Image Source:
Pixabay.comUnderstanding subcutaneous
bleeding
Any kind of bleeding is a cause for concern, especially in your
pets. Unfortunately, subcutaneous bleeding or bleeding under the
skin is a lot more common that dog owners would imagine. The most
common cause for this condition is trauma or injury. Dogs are
very exuberant creatures, which means that they can get hurt
sometimes while playing.Besides injury, some bleeding disorders
can cause this condition as well. The most common is an
autoimmune disorder known as thrombocytopenia. This
immune-mediated disorder causes the dog’s body to target its own
platelets. When the blood vessels under the skin burst, the
bleeding appears in three types – ecchymoses, petechiae, and
bruising. Ecchymoses appears as purple or blue patches under the
skin or on the mucous membrane. Petechiae is characterized by
small purple or red spots on the dog’s skin. Bruising is
typically seen as discolored patches.
What are the causes of bleeding under the skin?
Trauma or injury is the most common cause for subcutaneous
bleeding in dogs. If you notice that your dog suffers from
chronic or excessive bleeding under the skin, the reason could be
one of the conditions listed below.
Immune-mediated thrombocytopenia:
This disorder causes the platelets in your dog’s system to be
destroyed due to his immune system going into overdrive. Other
symptoms include nosebleeds, weakness, lack of appetite,
lethargy, and gastrointestinal bleeding.
Canine thrombopathia:
This disorder prevents your dog’s blood from clotting by
affecting his platelets. Bleeding gums and nosebleeds are
additional symptoms.
Infectious thrombocytopenia:
Another platelet-destroying immune reaction that is caused by
various diseases or virulent microorganisms such as Rocky
Mountain spotted fever, parvovirus, heartworm, leishmaniasis, or
herpesvirus.
Lymphoma:
This is a type of cancer that affects lymphocyte cells, causing
your dog’s immune system to weaken. Additional symptoms include
loss of appetite, lethargy, weakness, and weight loss.
Clotting disorders:
These conditions are brought on by liver toxicity or liver
disease, most commonly caused due to consumption of poisonous
products like rodenticides.
Drug reactions:
Some dogs could have serious negative reactions to certain
medications like aspirin and other non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs. This can affect the dog’s normal
platelet functioning.
How can you treat bleeding under the skin in
dogs?
If your dog’s platelet system is functioning well, there is no
treatment required as the bleeding will stop by itself. If there
is an underlying disorder, you will have to take your canine
friend to the veterinarian for tests, diagnosis, and appropriate
treatment. Your dog may need to stay in the hospital where he
will be given intravenous hydration, electrolytes, blood
transfusion, and even chemotherapy if necessary.If you notice
bleeding under your dog’s skin, take him to the vet as soon as
possible so you can rule out serious underlying causes.
Yeast Dermatitis In Dogs
You’ve probably heard of yeast before, most likely in the context
of baking. However this spore-like form of fungi can also
cause skin infections, and yeast
skin infections -- also known as Malassezia dermatitis or yeast
dermatitis -- are quite common in dogs.
Causes of Yeast Dermatitis in Dogs
Yeast exist peacefully in small numbers on a dog’s skin, in their
ears, and in their anal glands. They are kept in check by a dog’s
immune system and usually do not cause problems. However, when
conditions on the skin change and the yeast is able to multiply
and spread, it can result in a yeast infection.
So what allows for yeast proliferation?
The most common situation is an increase in the amount of oils
produced by the skin, often as a result of an allergic reaction.
Another common cause of increased oil production is seborrhea, a
skin disorder that causes the skin to produce an excess amount of
sebum. In these situations, yeast infections may be recurring
until the underlying condition is addressed.
Dogs with immune deficiencies (often caused by a secondary
disease) may have a difficult time fighting off yeast infections,
and this is also the case for dogs that take immunosuppressive
drugs. These situations can result in chronic yeast
infections
Yeast dermatitis is not contagious and cannot be passed from dog
to dog. However, there are certain dog breeds that are
genetically predisposed to developing yeast infections, and they
include: the Australian
Terrier, Basset
Hound, Chihuahua, Cocker
Spaniel, Dachshund, Lhasa
Apso, Maltese, Poodle, Shetland
Sheepdog, Silky Terrier, and
the West Highland White
Terrier.
Symptoms of Yeast Dermatitis in Dogs
Yeast infections usually begin with itching or a rash, but over
time you will see the following:
- Thickened skin (often referred
to as “elephant skin”)
-
Flaky, crusty skin
- Extreme itching
- Foul, musty odor
- Hyperpigmentation (dark skin)
- Recurring ear
infections
Diagnosing Yeast Dermatitis in Dogs
If your dog is exhibiting any of the above
symptoms, contact your veterinarian.
They will examine your dog and carry out certain tests to confirm
yeast overgrowth. Common testing methods include:
- Cotton swab sample: a moist
cotton swab is rubbed onto the skin to collect yeast organisms
- Impression smear: a microscope
slide is pressed onto the skin to collect organisms
- Scotch tape sampling: a piece
of tape is pressed onto the skin to collect organisms
- Skin scraping: the skin is
scraped with a blade to collect organisms
- Skin biopsy: a piece of skin
is removed and tested for yeast organisms
Treatment for Yeast Dermatitis in Dogs
Once your dog is diagnosed with yeast dermatitis, your
veterinarian will have to decide whether to treat it topically,
orally, or both topically and orally. Generally, dogs with
localized spots of dermatitis receive topical treatment while
dogs with larger infected areas receive oral medication. Oral and
topical treatments are sometimes combined in recurrent cases.
Commonly prescribed topical treatments include shampoos and
spot-on solutions. Certain shampoos, such as Chlorhexiderm and Malaseb,
actually kill yeast, while others -- such as Pyoben -- work to
remove skin oils that contribute to yeast
proliferation. Animax ointment for dogs and
cats may also be prescribed to treat certain types of
infections. Always be sure to ask your veterinarian before using
any new shampoo on a dog with irritated skin.
Popular spot-on treatments for
dogs with only small areas of infection include acetic
acid wipes and mixtures of water and vinegar. If a water and
vinegar mixture is used, the dog may develop a vinegar smell
(though many people prefer this to the musty odor caused by the
yeast infection!)
The most commonly prescribed oral medication for yeast dermatitis
is the antifungal Ketoconazole. Another antifungal, Itraconazole,
may be used when an infection is persistent. These medications
are effective but require long-term dosing (often several months)
and because there are potential side effects, the dog must be
monitored closely.
Whether your dog ends up with an oral or topical treatment, one
of the most important factors in combating yeast dermatitis is
identifying and treating the underlying cause. If a dog has
seborrhea, for example, that condition should be treated to keep
yeast dermatitis from returning.
Prognosis for Dogs With Yeast Dermatitis
The prognosis for yeast dermatitis is generally good, and most
dogs recover fully in a matter of months. However, dogs with
underlying conditions such as allergies may
require regular, ongoing treatment to prevent recurring
infections.
More on Skin Infections
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Causes Of Pyoderma In Dogs And
Cats
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