Cutaneous asthenia in the dog: a report of two cases [hyperextensibility, abnormalities]

• Published in: Nordisk Veterinaermedicin (Denmark) Vol. 37; no. 5; p. 291
• Main Authors: Poulsen, P.H, Thomsen, M.K, Kristensen, F. (Kongelige Veterinaer- og Landbohoejskole, Copenhagen (Denmark). Klinik for Mindre Husdyr)
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Denmark 01.09.1985
• Subjects: Animals; CHIEN; COLAGENOS; COLLAGEN; COLLAGENE; DANEMARK; DENMARK; DINAMARCA; Dog Diseases; DOGS; Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome - diagnosis; Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome - pathology; Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome - veterinary; ENFERMEDADES (PIEL); Female; GENETIC DISORDERS; HEREDABILIDAD; HERITABILITE; HERITABILITY; LESION; LESIONES; LESIONS; MALADIE DE LA PEAU; PEAU; PERRO; PIEL; PIEL (ANIMAL); Prognosis; SKIN; Skin - pathology; SKIN DISEASES; TERAPIA; THERAPEUTIQUE; THERAPY; TRASTORNOS GENETICOS; TROUBLE GENETIQUE
• ISSN: 0029-1579

Two cases of cutaneous asthenia in Danish dogs are described. Case 1 was a Weimeraner; case 2 a Golden Retriever. In both instances the dogs had acquired numerous lesions of the skin within the first half year of their lives. The wounds exhibited good healing but led to broad, thin and pliable scars. Both dogs had in several instances received attention to gaping wounds, characterized by little tendency of bleeding. The clinical examination reveiled that the skin was hyperextensible and possessed pendulous folds, particularly behind the elbows. The degree of hyperextensibility was evaluated by means of a skin extensibility index. Furthermore, it was possible to manipulate the digital cushion in an unphysiological manner. One of the dogs were euthanised, and in case 2 the clinical diagnosis was confirmed by histopathological examination. No conclusion could be drawn regarding the mode of inheritance in the two cases, but existing literature strongly suggests the existence of a genetic disposition and thus, elimination of the disease related gene from any breeding program is of great importance.