Abstract
Inflammation of the blood vessel wall has been reported infrequently in dogs, and it may occur without apparent cause (primary vasculitis) or as a pathologic reaction to a range of initiating insults (secondary vasculitis). The aims of our study were to report histologic, clinical, and survival data from a large series of cases with primary and secondary vasculitis, and to compare the clinical parameters and outcome data between groups. Clinical data was collected retrospectively from the medical records of 42 client-owned dogs with a histologic diagnosis of primary or secondary vasculitis, and follow-up information was obtained. Cases were grouped according to clinical and histologic descriptors, and biochemical, hematologic, and survival data was compared between groups. Several forms of primary vasculitis were observed, and vascular inflammation was observed in conjunction with numerous other diseases. Female dogs were more likely to develop primary vasculitis, and serum globulin concentration was greater in dogs with primary vasculitis compared to those with underlying disease. All dogs with primary vasculitis of the central nervous system died or were euthanized shortly after presentation, but other forms of primary vasculitis could be managed effectively. In conclusion, presentation of clinical cases in this series was variable, and there did not appear to be well-defined vasculitic syndromes as described in people.
Highlights
IntroductionVasculitis refers to inflammation of the blood vessel wall that may develop without apparent cause (primary vasculitis), or in response to a range of initiating insults (secondary vasculitis).[19] Vasculitis has characteristic histologic features, including infiltration of the vessel wall by inflammatory cells and development of fibrinoid change,[6] but little is known in dogs of the initiating events and pathologic mechanisms that result in these changes
Vasculitis refers to inflammation of the blood vessel wall that may develop without apparent cause, or in response to a range of initiating insults.[19]
Our study describes the clinical and histologic features of a large number of cases of primary and secondary vasculitis in dogs
Summary
Vasculitis refers to inflammation of the blood vessel wall that may develop without apparent cause (primary vasculitis), or in response to a range of initiating insults (secondary vasculitis).[19] Vasculitis has characteristic histologic features, including infiltration of the vessel wall by inflammatory cells and development of fibrinoid change,[6] but little is known in dogs of the initiating events and pathologic mechanisms that result in these changes. Primary systemic vasculitides are widely reported in human medicine, and a nomenclature system has been formulated to describe the typical features of several distinct forms of the disease.[14] Such vasculitides were traditionally classified according to histological criteria, such as the size of affected vessels and the nature of the inflammatory infiltrate. Clinical manifestations of primary vasculitides in humans depend on the organ(s) affected and the severity and chronicity of vascular changes.[33]
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