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Canine Cutaneous Athenia

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, dermatosparaxis 		talalogoa


What is Cutaneous Asthenia?
Cutaneous Asthenia

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What is cutaneous asthenia?


http://www.upei.ca/cidd
related terms: Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, dermatosparaxis
Cutaneous asthenia is a group of conditions where there are various underlying defects in the structure of collagen, the fibrous connective tissue of the body. Dogs with cutaneous asthenia have abnormally stretchy and fragile skin which tears easily, resulting in large wounds. Some dogs also have looseness in the joints and abnormalities of the eye (lens luxation, cataracts).

How is cutaneous asthenia inherited?
Most forms of the disorder appear to have an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance, although an autosomal recessive form likely occurs as well.

What breeds are affected by cutaneous asthenia?
This rare disorder has been seen in the boxer, dachshund, English springer spaniel, German shepherd, and St. Bernard, and in mixed breed dogs. It has also been reported in the beagle, Manchester terrier, Welsh corgi, red kelpie, and greyhound.

For many breeds and many disorders, the studies to determine the mode of inheritance or the frequency in the breed have not been carried out, or are inconclusive. We have listed breeds for which there is a consensus among those investigating in this field and among veterinary practitioners, that the condition is significant in this breed.

What does cutaneous asthenia mean to your dog & you?
The skin of affected dogs is soft and thin, extremely stretchy and often hangs loosely in folds. It tears easily with minimal cause, such as your dog scratching, and there is usually very little bleeding. Small tears heal rapidly leaving irregular white scars, or the tears may enlarge.

Less often, there is looseness of the joints or eye abnormalities with this condition.

How is cutaneous asthenia diagnosed?
It is generally fairly easy to recognize this condition, typically in a young dog with stretchy, easily torn, excessively scarred skin and no history of recent trauma to account for it. Your veterinarian may submit a skin biopsy (a simple procedure, done with local anesthetic) for examination by a veterinary pathologist.

How is cutaneous asthenia treated?
Your veterinarian will discuss with you lifestyle and housing modifications that are essential to the management of this condition. Activities that may lead to mild trauma, such as playing with other animals or running off lead in woody areas, must be avoided. Rough or sharp corners and objects in your house should be removed or padded. Your dog's resting places must be well-padded as well. Prompt veterinary attention will be necessary to suture any wounds that occur before they enlarge, or to treat any other skin conditions (which may cause your dog to scratch).

Many affected animals are euthanized due to the incurable nature of this condition, and the extensive care and attention that will be required life-long.

Breeding advice
With dominant forms of this disorder, affected dogs and the affected parent should not be bred. If the inheritance appears to be recessive (ie. an affected dog is born of apparently normal parents), then the parents (carriers of the trait) and siblings (potential carriers) of the affected dog should not be bred
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS DISORDER, PLEASE SEE YOUR VETERINARIAN.

Resources
Scott, D.W., Miller, W.H., Griffin, C.E.  1995.  Muller and Kirk's Small Animal Dermatology. pp 785.  W.B. Saunders Co., Toronto.
Copyright © 1998 Canine Inherited Disorders Database. All rights reserved.
Revised: October 30, 2001.
This database is funded jointly by the Sir James Dunn Animal Welfare Centre at the Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, and the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.
Permission to reprint is granted  by
Alice Crook, DVM Coordinator, Sir James Dunn Animal Welfare Centre
Atlantic Veterinary College University of Prince Edward Island

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 Cutaneous Asthenia

http://www.gopetsamerica.com

Cutaneous Asthenia is an inherited skin disorder characterized by extremely stretchy and fragile skin that tears at the slightest scratch causing scars and wounds. The disease mostly affects Beagles, Manchester Terrier, Welsh Corgi, and Greyhounds.
 
Cutaneous Asthenia - Signs, Causes and Treatment
The clinical signs of Cutaneous Asthenia may include:

Numerous lesions of the skin

Broad, thin scars on the skin

Gaping bleeding wounds

Stretchy, thin, and fragile skin

Skin folds behind the elbows

The disease reveals during the first 6 months of the animal's life. It affects mostly dogs, cats, some small animals, and resembles the Ehlers-Danlos disease in humans. It is believed to be hereditary. The condition is due to a defect in the connective tissue (made of collagen) in the skin and can be caused by decreased production of collagen or production of a normal amount of defective collagen. The skin tears at the slightest contact with anything sharp - rough surfaces or even the dog's or cat's own paws.

The tears usually do not bleed. Small tears may heal rapidly leaving white scars. The tears may enlarge and form large wounds. Some forms of the condition also affect the blood vessels in the skin and may cause bruising and blisters. In dogs, this condition is linked to looseness in the joints and abnormalities of the eye (cataracts).

Treatment: there is no cure for this disease and most affected animals are euthanized.

Cutaneous Asthenia has been reported in the following breeds:

Beagle
 		Dachshund
 		English Setter
 		Australian Kelpie
 		Keeshond
 		Saint Bernard
Boxer
 		Manchester terrier
 		English Springer Spaniel
 Greyhound
 		Miniature Schrnauze
 		Pembroke Welsh Corgi


References:
1. US National Library of Medicine
Go Pets America recommends seeking the advice of your local veterinarian for the most appropriate vaccination program and for the diagnosis and treatment of your pet's health problems. For vaccination requirements please contact your state and local licensing authorities.
©2003-2007 Go Pets America, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
reprinted with kind permission from Ethan
The Go Pets America Team
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Defects of Structural Integrity


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The above information is simply informational. It's intent is not to replace the advice of a veterinarian nor to assist you in making a diagnosis of your pet. Please consult with your own veterinarian for confirmation of any diagnosis. Your pets life may depend on it.