El Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, also known as cutaneous asthenia, is a rare congenital disease that affects the connective tissue of animals, characterized by extreme skin fragilityThis disease can be either hereditary or congenital and causes the skin to be lax, hypersensitive and extremely fragile. It is common for the skin of affected animals to tear easily, even with a small bump or scratch.
What is Ehlers-Danlos syndrome?
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome comprises a group of genetic disorders that affect connective tissue due to alterations in collagen, the protein responsible for elasticity y skin strength, joints and blood vessels. In veterinary medicine, cases similar to human Ehlers-Danlos syndrome have been documented in dogs, cats, horses, cows, sheep and even rabbits.
Dog breeds most prone to
Although this disease can affect any dog, some breeds have a major genetic predisposition. Among the most commonly affected breeds are:
- Beagle
- Boxer
- English setter
- Greyhounds
- St. Bernard
- German shepherd
- Welsh Corgi
- Toy poodle
- Mongrel dogs
Most Common Symptoms
The symptoms of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome are easily identifiable. most common signs include:
- Hyperextensibility of the skin, which appears more stretched than normal.
- Skin fragility: The skin breaks easily with large wounds that usually heal leaving fine white marks.
- Poor healing: wounds take a long time to heal and may recur.
- Joint laxity, which can lead to joint instability.
- In some cases, ocular abnormalities and corneal problems.
Diagnosing Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome in Dogs
To diagnose this disease, it is essential go to the vet as soon as they are detected signs such as fragile skin or unexplained woundsThe most common methods to confirm the diagnosis include:
- Skin biopsy: allows microscopic analysis of skin tissue.
- Collagen studies: determine defects in their structure.
- Skin extensibility index: The elasticity of the skin is measured by comparing it with the length of the animal's body.
Treatment and care
Currently, there is no definitive cure for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. However, there are measures that can improve the animal's quality of life and prevent serious injuries:
- Modify the environment: avoid rough play, walks in bushy areas or on surfaces that could damage the skin.
- Immediate treatment of wounds: go to the vet to quickly treat any skin lesions.
- Prevention: It is not recommended that affected animals breed, to avoid transmission of this disease to future generations.
In addition, it is important to make frequent veterinary check-ups to control possible complications, such as joint and eye problems.
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a challenge for both the animals that suffer from it and their owners. With the right care, it is possible to offer them a life as comfortable and safe as possible, thus minimizing the impact of this condition on their well-being.
good morning!! I am a student from Mendoza of Veterinary Sciences I am in the practice of the clinic of children and we see different cases daily and yesterday I arrived: male canche 35 days reason for the consultation: I do not stop but crawls because it cannot support its arms, as orna and defecates normally, his mother has not taken any medicine in the gestac and his two daughters are normal to the clinical examination, it is seen: 6 fingers in each limb, supported with the dorsal surface in the two posterior mbros, ncobgruencia narticular of elbows and tarsi, abnormal alignment of the long bones, coxofemoral dislocation of the long bones, failure to extend the knee, costodondral dysplasia, an X-ray was ordered, they still do not want to know if they know from the bblograph that you can consult or from net pages that are they about teratogenesis ??? from already many gcas !!!
Hello, I adopted a two-year-old dog with this syndrome (mixed breed). I want to know that in addition to having that characteristic, the skin, due to its flexibility; If it also affects the back joints, is it part of this syndrome?