Ichthyosis in Dogs

Category: Skin & Connective Tissue
Breeds documented: 5
Published sources: 8

Overview

Ichthyosis describes a group of inherited problems with the skin's outer protective layer. Instead of shedding normally, this layer builds up into visible scales, giving the coat a dry, flaky appearance. Different forms involve different genes, so their effects are not identical. Some dogs also develop thickened noses or paw pads, and affected pads can be uncomfortable.

Signs to watch for

Large flakes or scales throughout the coat
Scales that cling to the skin
A thickened nose or paw pads
Discomfort when the paw pads are thickened

An inherited skin problem that can be evident in puppies; timing depends on the form.

When to get help Book a vet visit for persistent scaling or thickened, uncomfortable paw pads.

Diagnosis and tests

Vets assess the skin and may take a biopsy, a small sample examined under a microscope. DNA testing can identify certain inherited forms, but different forms involve different genes. In one study, dogs with scaling lacked the expected PNPLA1 result, and researchers identified a separate ABHD5-related form.

Breeds with documented risk

5 breeds

By breed size

1 Small
3 Large
1 Giant

Golden RetrieverLarge · Sporting Group
German ShepherdLarge · Herding Group
Great DaneGiant · Working Group
Norfolk TerrierSmall · Terrier Group
American BulldogLarge · Foundation Stock Service

Inheritance

Not yet known
None of the sources we use states how this is inherited in dogs yet.

We've gathered what published sources say about this condition, so you can talk it through with your vet. It isn't veterinary advice: you and your vet know your dog best.