Canine Disease Information: Lethal Acrodermatitis



  • Type Disease
    Skin
  • Name
    Lethal Acrodermatitis
  • Abbreviation
    LAx
  • Description
    This fatal disorder is caused by a defect in zinc metabolism. Stunted growth is usually the first sign, followed by progressive reddening and crusting of the skin around the mouth and eyes, on the ears, and between the toes. Affected pups have a small or absent thymus - a gland that is an important part of the immune system - and commonly develop chronic skin infections, pneumonia, and/or diarrhea.\nAffected pups usually die or are euthanized before adulthood, due to untreatable infections and progressive wasting.\nLethal acrodermatitis of bull terriers resembles acrodermatitis enteropathica in people and lethal trait A46 in black pied Danish cattle. However in the disorder in bull terriers, treatment with zinc does not reverse the clinical signs as it does in people and calves.
  • How Transferred
    This is an autosomal recessive trait.
  • What to Look for
    This condition is usually apparent before the pups are weaned. Affected pups are lighter in color, their growth is stunted, and, usually by 1 to 3 months of age, their feet are splayed with reddening, cracking and crusting of the footpads and skin between the toes. The ears, mouth and eye margins are affected as well. Commonly, these pups develop generalized skin infections, diarrhea, and pneumonia. Although these conditions can be treated symptomatically, there is no treatment for the disorder itself. Affected pups gradually become less and less active, and usually die or are euthanized before the age of 6 or 7 months due to overwhelming infection and progressive wasting.
  • Diagnosis
    Diagnosis is usually made on history and clinical signs in a young bull terrier, especially where siblings are affected as well. Your veterinarian will likely do certain tests to rule out other possible causes of your dog's signs.
  • Treatment
    Diagnosis is usually made on history and clinical signs in a young bull terrier, especially where siblings are affected as well. Your veterinarian will likely do certain tests to rule out other possible causes of your dog's signs.
  • Veterinarian Information
    If several siblings are affected, a presumptive diagnosis of lethal acrodermatitis can be made. With a single affected dog, rule-outs include pemphigus foliaceus, zinc-responsive dermatosis, demodicosis, dermatophytosis, staphylococcal or Malassezia infection (secondary to congenital immunodeficiency), drug sensitivity. Skin biopsies are characteristic but not diagnostic. Blood profile may show reduced zinc levels, elevated ALT and ALP, and impaired lymphocyte blastogenesis.\nOn post-mortem the thymus is hypo plastic or absent.
  • Breeding Considerations
    Affected animals generally do not live long enough to breed. Their parents are carriers and should not be bred. Siblings should not be bred either as they have a 50% chance of being carriers of this lethal trait.
  • Known Breeds Affected
    Bull terrier

Type Disease

Known Breeds Affected

Type Disease

Known Breeds Affected