Ehlors Danlos Syndrome in Dogs

Symptoms are seen from birth, and can vary considerably in severity. They include:

• Fragile skin
• Loose or stretchy skin
• Hyperextensible skin
• Hanging folds of skin
• Looseness in joints
• Connective tissue dysfunctions
• Painful skin tears
• Skin bruising
• Subcutaneous hematoma, or hard blood masses under the skin 
• Hygroma formations, or soft, fluid filled sacs that form over pressure points 
• Delayed and poor wound healing
• Extensive scarring from wound healing
• Increased infections
• Lameness
• Pregnancy complications, uterine rupture or prolapse in females
• Eye abnormalities
• Dry and fine hair
• Weakened blood vessels

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is caused solely by an inherited gene that affects collagen production. Only one copy of the autosomal dominant gene is needed for a dog to be affected. If an unaffected dog is bred with an affected one, the offspring has a 50% chance of being affected with the syndrome as well.

While this condition mostly affects English Springer spaniels, other breeds seen with this syndrome are:

• Beagles
• German Shepherds
• Daschunds
• Boxers
• Saint Bernards
• Manchester Terriers
• Welsh Corgis

There is no available cure for this condition. Treatment involves management of wounds and lifestyle modifications to accommodate your dog’s fragile, lifelong condition.

Surgery may be required for large and deep tears as they occur, often with anesthesia. Small lesions may be resolved with laser therapy. Severe ulcerations might require skin grafting. If hygromas occur, they may require surgery as they can progress to inflammations, infections, abscesses and granulomas. While often resolved with needle aspirations, chronic hygroma cases may need draining, flushing, and the placement of a drain tube. Complications are a risk for any surgery with this condition due to the fact the blood vessels are weakened, and can include secondary infections, poor wound healing, and difficulty administering intravenous fluids.

Vitamin C supplements have shown improvements in symptoms and may be prescribed.

Lifestyle and housing modifications will be needed to ensure the safety of your dog, and will be discussed with your veterinarian.

Extensive lifelong care is needed for management of this condition, which causes some affected dogs to be euthanized.

At home, keep an eye on large or deep wounds or tears, and promptly seek medical attention for stitches before they enlarge. Removal or padding of rough or sharp objects will be needed in your dog’s environment, especially in the place your dog sleeps or rests. Though it will affect your dog’s quality of life, restriction will be needed on vigorous exercise, such as playing, sports activities, or even running in places with obstructions, such as wooded areas.

Prevent this syndrome by not breeding affected dogs. There is no genetic test available for this condition, so use associated symptoms to determine whether or not a specific dog should be bred. Animals that carry a mutated gene are likely to show symptoms, though the severity is variable.