Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Nose bleeding and sores in German shepherd dogs at 6 years
By Fleischman, Drew A et al.·Published in Veterinary dermatology·2023·School of Veterinary Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Clinical and histopathological features of rostrolateral nasal alar arteriopathy of German shepherd dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Fourteen German shepherds, averaging 6 years old, were brought in for bleeding from the nose, specifically from linear fissures on the sides of their nostrils. After examining tissue samples, vets found enlarged blood vessels and signs of skin infections or autoimmune issues in some dogs. Treatment involved a combination of medications like tacrolimus, prednisone, and antibiotics, with most dogs showing significant improvement. Out of those monitored long-term, five dogs fully recovered, while two had partial success with their treatment.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Dermal arteritis of the nasal philtrum (DANP) has been described in large-breed dogs. OBJECTIVES: To characterise clinically distinct, discrete fissures of the dorsolateral nasal alae associated with severe bleeding in German shepherd dogs (GSDs). ANIMALS: Fourteen privately owned GSDs with linear rostrolateral nasal alar fissures and a histopathological diagnosis of nasal vasculopathy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of medical records and histological slides. RESULTS: Mean age of onset was 6 years. Before biopsy, episodic arteriolar bleeding was noted in 11 of the 14 (79%) dogs. Slide analysis revealed enlarged nasal arterioles with expanded vascular tunics and luminal stenosis beneath ulcers. Histopathological lesions consistent with mucocutaneous pyoderma and/or facial discoid lupus erythematosus were present in 5 of the 14 (36%) dogs. Enlarged arterioles stained blue with Alcian blue and Masson's trichrome stains, consistent with deposition of mucin and collagen, respectively. Immunohistochemical stains (neutrophil myeloperoxidase, IBA1, CD3) were performed. CD3 was negative for all dogs, whilst neutrophil myeloperoxidase and IBA1 occasionally demonstrated intramural neutrophils (3 of the 14 dogs, 21%) or histiocytes (1 of the 14 dogs, 7%) in altered vessels, respectively. All dogs underwent medical management and/or surgical excision. Treatments included tacrolimus, prednisone, ciclosporin-modified, pentoxifylline, antimicrobials and doxycycline/niacinamide. No dogs were treated with antimicrobials alone. For seven dogs with long-term follow-up, treatment response was complete in five (71%) and partial in two (29%), with six of the seven (86%) receiving immunomodulatory treatments to maintain remission. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Nasal alar arteriopathy of GSDs shares histopathological changes with DANP. It has characteristic clinical and histopathological features and appears amenable to immunomodulation.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37221296/