title: Hepatocutaneous syndrome in Shih Tzus: 31 cases (1996-2014).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To characterize findings in Shih Tzus with progressive superficial necrolytic dermatitis and degenerative vacuolar hepatopathy consistent with hepatocutaneous syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  31 Shih Tzus.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical records were reviewed to obtain information on signalment, history, treatment, outcome, and results of clinicopathologic testing, abdominal ultrasonography, and histologic examination of skin and liver specimens. A pedigree analysis was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 16 males and 15 females. Median age at the time of diagnosis was 8 years (range, 5 to 14 years). Common clinical signs included lethargy, inappetence, weight loss, and lameness. Twenty-five dogs had cutaneous lesions consistent with hepatocutaneous syndrome; the remaining 6 initially only had hepatic abnormalities, but 3 of the 6 subsequently developed cutaneous lesions. Common clinicopathologic abnormalities included microcytosis (15/24 [63%] dogs) and high serum alkaline phosphatase activity (24/24 [100%] dogs). Hepatic ultrasonographic findings included a hyperechoic or heteroechoic appearance to the parenchyma with innumerable hypoechoic nodules. Histologic hepatic lesions consisted of degenerative vacuolar (glycogen and lipid) hepatopathy associated with minimally fibrotic to nonfibrotic, noninflammatory, proliferative nodules. Pedigree analysis confirmed a common ancestry in 12 of 18 dogs. Median survival time was 3 months (range, 1 to 36 months).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results suggested that HCS may have a heritable component in Shih Tzus, although the condition may also be identified in Shih Tzus without affected relatives. Clinical, clinicopathologic, ultrasonographic, and histologic abnormalities in affected Shih Tzus were similar to those previously reported for dogs of other breeds with HCS.
authors.forename: Deborah L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Hall-Fonte
authors.forename: Sharon A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Center
authors.forename: Sean P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: McDonough
authors.forename: Jeanine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Peters-Kennedy
authors.forename: Thomas S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Trotter
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Lucy
authors.forename: Elyse
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Berger
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Byers
authors.forename: Clifford G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Cummings
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Burke
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stegemen
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pintar
authors.forename: Larry
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kantrowitz
authors.forename: Kristopher
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sharpe
authors.forename: Tristan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Weinkle
mesh_terms: D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000502:physiology; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D001706:Biopsy / Q000662:veterinary; D001947:Breeding; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D010375:Pedigree; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D013577:Syndrome; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000662:veterinary
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D006728:Hormones