Disease Description: Lethal acrodermatitis is a serious inherited skin condition of Bull Terriers that usually causes death before the dog reaches two years of age. It only affects those Bull Terriers with white skin and fur because of the lack of pigment.

Inherit Mode: This is an autosomal recessivetrait.

Disease Symptom: This condition is usually apparent before the pupsare weaned.Affected pups are lighter in colour, their growth is stunted, and,usually by 1 to 3months of age, their feet are splayed with reddening, cracking andcrusting of thefootpads and skin between the toes. The ears, mouth and eye marginsare affected as well.Commonly, these pups develop generalized skin infections, diarrhea,and pneumonia.Although these conditions can be treated symptomatically, there is notreatment for thedisorder itself. Affected pups gradually become less and less active,and usually die orare euthanized before the age of 6 or 7 months due to overwhelminginfection andprogressive wasting.

Disease Cause: -

Disease Diagnose: Diagnosis is usually made on history and clinicalsigns in a youngbull terrier, especially where siblings are affected as well. Yourveterinarian willlikely do certain tests to rule out other possible causes of yourdog's signs.

Treat Method: The various infections are treated with appropriatesymptomatictherapy. However there is no treatment for the underlying condition.Affected pups do notrespond to zinc supplementation.

Breeder Advice: Affected animals generally do not live long enoughto breed. Theirparents are carriers and should not be bred. Siblings should not bebred either as theyhave a 50% chance of being carriers of this lethal trait.

Disease Description Source: Link