Disease Ontology ID: DDTO:0000978

Disease Description: This is a recently recognized disorder in young German shorthaired pointers. Inflammation in the skin results in scaling and crusting on the head, the lower legs, and on the scrotum. The areas affected gradually spread and are commonly painful or itchy. There may be an immune component to this condition.

Inherit Mode: unknown

Disease Symptom: Skin changes are usually noticed at about 6 monthsof age. The skinon the head, lower legs, and scrotum is affected first, becomingthickened and crusty. Thelesions are painful or itchy, and commonly spread, or may wax andwane. The nails may fallout and some dogs develop a fever and swollen lymph nodes.

Disease Cause: -

Disease Diagnose: The diagnosis is made through a skin biopsy. This is asimpleprocedure done with local anesthetic, in which your veterinarianremoves a small sample ofyour dog's skin for examination by a veterinary pathologist. Thebiopsy will showinflammatory changes in the skin, consistent with this condition.

Treat Method: No consistently effective treatment has been foundas yet. For the veterinarian: Sometreatments that havebeen tried with varying success are anti-seborrheic baths,retinoids, immunosuppressivecorticosteroids, and fatty acid supplements.

Breeder Advice: Affected dogs, their siblings, and parents shouldnot be bred. Inthis way, this new condition may be eliminated before it becomesestablished in the breed.

Disease Description Source: Link