Collagen dysplasia in a litter of Garafiano shepherd dogs

Abstract

A connective tissue disease resembling the human Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is reported in three Garafiano shepherd dogs from the same litter. The clinical signs included skin hyperextensibility and fragility, joint laxity, and ocular lesions. Microscopical studies showed abnormalities in the packing of collagen in fibrils and fibres in the skin. Systemic connective tissue defects were demonstrated in one necropsied puppy.