Petechiae

What are the causes of petechiae in dogs?

Petechiae can have various causes, all of which are related to a disorder of blood clotting or damage to the blood vessel walls. The most common causes include:

• Autoimmune diseases, such as immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), where the immune system attacks and destroys the dog's own platelets. Platelets are responsible for blood clotting and prevent blood from escaping from the blood vessels.
• Infections, such as parvovirosis, ehrlichiosis or leptospirosis, which can lead to a reduction in blood platelets or damage to the blood vessel walls.
• Poisoning, e.g. by rat poison, slug pellets or certain medications that can inhibit blood clotting or impair blood platelet function.
• Cancer, such as lymphoma or leukemia, which can lead to a displacement of the normal blood cells in the bone marrow or to increased destruction of the blood cells in the bloodstream.
• Trauma, such as bites, stings or bruises, which can lead to direct bleeding from the injured vessels.

What are the symptoms of petechiae in dogs?

Petechiae are often difficult to detect as they are usually only a few millimeters in size and can blend in with the dog's fur. They mainly occur in areas where the skin is thin, such as on the ears, stomach or the mucous membranes of the mouth and eyes. Sometimes they can also appear on other parts of the body, such as the legs or back.

In addition to petechiae, dogs with impaired blood clotting can also show other symptoms, such as

• Bruising (hematomas), which are larger blue or purple patches on the skin or mucous membranes
• Nosebleeds (epistaxis), which are caused by bleeding from the nasal mucous membranes
• Bleeding from the gums (gingivorrhagia), which is caused by bleeding from the gums
• Vomiting blood (hematemesis) caused by bleeding from the stomach or upper intestine
• Blood in the stool (melena) caused by bleeding from the lower intestine
• Anemia, which is caused by a lack of red blood cells and leads to weakness, fatigue and pale mucous membranes
• Shock, which is caused by severe blood loss and leads to a drop in blood pressure and impaired organ function

How are petechiae treated in dogs?

The treatment of petechiae in dogs depends on the underlying cause. To determine this, the vet will need to perform a thorough examination of the dog and order various tests, such as:

• A blood test to determine the number and function of the various blood cells
• A urinalysis to look for signs of infection or kidney disease
• An x-ray or ultrasound scan to look for signs of cancer or internal bleeding
• A bone marrow examination to assess the formation and maturation of blood cells

Depending on the diagnosis, the vet may offer different treatment options, such as

• A blood transfusion to compensate for blood loss and improve blood clotting
• Immunosuppression to suppress the immune system and prevent platelet destruction
• Antibiotic therapy to fight infection and reduce inflammation
• Anticoagulation to prevent the formation of blood clots and promote blood circulation
• Chemotherapy or radiotherapy to inhibit the growth of cancer cells and relieve symptoms
• Surgery to remove or repair a source of bleeding

How to prevent petechiae in dogs?

Petechiae in dogs are often unpreventable as they can be triggered by a number of factors that cannot always be controlled. However, there are some measures that can be taken to reduce the risk or detect the disease early, such as

• Having the dog vaccinated regularly to protect it from infectious diseases
• Keeping the dog away from toxic substances, such as rat poison, slug pellets or certain medicines
• Have the dog wormed regularly to protect it from parasites
• Have the dog examined regularly to detect signs of cancer or other diseases
• Take the dog to the vet immediately if petechiae or other signs of bleeding are suspected