Cutaneous asthenia associated with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome in a Yorkshire terrier

tisue disease of dog and cat, resembling Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) in man. EDS is characterizedby loose, hyperextensible and, fragile skin, it is attributed to mutations in connective tisue gene. Thesemutations cause defects in type I or II collagen synthesis and as a result lack of strength or elasticityto skin, joint, ligament and vessels. EDS-affected animals often experience subcutaneous hematomas thathave long bleeding times. The 4-years old male Yorkshire terrier was evaluated because of subcutaneoushematoma after stifle surgery. Clinical examination revealed a thin and hyperextensible skin and jointlaxity. The degree of skin extensibility index was 23.4%, marked skin stretchy. Clinical diagnosis wasconfirmed by histophathological examination of a skin biopsy revealing reduced packing density ofcollagen fiber of skin.