How to talk to clients about their wrinkly faced dogs

Healthy skin is important for a dog’s comfort and quality of life, but maintaining the health and cleanliness of a wrinkly dog’s skin can be a major challenge. Owners of breeds such as Pugs, Bulldogs, Shar Peis, Mastiffs, Pekingese, and Bloodhounds need to know that their dog will be predisposed to getting infections in their skin folds, among other skin and breed-related issues. Some of these same breeds also tend to get hyperkeratosis of the nose and/or paw pads. 

• If possible, make owners aware of this before any problems arise. When these breeds are in for wellness visits mention that the owner should monitor the appearance of the skin folds and nose. That way if they notice any early signs of irritation in the folds or crusting on the nose, they can seek early treatment.

• To educate owners about these conditions, a simple anatomy discussion is often helpful: the flattened face creates skin folds that accumulate tears, dirt, bacteria, and yeast. The same conformation can also be linked to tear-duct obstructions, which can increase facial tearing. Increased tearing creates even more moisture, dirt, and debris in skin folds, predisposing them to infection. 

•  There may also be a correlation between blocked nasolacrimal ducts and nasal hyperkeratosis due to impaired functioning of glands that normally keep the nose moist. Although there are many additional differential diagnoses for nasal hyperkeratosis, this is a simple way to describe to pet owners that certain breeds may be at-risk. In these ways, basic anatomy is a great tool for describing why these conditions may affect an owner’s wrinkly dog. Ultimately, if an owner understands why their dog is predisposed to these conditions, they will likely do a better job monitoring at home and reporting issues proactively.

A wrinkly dog with either skin fold dermatitis or hyperkeratosis is likely to deal with the condition long term. However, owners should be educated that these conditions are worth the effort to manage even if their dog will always have the condition. Committing to preventative measures like regular cleaning of the skin folds can reduce or eliminate infection-related complications and subsequent pain. Monitoring of the nasal epithelium can identify hyperkeratosis in its early stages when it is easier to manage. In some cases with early intervention we may be able to use topical prescriptions to prevent serious progression of hyperkeratosis. 

 Overall, pre-emptive owner education is the best tool in managing hyperkeratosis or infection-prone skin folds. Making owners aware of these conditions and how they impact their pet is fundamental to keeping wrinkly dogs comfortable and healthy.