Veterinary Guide to Canine Hyperkeratosis 2025 🩺🐾
In this article
Veterinary Guide to Canine Hyperkeratosis 2025 🩺🐾
By Dr. Duncan Houston BVSc
🧬 What Is Hyperkeratosis?
Hyperkeratosis is an overproduction of keratin, resulting in thickened, dry, crusty skin, most commonly on paw pads, nose bridge, and elbow calluses. It may appear as a "hairy" or frond-like growth, creating discomfort, cracking, bleeding, or secondary infections 🦠🐶.
👥 Who Gets It & Why?
- Breeds: Bulldogs, Pugs, Boston Terriers, Retrievers, Irish Terriers, Dogues de Bordeaux 🐕
- Age: Middle-aged to senior dogs—common in idiopathic (age-related) forms 🧓
- Causes: Autoimmune (pemphigus, lupus), distemper, zinc deficiency, trauma 🧪
- Friction zones: Flat-faced breeds & inverted paws often experience excess keratin buildup 🐾
🔍 Clinical Signs
- Crusty, thick paw pads or dry, cracked nose 👃
- “Hairy” texture on feet or nose bridge 🧤
- Cracks, bleeding, limping, licking, or sensitivity 😢
- Secondary skin infections are possible if untreated 🦠
🔬 Diagnosis
- Physical exam: Diagnosis is often visual + tactile 👀🖐️
- Labwork: Bloodwork, zinc levels if systemic causes are suspected 🧪
- Biopsy: If autoimmune or infectious disease is suspected 🔬
- Skin cytology: Rule out secondary bacterial or fungal infections 🧫
🛠️ Treatment Options
💧 Daily Topical Management
- Warm water soaks to soften dry areas 🌊
- Keratin removal—performed gently by a vet ✂️
- Balms, waxes, or salicylic acid-based moisturizers 💦
- Use antimicrobial ointments if infection is present 🧴
🧬 Treating Underlying Disease
- Autoimmune: Prednisone, cyclosporine, or topical steroids 💊
- Infectious: Distemper or leishmaniasis require pathogen-specific therapy 🦠
- Nutritional: Zinc supplementation + omega-3 fatty acid support 🐟🥦
🏠 At-Home Care Tips
- Apply balm daily to keep skin flexible 🧴
- Use booties in hot or icy environments ❄️🔥
- Keep bedding soft to prevent elbow calluses 🛏️
- Monitor paws/nose weekly for cracks or new lesions 🔍
- Feed a complete, balanced diet with skin-supportive nutrients 🍽️
📱 Ask A Vet Integration
- Teleconsults: Upload pad/nose photos and track symptoms remotely 📸
- Reminders: Daily alerts to reapply ointments and soak paws ⏰
🎓 Case Study: “Buster” the Bulldog
Buster had cracked, frond-like pads and was limping. Diagnosis: idiopathic hyperkeratosis. He received foot soaks, pad balm, gentle trimming, and zinc-rich food. Three weeks later—no pain, no cracks, and back to daily park walks! 🐾🌳
🔚 Final Takeaways
- Hyperkeratosis is chronic but manageable with care 🧼
- Daily soaks + moisturizing are the foundation 🧴
- Identify and treat any underlying causes 🧪
- Stay consistent with at-home maintenance 🕒
- Ask A Vet supports your pup every paw-step of the way 🐶❤️
Dr Duncan Houston BVSc, founder of Ask A Vet. Download the Ask A Vet app now to protect your pup’s paws, nose, and comfort daily! 🐾
