Another Name: Ehlers- Danlos syndrome

Disease Description: A condition where the skin lacks its normal strength, elasticity and sensation. Also called Ehlers- Danlos syndrome. Seen in several breeds, including English springer spaniels and boxers.

Inherit Mode: Most forms of the disorder appear to have an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance, although an autosomal recessive form likely occurs as well.

Disease Symptom: The skin of affected dogs is soft and thin,extremely stretchy andoften hangs loosely in folds. It tears easily with minimal cause, suchas your dogscratching, and there is usually very little bleeding. Small tearsheal rapidly leavingirregular white scars, or the tears may enlarge. Less often, there is looseness of the joints oreye abnormalitieswith this condition.

Disease Cause: -

Disease Diagnose: It is generally fairly easy to recognize thiscondition, typicallyin a young dog with stretchy, easily torn, excessively scarred skinand no history ofrecent trauma to account for it. Your veterinarian may submit a skinbiopsy (a simpleprocedure, done with local anesthetic) for examination by a veterinarypathologist.

Treat Method: Your veterinarian will discuss with you lifestyleand housingmodifications that are essential to the management of this condition.Activities that maylead to mild trauma, such as playing with other animals or running offlead in woodyareas, must be avoided. Rough or sharp corners and objects in yourhouse should be removedor padded. Your dog's resting places must be well-padded as well.Prompt veterinaryattention will be necessary to suture any wounds that occur beforethey enlarge, or totreat any other skin conditions (which may cause your dog to scratch). Many affected animals are euthanized due to theincurable nature ofthis condition, and the extensive care and attention that will berequired life-long.

Breeder Advice: With dominant forms of this disorder, affecteddogs and the affectedparent should not be bred. If the inheritance appears to be recessive(ie. an affected dogis born of apparently normal parents), then the parents (carriers ofthe trait) andsiblings (potential carriers) of the affected dog should not be bred

Disease Description Source: Link