Dr Lee - Is it just bruising?

[14+kitties]

I know I am just being a big worrywart. Just wanted to be safe than sorry.
Around the end of March I found an abscess on Storm's side/back area.
http://www.pets.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=69375
I kept an eye on it and took her to the vet and she has been treated. You can see from the pictures her abscess is healed very well. No swelling. Just this black area about 2.5 inches in diameter. It was a dark blue last week and is getting darker. Doesn't seem to be fading at all which is why I am concerned. It is not any warmer than the rest of her either. She did have a vet appt this afternoon but they just called to cancel. My vet is stuck in surgery all day. Her partner is stuck in England.
So is it just bruising or could it be something else. My thoughts on how she got her injury was another cat, a raccoon (unlikely because they probably wouldn't have given up with just a bite), or a possum.
Thanks in advance for what I am assuming is going to be a straightforward "It's a bruise, dummy" answer.

[Dog Dancer]

Who could blame you for worrying 14+? Hopefully Dr. Lee will be along shortly with an opinion.

[luckypenny]

14+, does that look like it's under the skin or the skin itself that's changed color?

[hazelrunpack]

That's what I was wondering, LP! it's just a change in pigmentation and nothing under the skin!

Did you PM Dr Lee, 14+?

[14+kitties]

Originally Posted by Dog Dancer

Who could blame you for worrying 14+? Hopefully Dr. Lee will be along shortly with an opinion.

Thanks DD.

Originally Posted by luckypenny

14+, does that look like it's under the skin or the skin itself that's changed color?

It's the skin I think. When I pinch her skin loosely it doesn't change colour. That is why I am thinking bruise. It isn't bothering her at all.

[14+kitties]

Originally Posted by hazelrunpack

That's what I was wondering, LP! it's just a change in pigmentation and nothing under the skin!

Did you PM Dr Lee, 14+?

I am almost 100% positive it is bruising. I just wanted to make sure. I can't get into the vet now till next week to see. The skin around the area is ok. I checked. Like I said, just a worrywart.
And yes, I did.

[Love4himies]

Oh my goodness, you don't need another thing to worry about .

Sending lots of that it is just bruising and will eventually heal.

[14+kitties]

Originally Posted by Love4himies

Oh my goodness, you don't need another thing to worry about .

Sending lots of that it is just bruising and will eventually heal.

Thanks L4. That's not the least of it. Ace has a limp. I think one of his claws is growing into the pad of his front paw. So now I have to try to catch him, and he goes into hiding when he sees me lately , and get him in to the vet. He will probably need to have that claw removed. Poor baby.
The receptionist told me there is nothing they can give me I can put in his food to make him drowsy so I have to take the trap in and try to convince him he wants in it.
I just need some time .....

[Dr Lee]

I am assuming that in all respects other than the "blue" color, that the area appears healed? Skin "feels" normal; area is not painful; no other problems exist?

With this being the case, the area appears to have dermal melanosis or postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). In English - areas of the skin that have had deep inflammation to the dermal layer of the skin (ie from an abscess) can sometimes lead to excess pigmentation in response to inflammation. Another common place to see it is when dogs with chronic allergies get dark coloration of their bellies. Luckily when the hair regrows, you will not see it. The hyperpigmentation can go away with time.

When to worry.
When the skin feels bumpy or thick.
The color changes appear to spread beyond the original area of inflammation.
There feels like there is a mass underneath.
The area is warm or painful.

Getting a vet to check it is always a good idea as I can only see a couple of pictures (well done pictures though ). They can tell you for sure but at this point I am not concerned.

Hope that helps.

[14+kitties]

Originally Posted by Dr Lee

I am assuming that in all respects other than the "blue" color, that the area appears healed? Skin "feels" normal; area is not painful; no other problems exist?

With this being the case, the area appears to have dermal melanosis or postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). In English - areas of the skin that have had deep inflammation to the dermal layer of the skin (ie from an abscess) can sometimes lead to excess pigmentation in response to inflammation. Another common place to see it is when dogs with chronic allergies get dark coloration of their bellies. Luckily when the hair regrows, you will not see it. The hyperpigmentation can go away with time.

When to worry.
When the skin feels bumpy or thick.
The color changes appear to spread beyond the original area of inflammation.
There feels like there is a mass underneath.
The area is warm or painful.

Getting a vet to check it is always a good idea as I can only see a couple of pictures (well done pictures though ). They can tell you for sure but at this point I am not concerned.

Hope that helps.

In other words - It's a bruise, dummy. Or close enough! Skin feels normal with no swelling, no heat, no pain.
Thanks Dr Lee! I appreciate you setting this ol' gals mind at rest. Stormy is still going to the vet on my next day off for shots so she will be checked over. Thanks very much!!

[hazelrunpack]

Great news, 14+ You didn't need any new worries

[mummummum]

Phew!

[Dog Dancer]

Well thankfully Dr. Lee was able to put your mind at rest until Storm's next vet visit. You've certainly had enough to worry about. Good luck now with Ace. What's his favourite treat??? What's he going to get to lure him in....

[Dr Lee]

I am glad that I was able to help. If I could make a geeky and persnickity point however - the color change that occurs after a wound has healed is not technically bruising (although it is just as benign ) Bruising is technically blood under the skin. This is melanin pigment. Similiar to a giant freckle. Thus it will not change in color as the body reasorbs the blood or change as gravity affects it. Nor will you get the characteristic green tinge that goes along with hemoglobin breakdown into biliverdin (the reason that a black eye has greenish parts to it).

So yes - melanin pigment is benign. Your question is a both a great question and a common one. So no worries and let the vet just confirm what we are thinking. Take care.

[Tundra_Queen]

Yeah 14+!!!! That is good news!

[14+kitties]

Originally Posted by Dr Lee

I am glad that I was able to help. If I could make a geeky and persnickity point however - the color change that occurs after a wound has healed is not technically bruising (although it is just as benign ) Bruising is technically blood under the skin. This is melanin pigment. Similiar to a giant freckle. Thus it will not change in color as the body reasorbs the blood or change as gravity affects it. Nor will you get the characteristic green tinge that goes along with hemoglobin breakdown into biliverdin (the reason that a black eye has greenish parts to it).

So yes - melanin pigment is benign. Your question is a both a great question and a common one. So no worries and let the vet just confirm what we are thinking. Take care.

I apologize Dr Lee. You are right. There is a difference between the two. Not geeky or persnickity. Storm sure isn't bothered by it.
Again, thank you for your help. I appreciate it.

[Love4himies]

I am so glad it is nothing