Disease overview

Hyperkeratosis of the footpad is a skin maturation disorder characterized by thick, hardened footpads. This condition leads to discomfort and cracking of the footpads as early as 8 weeks of age.

Gene name

DSG1

Inheritance

Autosomal recessive

Signs and symptoms

Clinical signs include footpads that have thickened and hardened. This can lead to cracking of the footpads and severe discomfort and pain. This may extend beyond the footpad to the rest of the body, causing atopic dermatitis and recurrent skin infections.

How is it diagnosed

A veterinarian will conduct a thorough exam, including a review of health history and any clinical signs. Skin biopsies can help with diagnosis. Genetic testing is necessary to determine if there is an underlying genetic cause, which can assist veterinarians with diagnosis and help breeders identify affected and carrier dogs.

Breeds at higher risk

Citations

Backel KA, Kiener S, Jagannathan V, Casal ML, Leeb T, Mauldin EA. A DSG1 Frameshift Variant in a Rottweiler Dog with Footpad Hyperkeratosis. Genes (Basel). 2020 Apr 24;11(4):469. doi: 10.3390/genes11040469. PMID: 32344723; PMCID: PMC7230267.

Disclaimer

Disease diagnosis and treatment should always be performed by a veterinarian. The following information is for educational purposes only.