Petechial Hemorrhaging in Dogs

If you ever observe any discoloration on your dog's body, a petechia just could be the culprit. Petechiae in dogs refer to hemorrhages -- blood loss -- that look a lot like tiny bruises. The emergence of petechiae in canines calls for prompt veterinary attention.

Petechiae are little pinpoint hemorrhages. They generally have lengths of between 1 and 2 millimeters. Petechiae are usually reddish-purple in coloration. If you put a little tension on petechiae, they don't become paler. Petechiae can show up both on dogs' mucous membranes and on their skin. Dogs sometimes develop petechiae on the interior portions of their mouths. They're commonly associated with bleeding ailments. Blunt injuries, however, can also sometimes bring upon petechiae. Many different things can potentially trigger bleeding disorders in the canine realm. These things include autoimmune disorders, various toxins and use of certain medications, just to start.

Subtle cases of hemorrhaging trigger the emergence of petechiae on dogs' bodies. Petechiae generally arise as a result of trauma that causes bleeding just below the specific part of the body. This also applies to ecchymoses in canines. Ecchymosis, which is bruise-induced discoloration, pertains to more substantial portions of the skin. Some dogs develop petechiae soon after experiencing small wounds. Some of them develop petechiae seemingly out of the blue. Be careful if you see a petechia on your pet without him having experienced any injury. Notify a veterinarian without delay if a mysterious petechia shows up anywhere on your pooch.

Petechial hemorrhaging doesn't usually involve too many symptoms. Apart from seeing conspicuous yet small areas of discoloration of your dog's mouth or skin, you might not observe any other telling indications of petechiae. This, too, also applies to ecchymoses. Schedule an appointment with the veterinarian, however, as soon as you suspect the presence of a petechia on your pet, even if you don't have much to go on.

Petechiae are often symptoms of specific medical ailments in dogs. If your pooch has thrombocytopenia, which is characterized by insufficient numbers of platelets, then he might display a petechia as a symptom. Other common indications of thrombocytopenia in canines include exhaustion, feebleness, zero appetite, eye hemorrhaging, nosebleeds and bloody urine. Petechiae sometimes signify blood disorders in general, along with ecchymoses and anemia, the latter being an ailment that involves inadequate red blood cells. Since petechiae frequently signify blood disorders, they always require timely veterinary attention.