The dark side of bruising

Watson here, and I just noticed a giant bruise on mom’s leg. I wondered what causes bruises and if dogs get bruises like humans do. Bruises are common skin injuries. Blood from damaged blood cells deep beneath the skin collect near the surface making a black and blue mark. Just bumping the leg can cause a bruise.

Dogs can get bruises, but it can be hard to tell because of our fur. In fact, bruising in dogs is unusual thanks to our thick skin and protective layer of fur. Bruising is uncommon in dogs and can be a sign of an internal injury or internal bleeding.

Ingesting something toxic, falling, or physical trauma can cause bruising. Limping, licking a body part excessively, or general lack of activity may indicate injury and bruising. If your dog has not undergone any trauma or ingested anything strange, it could be a sign of a disease.

There are different types of bruising in dogs. Small pinpoint bruises, (called petechiae) can be a sign of disease. Larger bruises (known as ecchymosis) indicate trauma or certain immune disease processes. The type of bruising a dog has can identify the problem.

Two congenital bruising diseases are hemophilia and Von Willebrand disease. Both affect the body’s ability to make blood clots. Hemophilia can cause lameness, swelling, bleeding into the joints and muscles. Von Willebrand disease affects certain breeds, including Doberman Pinschers, Scottish Terriers, and German Shorthaired Pointers.

There are also acquired causes for bruising and the four most common include:
Infection caused by a tick, metabolic problems (e.g., liver failure or cancer), immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (when you dog’s immune system destroys its own platelets), and disseminated intravascular coagulation.
Even if your dog is a bruiser and he gets bruised, make a trip to the veterinarian to ascertain the cause.  
XOXO Watson
 
IN NEED OF
Folks who need help affording spaying/neutering for dogs or cats. The SNAPS program details are below.

Aluminum cans. If you have cans to pick up, give us a call (775-423-7500) and we will come get them. You can also drop them off at CAPS.

Dry cat food and Friskies wet. Dry dog food and Pedigree wet food. Our current supplier of donated food is no longer distributing food to shelters. We need help to maintain our guests.

Bleach and cleaning supplies.

Puppy milk, puppy pads, and Taste of the Wild Puppy food. We have puppies that need lots of care and supplies.
  
SHOUT OUT TO
Everyone who voted for CAPS in the Fallon Chamber of Commerce contest. We are proud to be the best Fallon non-profit organization. All tails are wagging for you!

  

COME SEE US

CAPS is now open, by appointment only, for adoptions, SNAPS, and food pantry. We cannot accept volunteers until further notice. Call 775-423-7500. 
        
DON’T FORGET      
March Pet Holiday: Poison Prevention Awareness Month

SNAPS is a program offered to Churchill County residents through CAPS that provides low-cost spay/neutering for cats and dogs. To qualify for SNAPS, you need to have one of the following: Medicaid, a child enrolled in NV Check Up Program, food stamps, 2020 tax return stating income is less than $30,000 or Veterans disability card including a photo ID. Also required are a Churchill County ID and a co-pay. For more information, call CAPS at 423-7500.

CONTACT CAPS 
CAPS’ mailing address is P.O. Box 5128, Fallon, NV 89407. CAPS’ phone number is 775-423-7500. CAPS’ email address is caps@cccomm.net. Please visit the CAPS website (www.capsnevada.com) and Facebook page (Churchill Animal Protection Society). Be sure to “Like” CAPS on Facebook because we are likeable.
CAPS is open to the public on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.                                                                 
Kathleen Williams-Miller is a CAPS volunteer. Contact me at jkwmil@outlook.com.