Pet Spotlight/Case Study: “Chicken Nugget’s Vasculitis”

Chicken Nugget Before Treatment

Chicken Nugget was first presented to Dr. Ho as a 7 year old, female spayed, French bulldog in December of 2019 for an evaluation of non-resolving skin lesions that started several months ago. Her skin lesions improved with corticosteroids. She had a history of allergies, which were managed with Cytopoint.

Dr. Ho suspected that Chicken Nugget had a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius bacterial infection so a skin culture was performed to determine which antibiotics would be effective at treating the infection. She was sent home with topical therapies after that visit while awaiting culture results.

The culture results showed that Chicken Nugget had a very resistant bacterial infection, therefore, dilute bleach rinses were initiated for treatment. The infection worsened despite topical therapies. At this time Dr. Ho suspected that Chicken Nugget had an underlying skin disease that caused the resistant bacterial infection. A skin biopsy was performed and cutaneous vasculitis was diagnosed. The cause of Chicken Nugget’s vasculitis was idiopathic (unknown). She was started on a medication used to treat vasculitis called pentoxifylline and an oral antibiotic to resolve her infection.

Chicken Nugget’s progress during treatment

By February, Chicken Nugget’s skin lesions improved but a mild bacterial infection remained. Her treatment was continued and by June her lesions had resolved except for some scarring. Chicken Nugget’s owners report that she is doing well and remains on pentoxifylline to manage her vasculitis.