Skin Fragility Syndrome in Dogs

Category: Skin & Connective Tissue
Breeds documented: 1
Published sources: 5

Overview

A rare inherited defect leaves skin cells poorly attached to one another, so the skin can peel away with very little friction. The reported form affects Chesapeake Bay Retrievers and is linked to a change in the PKP1 gene. Affected puppies can develop painful sores, an unusually fine coat, and patches of hair loss.

Signs to watch for

Skin peeling or breaking after minor rubbing
Raw sores around the nose, lips, feet, or skin folds
A very fine coat with patchy hair loss
Limping when the footpads become sore

Signs can be present at birth or appear during the first few weeks.

Emergency Go to an emergency vet now if a puppy has severe skin pain.

Diagnosis and tests

A vet assesses the fragile skin and may examine a small skin sample under a microscope. A DNA test for the reported PKP1 variant is available for Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. Testing can distinguish affected dogs from healthy carriers in an affected family.

Breeds with documented risk

1 breed

By breed size

1 Large

Chesapeake Bay RetrieverLarge · Sporting Group

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.