Vitamin A-responsive dermatosis
Also known as: Vitamin-A-responsive Dermatose · Vitamin A-responsive dermatosis of Cocker Spaniels · Vitamin-A-abhängige Dermatose · Vitamin-A-sensitive Dermatose · Vitamin A-responsive skin disease
Overview
What it is
This is a rare skin condition where the dog's hair follicles cannot properly use vitamin A, which is essential for healthy skin development. Instead of a simple dietary deficiency, it is a localized metabolic issue that disrupts how skin cells mature and shed, a process known as keratinization.
How it presents
Symptoms typically appear in young adulthood, presenting as heavy skin scaling, hair loss, clogged pores, and thick crusts. Affected dogs are also prone to developing frequent ear infections.
Treatment
This condition is incurable but can be managed successfully with lifelong, veterinarian-supervised vitamin A supplementation. The expected lifetime cost for ongoing medication and veterinary check-ups ranges from €1,000 to €3,500.
How it's tested
Affected breeds
1 of 1 breeds
Treatment cost
Estimated range of typical treatment cost. Actual cost depends on severity, clinic and region.
Frequently asked
What is Vitamin A-responsive dermatosis?
This is a rare skin condition where the dog's hair follicles cannot properly use vitamin A, which is essential for healthy skin development. Instead of a simple dietary deficiency, it is a localized metabolic issue that disrupts how skin cells mature and shed, a process known as keratinization.
How is Vitamin A-responsive dermatosis tested?
Various clinical and genetic tests are used depending on the breed and presentation.
Which breeds are most affected?
Most commonly affected: Labrador Retriever.