Does My Dog Have a Bruise?

Can dogs get bruises? It can be hard to tell if your dog's roughhousing causes a lasting bump because of the fur that covers his body. In fact, bruising in dogs is unusual thanks to their thick skin and that same protective layer of fur. If you do notice a bruise on your dog, it's worth a trip to the veterinarian.

Bruising in Dogs: An Unusual Sign

Because it is uncommon in dogs, bruising could be a sign of an internal injury or internal bleeding if your dog was in a car crash, had a fall or ingested something toxic (like aspirin or rat poison), says Pet Health Network. You should look for other indications that you dog may have sustained a bruise such as limping, licking certain parts of the body in excess or general lack of activity.

If your dog is bruising but hasn't undergone any trauma or ingested anything strange, it could be a sign of a disease. A veterinarian will do diagnostic tests on your dog to try to figure out the cause of the bruising. Your vet can also rule out if apparent bruising is actually something more benign like an allergic reaction.

Diseases That Cause Bruises

The type of bruising a dog has can help identify the underlying problem. Small pinpoint bruises (called petechiae), for instance, can be a sign of a disease, while larger bruises (known as ecchymosis) can indicate trauma or certain immune disease processes. So what diseases can cause bruising in dogs? Two congenital diseases that are also found in humans can cause bruising:

• Hemophilia affects the body's ability to make blood clots. The Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine says dogs suffering from hemophilia can also often show signs of lameness and swelling because of bleeding into their joints and muscles.
• Von Willebrand disease is also a blood clotting disorder. Pet Health Network notes that this disease is seen more often in certain breeds, including German shepherds, Doberman pinschers, Scottish terriers, Shetland sheepdogs and German shorthaired pointers.