Sheltie Skin Syndrome in Dogs

Category: Skin & Connective Tissue
Inheritance: Multifactorial
Breeds documented: 1
Published sources: 2

Overview

An immune-related disorder called dermatomyositis can damage the skin and, in more severe cases, the muscles. Sores commonly develop around the face, ears, lower legs and tail tip. Some dogs have mild skin changes, while more severe disease can cause muscle loss and difficulty eating or swallowing. The signs may improve and then return.

Signs to watch for

Hair loss with crusts or scales around the face and ears
Sores on the lower legs, feet or tail tip
Scarring or changes in skin color
Loss of muscle around the face or lower legs
Difficulty eating, drinking or swallowing in severe cases

Signs usually begin before six months of age, although adults can be affected.

When to get help Arrange a vet visit for unexplained crusting, hair loss or difficulty eating.

Diagnosis and tests

A vet considers the dog's age, history and pattern of skin changes, while checking for infections and other similar conditions. A skin biopsy, a small tissue sample examined in a laboratory, is needed to confirm dermatomyositis. A DNA risk test is available for Collies and Shetland Sheepdogs to help guide breeding decisions.

Breeds with documented risk

1 breed

By breed size

1 Small

Shetland SheepdogSmall · Herding Group

Inheritance

This condition has more than one known form, and different breeds inherit it in different ways. The sources list the form found in each breed.

Multifactorial
Collie, Shetland Sheepdog
Several genes and the environment together set the risk. Diet, growth rate, weight and exercise can all play a part. There is no single DNA test. Screening the parents (for example hip or elbow scores) and choosing from lines with good results lowers the risk, but does not remove it.
As stated by UC Davis VGL
Autosomal dominant
Collie
One copy of the variant, from either parent, is enough to put a dog at risk. On average, an affected dog passes the variant to half of its puppies. Males and females are affected equally.
As stated by University of Minnesota: Small and Large Animal Dermatology Handbook, Vol. 3

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.