important to take him or her to your veterinarian for an evaluation. Your vet will likely perform a physical examination and may recommend additional testing, such as bloodwork or imaging, to help determine the cause of the bruising.
Can the location of bruising in dogs offer suggestions as to the cause?
The location of bruising can sometimes offer clues as to the underlying cause. For example, bruising on the mucous membranes or gingiva in the mouth is often seen with thrombocytopenia. Bruising that occurs over a large area of the body, especially on the underside or belly may be seen with systemic disease or vasculitis. Having bruising that affects the pinnae (ear flaps) is often suggestive of vasculitis.
Bruising in dogs can be a sign of several different conditions, some of which are quite serious. The most common causes of bruising in dogs include trauma, thrombocytopenia, bleeding disorders, vasculitis, and certain types of cancer. If your dog has any unexplained bruising, it is important to take him or her to your veterinarian for an evaluation. Your vet will likely perform a physical examination and may recommend additional testing, such as bloodwork or imaging, to help determine the cause of the bruising. We hope this information is helpful and please contact your veterinarian if you have any questions.