Cutaneous Asthenia
Cutaneous asthenia is an inherited skin disorder characterized by extremely stretchy and fragile skin that tears at the slightest scratch causing scars and wounds. The disease mostly affects Beagles, Manchester Terrier, Welsh Corgi, and Greyhounds. There is no cure for this disease and most affected animals are euthanized.
Signs of Cutaneous Asthenia
- Numerous lesions of the skin
- Broad, thin scars on the skin
- Gaping bleeding wounds
- Stretchy, thin, and fragile skin
- Skin folds behind the elbows
The disease reveals during the first 6 months of the animal's life. It affects mostly dogs, cats, some small animals, and resembles the Ehlers-Danlos disease in humans. It is believed to be hereditary. The condition is due to a defect in the connective tissue (made of collagen) in the skin and can be caused by decreased production of collagen or production of a normal amount of defective collagen. The skin tears at the slightest contact with anything sharp - rough surfaces or even the dog's or cat's own paws.
The tears usually do not bleed. Small tears may heal rapidly leaving white scars. The tears may enlarge and form large wounds. Some forms of the condition also affect the blood vessels in the skin and may cause bruising and blisters. In dogs, this condition is linked to looseness in the joints and abnormalities of the eye.
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