Dog Health & CareHyperkeratosis in Dogs: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

Hyperkeratosis in Dogs: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

Hyperkeratosis is a skin condition that commonly affects dogs. Their skin turns abnormally thick and the skin in paw pads or nose too turns extremely hard. This condition makes your dog uncomfortable and unable to move. If you leave your doggy untreated, it damages his or her overall well-being badly.

Hyperkeratosis in Dogs
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Symptoms of Hyperkeratosis in Dogs

You can see symptoms of this condition in their bodies. There are common symptoms that you can notice in dogs that have Hyperkeratosis. Their soft, smooth skin around paw pads or nose turns rough and develops crusty patches. Their hardened skin develops cracks and fissures giving them a lot of pain and making them prone to infections. The affected area of your dog’s skin experiences a discoloration, often becoming darker or more pigmented. You can see the symptoms of the condition in summary as follows:

  • Thickened skin
  • Crusty patches
  • Cracks and fissures
  • Skin discoloration

Causes of Hyperkeratosis in Dogs

Your dog may be prone to Hyperkeratosis for different causes. It is often transmitted through genes. For example, dogs of breeds such as Labrador Retrievers, Irish Terriers, and Dogues de Bordeaux are already predisposed to this condition. Also, you may not notice the chronic infections in your dog, not purposely though. Having infections in your dog unnoticed may affect their skin or nasal passages which could easily trigger hyperkeratosis. If you pay less attention to your dog’s dietary requirements, it is a loophole to affect your dog with hyperkeratosis. You must provide him with essential vitamins and minerals that groom healthy skin. Some disorders relate to this condition such as pemphigus or discoid lupus erythematosus. These underlying conditions are also secondary symptoms of hyperkeratosis. In short,

  • Genetic transmissions
  • chronic infections
  • lack of concern on dog’s dietary needs
  • Autoimmune disorders

cause hyperkeratosis in dogs, affecting their good health.

How to diagnose Hyperkeratosis in dogs

You have to determine whether your dog has mild symptoms like thickened skin around paw pads or nose, at first. Then, usher your dog to his veterinarian. He examines the physical changes in the affected areas and ensures that signs of hyperkeratosis exist.  Your dog has to undergo skin scraping or biopsies to diagnose the condition following a physical examination.

How to treat Hyperkeratosis

Hyperkeratosis in dogs
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Many people worry if their beloved pet is diagnosed with Hyperkeratosis condition. Early diagnosis of Hyperkeratosis helps your doggy to overcome its pain and threat on life.

  • Tropical Treatments: Applying moisturizer balms or creams softens the hardened skin of your dog and gives him relief. It hydrates the dog’s skin and eliminates dryness in the affected area.
  • Prescribed Medicines: Medicines like retinoids or corticosteroids reduce excessive keratin production and inflammation in the affected area. You can use such medicines according to the vet’s prescription.
  • Dietary adjustments: you have to be attentive to what you give your dog to eat. What your dog eats does affect its skin growth and also helps to manage hyperkeratosis conditions.
  • Surgical intervention: Worse condition of hyperkeratosis, sometimes, expose your dog to surgical treatments. Sometimes they lose mobility which affects their quality of life. In that case, surgery is done to correct that condition.

Long-Term Management of Hyperkeratosis

Hyperkeratosis in dogs
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If you want to keep your dog out of Hyperkeratosis for a long time, you must give consistent care and attention. You can abide the following guidelines to manage your dog’s well-being by drawing away from Hyperkeratosis.

  • Keep affected areas clean: You have to clean your dog’s affected area very well and moisturize the affected area by applying the prescribed moisturizer to prevent further skin complications in your dog’s skin.
  • Monitor dog’s skin condition: You have to continuously monitor your dog’s skin condition. if you notice changes, you have to seek veterinary advice immediately.
  • Provide a nutritious diet: Provide your doggy with a nutritious diet that enhances its immune system and skin function. By giving a good diet, you support your dog to maintain its health.

Some dogs may face severe hyperkeratosis conditions, but some may get only mild symptoms. Had proper treatment been given, when it is identified at an early stage, your dog can be cured easily. But you have to be vigilant on their health to notice signs of hyperkeratosis and as the next step, reach your veterinarian for a diagnostic test. Understand the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for hyperkeratosis. Consequently, you can provide effective care and support for your beloved canine companion.

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