Localized parakeratotic hyperkeratosis in sixteen Boston terrier dogs.
BACKGROUND
Although zinc responsive dermatosis is typically a disorder of Arctic breed dogs, this study identifies similar cutaneous lesions on the face and pressure points of Boston terrier dogs.


OBJECTIVE
To document the clinical and histological features of localized parakeratotic hyperkeratosis of Boston terrier dogs, to determine if the lesions respond to zinc supplementation and to determine whether tissue zinc levels were decreased in affected versus unaffected dogs.


METHODS
Sixteen Boston terrier dogs with similar gross and histological findings were identified retrospectively from two institutions. Follow-up information for nine dogs from one institution was obtained from referring veterinarians using a questionnaire. Tissue zinc levels were measured from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded skin biopsy samples of affected and unaffected dogs using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.


RESULTS
Mild to severe parakeratotic hyperkeratosis with follicular involvement was present in all 16 cases. Of the nine dogs for which follow-up information was available, five dogs received oral zinc supplementation and four dogs had documented clinical improvement or resolution of dermatological lesions. The median skin zinc levels were not significantly different between affected and unaffected dogs.


CONCLUSIONS
To the best of the authors' knowledge this is the first report of localized parakeratotic hyperkeratosis in Boston terrier dogs, some of which improved with oral zinc supplementation. Prospective studies in Boston terrier dogs are warranted to document potential zinc deficiency (serum and/or tissue levels, pre- and post-treatment) and to objectively assess response to zinc supplementation and other therapies.
Department of Clinical Studies, Section of Dermatology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3800 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
Fiona F
FF
Lee
Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3800 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
Charles W
CW
Bradley
Department of Clinical Studies, Section of Dermatology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3800 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
Christine L
CL
Cain
Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, 1 Garrod Dr, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
Stephen D
SD
White
Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, 1 Garrod Dr, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
Catherine A
CA
Outerbridge
Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3800 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
Lisa A
LA
Murphy
Department of Clinical Studies, Section of Dermatology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3800 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA. emauldin@vet.upenn.edu.|Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3800 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA. emauldin@vet.upenn.edu.
Elizabeth A
EA
Mauldin
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D010241:Parakeratosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000662:veterinary; D012873:Skin Diseases, Genetic / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use
D015032:Zinc