Familial vasculopathy is a skin disease that runs in families of some dog breeds. Vasculopathy means a problem of the blood vessels. It was first described in young German Shepherd puppies, and family trees of affected dogs point to an inherited cause [1]. A similar skin disease of the blood vessels, possibly linked to the breed, has been reported in Jack Russell type terriers [3].
If your puppy’s footpads swell, lose color or open into sores, see your vet promptly.
Signs
- Footpads: the main skin signs in German Shepherd puppies are swollen footpads that lose their color [1]. In one reported puppy, the central pads of all four feet were swollen, soft and had open sores [2]. Open sores are also called ulcers.
- Ears, tail and nose: the tips of the ears and tail can crust over and develop sores, and patches of the nose can lose color [1]. In the terriers, hair loss and crusted sores were seen on the lower legs and over bony points [3].
- Whole body: some puppies also run a fever and seem tired or dull [1].
For other causes of sores on the ear tips, see ear-tip sores in dogs. For other paw problems, see paw problems in dogs.
When signs start
Signs are first noticed in young puppies [1]. The German Shepherd puppy in one case report was two months old when it was brought to the vet [2].
How vets diagnose it
Your vet will examine your puppy’s footpads, ears, tail and nose. Routine blood tests are usually normal in affected puppies, so they do not confirm the disease on their own [1]. Your vet may take small skin samples (biopsies) to look at under the microscope, where the blood vessel damage can be seen [1, 2]. Other skin diseases can look similar, and the vet will rule them out [1, 3].
Treatment
The cause of the disease is still not known [1]. Your vet will advise on treatment for your puppy.
At home, as directed by a vet:
- keep your puppy’s paws clean and dry, and check them daily;
- do not put creams or ointments on the sores unless your vet tells you to;
- go back for every recheck.
Outlook
Little has been published on how affected dogs do over time. In one reported German Shepherd, the nose lesion had cleared by seven months later; the pads had healed over, though they stayed swollen [2].
A single case cannot predict how one dog will do. Your vet can explain what this means for your dog.
When to see your vet
See your vet promptly if your puppy has:
- swollen footpads [1];
- footpads that lose color or open into sores [1, 2];
- crusts or sores on the ear or tail tips [1];
- a nose that loses color [1];
- a fever or seems unusually tired [1].
The bottom line
Familial vasculopathy is an inherited skin disease first described in German Shepherd puppies, with a similar disease reported in Jack Russell type terriers. It causes footpad swelling and color loss, and crusts or sores on the ear and tail tips. Only a vet can tell it from other causes, and your vet will advise on treatment.
This article is for general information only and does not replace advice from your veterinarian. If your puppy has swollen or sore footpads, see your vet.
Sources
- Weir JA, Yager JA, Caswell JL, et al. Familial cutaneous vasculopathy of German shepherds: clinical, genetic and preliminary pathological and immunological studies. Canadian Veterinary Journal. 1994;35(12):763-769. PubMed abstract. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9132286/
- Fondati A, Fondevila MD, Minghelli A, et al. Familial cutaneous vasculopathy and demodicosis in a German shepherd dog. Journal of Small Animal Practice. 1998;39(3):137-139. PubMed abstract. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9551382/
- Parker WM, Foster RA. Cutaneous vasculitis in five Jack Russell Terriers. Veterinary Dermatology. 1996;7(2):109-115. PubMed abstract. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34645046/