Calcifying Panniculitis

Panniculitis appears as fluid filled or hard lumps beneath the skin&'s surface on dogs. The nodules occur in the subcutaneous skin layer within the fat cells. Ulceration can occur with draining tracts to the skin&'s surface or the nodules can calcify, forming hard lumps. The fat cells can suffer further damage from the panniculitis which results in inflammation.

  1. Causes

    • Younger animals afflicted with panniculitis appear to have suffered trauma in the location of the nodules. Repeated vaccinations and antibiotics administered in the same spot can also result in nodules forming. It is believed that the area sustains a reaction from the immune system which causes the panniculitis to occur, according to VetConnect. The condition is also widely seen in dogs suffering from liver disease, lupus and pancreatitis.

    Genetic Prevalence

    • Panniculitis is often seen in dachshunds, German shepherds and collies which seems to indicate a genetic prevalence. The nodules can occur at any age and appear to be evenly distributed between the sexes.

    Appearance

    • The nodules appear either skin colored, brown, red or yellow. The area will often ulcerate and begin to ooze fluid. The fluid appears blood or brownish-yellow, according to Pet MD. During ulceration the area is extremely painful to the dog. Calcified nodules feel hard, like small pebbles beneath the skin&'s surface due to the buildup of scar tissue that often occurs in the area if the nodule has ulcerated and then healed. The nodule can also feel soft to the touch and filled with fluid.

    Diagnosis

    • A veterinarian will examine the dog and take its history. A needle biopsy will be ordered to determine if the nodule is panniculitis. Once a determination has been made, the veterinarian will perform further tests to determine a possible underlying cause to the disease. Blood work will be done and a CT scan may be ordered.

    Treatment

    • Surgery will be performed to remove a single nodule or multiple nodules. Steroids and vitamin E may be prescribed to help reduce the size of the nodule if surgery is not done. Medications can often help a nodule to regress in only three to four weeks. Following a diagnosis of panniculitis, the dog will need to have regular exams by a veterinarian to monitor the formation of any new nodules so prompt treatment can be prescribed.