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===Description===
==Introduction==
Vasculitis is an '''inflammatory disease of blood vessels'''.
It is characteristed histologically by the accumulation of leukocytes within and around the vessel wall. It can be of neutrophilic (leukoclastic/non-leukoclastic), lymphocytic, eosinophilic, granulomatous or mixed cell type.
It is a combination of '''type III and type I''' hypersensitivity reactions.
Endothelial damage by an infectious agent, parasite infestation, eridotoxin or immune complex deposition initiates '''local inflammation, neutrophil accumulation and complement activation'''. Neutrophils release lysosomal enzymes leading to necrosis of the vessel wall, thrombosis and haemorrhage.
'''Any animal can be affected''', and the clinical significance depends on the number, size and type of vessels affected, and the presence of thrombosis, ischaemia and infarction.
====History & Clinical Signs====
==Aetiology==
'''Idiopathic (50% of cases)'''
'''[[Systemic Lupus Erythematosus]]'''
'''Cold agglutinin disease'''
'''[[Frostbite]]'''
'''[[Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation]]'''
'''Lymphoreticular neoplasia'''
'''Drug reactions'''
'''Post-vaccine reactions'''
'''Spider bites'''
'''Immune-mediated disease'''
'''Erythema nodosum-like panniculitis'''
'''Rheumatoid arthritis'''
'''Staphylococcal hypersensitivity'''
'''Food hypersensitivity causing urticarial vasculitis'''
'''[[FeLV]] and [[FIV]]-associated vasculitis''' in cats
==Clinical Signs==
Clinical features of vasculitis are variable and depend on the vessels involved.
It can present as: purpura, haemorrhagic bullae, necrosis and punched-out ulcers
It often affects the '''extremities''' such as the '''ear tips, tail''', lips, paws and oral mucosa, and can be painful.
The systemic signs usually reflect the organ involved (hepatopathy, arthropathy, myopathy..)
There may also be '''vague systemic signs of illness''': lethargy, lymphadenopathy, vague pain, pyrexia and weight loss.
Signs associated with '''immmune-mediated disease''' include: thrombocytopaenia and polyarthropathy.
'''Breed-related''' vasculitis include: familial cutaneous vasculopathy of German Shepherd Dogs, neutrophilic leukoclastic vasculitis of Jack Russell Terriers, Ear Margin Vasculitis/seborrhea in Dachshunds.
==Differential Diagnoses==
Ear margin seborrhea, chemical and thermal burns, hepatocutaneous syndrome, erythema multiforme, dermatomyositis and sepsis
==Diagnosis==
'''Immunodiagnostics''' to consider include: ANA titre, Coombs test, and cold agglutinin test.
'''Haematology, biochemistry and urinalysis''' may reveal a systemic disease.
Lesions should be '''biopsied'''. Histopathological findings will include: neutrophilic, lymphocytic, eosinophilic, granulomatous or mixed cells in and around the vessels. There may be vascular necrosis and fibrin thrombi. Perivascular haemorrhage and oedema can occur.
==Treatment==
Management depends on the '''underlying cause''', and treatment of this is the first priority.
'''Antibiotics''' may be a first line of therapy if drug reaction is not suspected.
'''Immune-modulatory drugs''' which may help control an immune-mediated disease with concurrent vasculitis include: prednisolone, sulfasalazine, chlorambucil.
These should always be used until remission and then doses decreased to the lowest possible dose for controlling clinical signs.
Prognosis is often '''guarded''', and depends on the underlying cause.
==References==
Merck and Co (2008) '''Merck Veterinary Manual''' ''Merial''
Weiss, D. (2011) '''Schalm's veterinary haematology''' ''John Wiley and Sons''
Helton Rhodes, K. (2011) '''Blackwell's Five-Minute Veterinary Consult Clinical Companion: Dermatology''' ''Wiley-Blackwell''
Day, M. (2010) '''Veterinary Immunology''' ''Manson Publishing''
[[Category:To Do - Helen]]
[[Category:To Do - Review]]
[[Category:Vascular Diseases - Dog]][[Category:Vascular Diseases - Cat]]
[[Category:Vascular Diseases - Dog]][[Category:Vascular Diseases - Cat]]
[[Category:Arterial_Pathology]][[Category:Venous_Pathology]][[Category:To_Do_-_Cardiovascular]]
[[Category:Arterial_Pathology]][[Category:Venous_Pathology]][[Category:To_Do_-_Cardiovascular]]