Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with immune skin inflammation and high calcium levels
By Waite, Oliver et al.·Published in The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne·2024·Department of Veterinary Clinical Service (Waite, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Immune-mediated pyogranulomatous panniculitis with hypercalcemia in a dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
An 11-year-old neutered male large crossbreed dog was brought in because he was very tired, not eating well, and had a fever for 10 days. Tests showed high calcium levels in his blood and inflammation, but a thorough examination found no infections. A CT scan revealed a skin condition called panniculitis, which is inflammation of the fat layer under the skin. The dog improved significantly after starting treatment with prednisolone, a medication that suppresses the immune system.
People also search for: dog lethargy and fever · high calcium in dogs · dog skin inflammation treatment
Abstract
An 11-year-old neutered male large crossbreed dog was presented for investigation because of a 10-day history of progressive lethargy, hyporexia, and pyrexia. Physical and dermatological examinations were unremarkable. Blood biochemical analysis identified a marked total and ionized hypercalcemia and increased C-reactive protein concentration. Bicavitary computed tomography screening for causes of the dog's clinical and biochemical abnormalities identified a diffuse panniculitis. Histopathological examination of full-thickness skin biopsies was consistent with pyogranulomatous inflammation. Extensive histochemical staining revealed no infectious etiology. Complete clinical and biochemical remissions were observed after starting immunosuppressive, followed by tapering, doses of prednisolone, supporting an immune-mediated etiology. Key clinical message: Sterile, immune-mediated pyogranulomatous inflammation should remain a differential diagnosis for hypercalcemia in dogs. Significant dermatological disease may occur without visible abnormalities.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38952756/