Disorder - Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

Organ Systems Involved
Integument

Alternative Names
Cutaneous Asthenia
Dermatosparaxis
Rubber Puppy Disease
Hereditary Collagen Dysplasia
Cutis Hyperelastica.

Brief Description

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is a skin disorder that causes the skin to be extremely fragile and loose.

Presenting Signs

The skin of a dog affected by Ehlers-Danlos syndrome will have one twenty-seventh of the tensile strength of normal skin, and will tear very easily. If surgically stitched the skin will heal normally. However, without stitches the wounds will form large scars. These scars may be thin and highly pigmented. Other include loose joints, bruising on the legs or body due to fragile blood vessels, small lumps under the skin, fragile muscles, lameness without pain and a thin and dry hair coat. There may be abnormalities of the eyes such as cataracts (cloudiness of the lenses) and poor ability of the pupils to contract in the presence of light. It is unusual to see all the symptoms in an affected animal. The most common is fragile or loose skin. Activities that may lead to skin damage should be avoided, and rough or sharp objects or areas in the dog's environment should be removed or altered to decrease the risk of injury to the dog."

Groups Affected
Gundog
Hound
Utility
Working dog


Breeds Affected
American cocker spaniel
Beagle
Boxer
Dachshund (long, smooth and wire haired)
Dachshund (miniature - long, smooth and wire-haired)
English springer spaniel
German shepherd dog
Greyhound
St Bernard


Related Disorders

Congenital Epitheliogenesis Imperfecta

PubMed References
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

Further Reference Material [OMIA Number]
327


Contributor
Elisabeth Range