Idiopathic cutaneous vasculitis in a Rottweiler

A 2 year old female spayed Rottweiler, presented for chief complaint of swollen limbs. Nodular swellings were also observed on the pinnae. Physical exam findings included severe pitting edema in the left hind limb, extending from the stifle to the distal limb. There was also edematous swelling surrounding the right tarsus, both carpi and pinnae. Fever and popliteal lymphadenopathy were observed. Hematology revealed a mild normocytic normochromic anemia and a mild mature neutrophilia. On serum chemistry there was a slightly decreased ALT, slightly elevated amylase, slightly elevated creatine kinase, and low iron. Other diagnostic tests performed included anti-nuclear antibody titer, tick borne disease titers, leptospirosis titers, radiographs, abdominal ultrasound and fine needle aspirates. Skin biopsies of the affected areas revealed a neutrophilic (variably leukocytoclastic) to mixed vasculitis of deep dermal and subcutaneous vessels with marked lymphedema. This is a case report of a Rottweiler diagnosed with idiopathic cutaneous vasculitis that responded to prednisone therapy