What is familial
vasculopathy?
The skin abnormalities in familial vasculopathy are due to an inherited
disorder of the blood vessels. The condition has been reported in 3 breeds
of dogs.
How is familial vasculopathy inherited?
Greyhound - mode of inheritance unknown.
German shepherd - mode of inheritance believed to be autosomal recessive.
Scottish terrier - mode of inheritance probably autosomal dominant.
What breeds are affected by familial vasculopathy?
This condition is seen fairly often in the racing greyhound, less
commonly in the German shepherd , and rarely in the Scottish terrier.
For many breeds and many disorders, the studies to determine the mode of
inheritance or the frequency in the breed have not been carried out, or are
inconclusive. We have listed breeds for which there is a consensus among those
investigating in this field and among veterinary practitioners, that the
condition is significant in this breed.
What does familial vasculopathy mean to your dog & you?
Greyhound: Skin lesions appear in dogs aged from 6 months to 5 years.
Initially there is swelling and tenderness over the knee, ankle, and inner
thigh. This progresses to deep ulcers. Occasionally the front legs are also
affected and some dogs develop kidney problems as well. The lesions result
from blockage of small blood vessels.
German shepherd: The condition is first seen in young puppies of
about 6 to 8 weeks of age, often within a week or so after their first vaccination.
Pups are feverish and lethargic with swollen lymph nodes, joints, and feet.
The nose becomes swollen and crusted and there are ulcerated areas on the
ears and tip of tail.
Dogs usually recover by 6 months of age although the footpads remain soft.
Fever and lethargy can reoccur with each subsequent vaccination. (This is
presumed to be a disorder of immune responsiveness.)
Scottish terrier: In the few litters in which this condition has
been seen, there was extensive ulceration of the nose associated with inflammation
of blood vessels. The parents were withdrawn from the breeding programme and
no further cases were reported.
How is familial vasculopathy diagnosed?
The diagnosis is made through a skin biopsy. This is a simple procedure
done with local anesthetic, in which your veterinarian removes a small sample
of your dog's skin for examination by a veterinary pathologist. The biopsy
will show abnormalities in the blood vessels consistent with this condition.
How is familial vasculopathy treated?
There is no specific treatment. The lesions usually heal with routine
wound care, leaving some scarring.
Breeding advice
Affected dogs, their parents and siblings should bot be used for breeding,
even if the lesions heal completely.
FOR MORE
INFORMATION ABOUT THIS DISORDER, PLEASE SEE YOUR VETERINARIAN.
Resources
Scott, D.W., Miller, W.H., Griffin, C.E. 1995. Muller and Kirk's Small Animal
Dermatology. p. 793 W.B. Saunders Co., Toronto.
Copyright © 1998 Canine Inherited Disorders Database. All rights reserved.
Revised: October 30, 2001.
This database is funded jointly by the Sir James
Dunn Animal Welfare Centre at the Atlantic Veterinary College, University
of Prince Edward Island, and the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.
reprinted with permission
********************
Familial
Cutaneous Vasculopathy of German Shepherd Dogs
1. Familial cutaneous
vasculopathy of German Shepherd Dogs is a rare vascular disease affecting
predominantly the pawpads of German Shepherd Dog puppies. Pedigree analysis
indicated probable autosomal recessive inheritance. Most published cases (26
dogs) were seen in Canada, with another from the United States, and another
from Italy.
2. Immunologic attack on collagen has been hypothesized as
a mechanism.
3. A temporal association with puppy vaccination and recrudescence
with repeat vaccination was seen in some of the dogs, similar to some ischemic
dermatopathies.
4. Clinical features--the prime clinical feature is depigmented,
swollen pawpads. Erosions, ulceration, and hair loss with adherent crusting
occur
5. Sites--pawpads are affected preferentially. Similar lesions
may be present on the pinnae, tail tip, and nasal planum.
6. Other clinical signs--lymphadenopathy may occur. Systemic
signs include pain, lethargy, pyrexia, and pain on ambulation.
7. Histopathologically identical lesions were seen in the
pawpads of a Fox Terrier and Miniature Schnauzer with presumed ischemic lesions
affecting the muzzle and ears (T.L. Gross). 'Paw pad vasculopathy' may be
one manifestation of ischemic dermatopathy in some breeds. Coexistent mild
skin lesions may be overlooked.
Source :Ischemic Skin Disease in the Dog by Peter J. Ihrke,
VMD, DACVD Professor of Dermatology, Chief, Dermatology Service, VMTH,
Department of Medicine & Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine,
University of California, Davis, CA, USA
The above information is simply informational.
It's intent is not to replace the advice of a veterinarian nor to assist you
in making a diagnosis of your pet. Please consult with your own veterinarian
for confirmation of any diagnosis. Your pets life may depend on it.
