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Dermatology and the aging dog
Clark M. D.
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As dogs age, their skin also ages; this paper offers an overview of what these changes are and the most common dermatologic conditions seen in older dogs.
Mitzi D. Clark
DVM, Dip. ACVD, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
Dr. Clark received her DVM from Louisiana State University and went on to complete a small animal rotating internship at the MSPCA Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston and a residency in Veterinary Dermatology at Cornell University. She then worked in private practice in Austin, Texas as a Board-Certified Veterinary Dermatologist for several years before returning to Cornell in 2019, where she is currently an Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology and Dermatology Section Chief.
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Key points
- As dogs age, various skin changes occur; these include callus formation, loss of elasticity and wrinkling, as well as alterations in hair color and texture.
- Common endocrinopathies such as hypothyroidism and hyperadrenocorticism have significant effects on the skin and hair coat.
- Any patient suspected of having demodicosis should be skin scraped, regardless of their preventative status.
- Epitheliotropic lymphoma has a varied clinical presentation, and can be easily mistaken for other inflammatory or infectious skin diseases.
Geriatric dermatology – An introduction
Skin is an amazing organ, continuously battling the elements and protecting vital structures, but as dogs age, their skin and hair coat age as well. Callus formation, loss of elasticity, skin wrinkling, and changes in hair color and texture can be seen. The immune system ages with the dog, and older animals are more susceptible to skin infections and may have difficulty keeping their resident Demodex mite populations in check. Additionally, some systemic diseases are more common in the geriatric dog, many of which have cutaneous manifestations – for example, hypothyroidism and hyperadrenocorticism can be most evident at times through their skin changes. Metabolic conditions, such as superficial necrolytic dermatitis, also occur more often in the aging population. Finally, geriatric canines are more likely to develop cutaneous masses – both benign and malignant tumors – than their younger counterparts. This paper offers an overview of dermatology in the geriatric dog.
General changes to the skin and hair coat
Senile changes occur at various ages in our pet population – typically later in life for small breed dogs, and earlier for larger ones. Genetic factors, breed differences, nutritional support and many environmental factors can all influence the onset of aging changes. Senescence is a normal process that cannot be avoided; as dogs get older, their ability to rejuvenate their cellular population wanes, there is increased cellular atrophy in most structures, and a variety of changes at the microscopic and ultrastructural levels can be observed.
The epidermis may thin, especially with extreme age, poor nutrition, and certain endocrinopathies that are more common in older animals. Some dogs develop skin hyperpigmentation with age, which cannot be attributed to more common causes (sun exposure, trauma, endocrinopathies) (1). Epidermal collagen fibers show increased cross-linkage, and their bundles appear more fragmented. Elastin fibers lose elasticity and show increased calcium and pseudoelastin in their fibers; fragmentation may also be seen (2). Arrector pili muscles can appear fragmented, vacuolated, and sometimes hard to find. Some older literature describes cystic dilation of epitrichial sweat glands, and even atrophy of sebaceous glands (1). Blood vessels and lymphatics do not typically change in appearance with age. Perifollicular mineralization in the dermis is a reported change in older poodles (3),(4).
Commonly visible changes to aging skin and hair coat, along with potential causes, include (2),(5),(6):
- Graying of the hairs (Figure 1): atrophy of pigment cells and reduced tyrosinase activity
- Dull coat appearance: changes in sebum production
- Thinner hair coat: decreased follicular activity
- Skin wrinkling: tissue dehydration, loss of skin elasticity, possible epidermal atrophy
- Callus formation: prolonged pressure exposure and hyperkeratosis
- Paw pad hyperkeratosis (Figure 2): aging hyperkeratosis as well as hyperkeratosis secondary to abnormal wear of the paw pads, and also gait changes secondary to osteoarthritis
![Vet focus journal 333 figure 1 Graying of the muzzle of an older dog](/sites/default/files/images/media/image/vf-333-article-3-gb-figure-1.jpeg)
Figure 1. Graying of the muzzle of an older dog.
© Dr. Mitzi Clark
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