Have you noticed any growths on your dog’s paws or in their nose? These growths could be hyperkeratosis. Hyperkeratosis in dogs is a fairly common condition, especially in middle-aged to older dogs. Here’s what you know about hyperkeratosis in dogs.

What is Hyperkeratosis in Dogs?

Hyperkeratosis in dogs is an autoimmune condition. It is a skin condition in which keratin, the protein that makes up skin, hair, and nails, grows at a rapid pace and causes growths on areas such as a dog’s paws, elbows, or nose.

The skin cells are called keratinocytes And when they grow at a rapid pace, they can cause feathered overgrowths or thick, frond-like growths. These areas can look scaly as well. Hyperkeratosis can also cause thickening and hardening of the skin, which can cause cracks and increase the risk of infection.

Hyperkeratosis in dogs can be caused by a variety of reasons, but it can also pop up with no explanation. Any breed is susceptible to hyperkeratosis but certain breeds do seem to be at a higher risk for it.

Breeds like Labrador Retrievers, Boston Terriers, Boxers, Beagles, and Basset Hounds are just a few of the breeds that tend to be at higher risk. Dogs that are middle-aged or older are also at a higher risk for hyperkeratosis.

Nasal Hyperkeratosis in Dogs

When hyperkeratosis occurs on your dog’s nose, it can cause their nose to be dry and crusty. It can even affect their sense of smell. Nasal hyperkeratosis is more common in brachycephalic breeds (dogs that have short or flat noses) and older dogs.

Hereditary Nasal Parakeratosis

Although nasal hyperkeratosis can develop in dogs as they age, there is also a related condition that can be inherited. This is called Hereditary Nasal Parakeratosis (HNPK) and inheritance is categorized as autosomal recessive.

There is an HNPK type that is specific to Labrador Retrievers. Because HNPK is recessive, both of the parents would have to have the mutated SUV39H2 gene and pass it to a puppy for that puppy to develop it. Usually, clinical signs of hereditary nasal parakeratosis will show up starting at 6 to 12 months. It can also come and go over time.

Labrador Retrievers that are not carriers of the mutated gene have no increased risk of having affected Lab puppies. Although the frequency of HNPK in Labs as a breed overall is unknown, it is still recommended to do genetic testing and to avoid breeding known carriers to each other.

Hyperkeratosis in Dogs’ Paws

The most common area for hyperkeratosis to develop is in dogs’ paws. You might notice growths on your dog’s paws in areas where inflammation has occurred. The area will be thick with a feathered or frond-like appearance. This results in dry, thickened skin. If these areas crack or fissure, they can be susceptible to secondary bacterial or fungal infections.

Is Hyperkeratosis in Dogs Painful?

If these hyperkeratosis spots are severe, they can cause dogs pain, especially if these spots are on their paws. Walking and standing may become painful or difficult. Limping and other mobility issues are a few signs your dog is in pain and should be seen by your veterinarian.

If the spots crack or bleed, this can also cause dogs pain and can lead to infection. The pressure of these overgrown spots can also be uncomfortable for your dog. If these spots are present on the elbows, it can make lying down hard for your dog, too.

What Causes Hyperkeratosis in Dogs

Most often, hyperkeratosis in dogs is either an inherited condition or it is considered idiopathic. This means that the cause is indiscernible and isn’t identifiable. In addition to developing as dogs age, hyperkeratosis in dogs can be caused by trauma to the skin, triggered by other immune-related conditions, or caused by infectious diseases. If it cannot be traced to trauma or infectious disease and the dog is otherwise healthy, the cause is almost always idiopathic.

Hyperkeratosis Caused by Repeated Trauma to the Skin

When hyperkeratosis can be traced back to trauma, it is usually when a spot of skin is repeatedly traumatized over time. It doesn’t even need to be a serious occurrence or injury; repeated trauma could be as simple as lying down a lot on hard surfaces without enough cushion, blanket, bedding, etc.

In these cases, pressure sores usually develop first, and then sometimes, the skin cells react by overproducing keratin leading to hyperkeratosis. This is often why hyperkeratosis is seen on pressure points, like paws or elbows, and why it tends to develop in older dogs.

Disease-Related Causes of Hyperkeratosis in Dogs

Hyperkeratosis in dogs can also be triggered by systemic infections or immune-mediated diseases. For example, biting flies are known to spread leishmaniasis and canine distemper viruses. These areas can become inflamed, and should a dog’s body react by overproducing keratin, it can lead to hyperkeratosis.

Although hyperkeratosis is considered an autoimmune disease itself, it can also be triggered by other conditions or diseases affecting the immune response. Systemic lupus erythematosus and pemphigus foliaceus are immune-mediated diseases that cause the body to attack or inflame skin/skin tissue. Because both of these conditions interact with and affect skin cells, they are known to sometimes lead to hyperkeratosis.

Hyperkeratosis Caused by Zinc Deficiencies

Another possible cause of hyperkeratosis in dogs is related to zinc deficiencies. Dogs with zinc-deficient diets or conditions that make them unable to properly process zinc can be prone to developing this condition.

Zinc-responsive dermatosis refers to skin abnormalities that are thought to be related to zinc deficiency or issues absorbing zinc. Because this condition creates skin lesions and causes trauma to the skin, hyperkeratosis can be a result if the body reacts by overproducing skin cells. Zinc-responsive dermatosis is generally broken into three types:

Type 1

The first type is associated with inadequate intestinal absorption of zinc caused by stress, gastrointestinal disease, or even heat cycles. Although it occurs most often in Alaskan breeds, it has also been reported in other breeds as well.

Type 2

Type 2 zinc-responsive dermatosis most often occurs in large and giant dog breeds that grow quickly. In some dogs, it is thought that some minerals in dietary supplements given to help promote growth can end up binding with zinc and interfering with absorption.

Dogs affected by this type may have lesions similar to type 1, may develop dog paw hyperkeratosis, may have enlarged or swollen lymph nodes, and may also suffer from appetite loss and lethargy.

Type 3

Type 3 zinc-responsive dermatosis is thought to be caused by poor-quality dog food. Often, dogs that have a poor diet or are eating food with not enough zinc can develop this condition, which can lead to hyperkeratosis.

You can avoid this by choosing the best dog food for your dog and making sure it meets the nutritional requirements set by the National Research Council. If you’re not sure about the food you’re feeding your dog, start by asking your vet for some recommendations.

How to Treat Hyperkeratosis in Dogs

There isn’t a cure for hyperkeratosis. However, the condition can be managed to give your dog some relief. These treatments include ointments and other topical balms to soften the hardened skin.

Depending on the specific situation, you may even be able to DIY paw balm at home to help your pup; just make sure you run specific ingredients or recipes by your vet first to make sure they will help with your dog’s hyperkeratosis.

Treating Secondary Infections

Whether a dog’s hyperkeratosis is idiopathic or inherited, any secondary infections will need to be treated provided the dog is otherwise healthy. Yeast or bacterial infections are common secondary infections with hyperkeratosis in dogs. For these, antifungal and antibiotic medications or ointments are common treatments.

Treating/Managing Primary Conditions

In cases where hyperkeratosis is the result of disease, treatment would follow what is needed to treat that specific disease. This could be the management of symptoms related to other autoimmune diseases and may involve immunosuppressants along with topical options

In the case of zinc deficiency, diet changes or supplements could be the recommended treatment. Depending on the source of the zinc deficiency and present symptoms, there may also be other recommendations.

Other conditions, like leishmaniasis and canine distemper virus, have poor prognoses. Treatment in these cases will depend on the disease, the severity of the disease, and how sick the dog is. Because of this, there is a wide range of treatment options; many of which include hospitalization. In severe cases with very poor prognoses, humane euthanasia may be recommended.

How to Prevent Hyperkeratosis in Dogs

Hyperkeratosis has several potential causes, and you can’t control or prevent all of them. Although there may not be much you can do if hyperkeratosis is genetic or caused by other immune-mediated conditions that develop, there may be some things you can do to help your dog avoid developing hyperkeratosis caused by other issues. Here’s how to prevent hyperkeratosis in dogs:

1. Regularly Check Your Dog’s Paws

Because hyperkeratosis can be caused by repeated trauma to paw pads over time or infection, regularly checking your dog’s paws, monitoring them, and caring for them can help prevent hyperkeratosis in dogs.

Regularly check your dog’s paws to make sure they are soft and healthy. You want to make sure that there aren’t any cracks or cuts that need to be addressed. Also, check for any patches of roughness on the surface of their paw pads. If it’s just general dryness, you can use a paw balm for dogs to help moisturize them and prevent cracks.

2. Trim Nails Regularly

Long nails are uncomfortable for your dog. Not only can they contribute to accidents and make movement uncomfortable, but they can get caught on things and can even cause your dog to injure themselves while scratching.

Generally, cutting your dog’s nails once or twice a month is enough to keep them from growing too long and causing issues. Depending on your dog’s activities and how quickly their nails grow, you may need to cut them more often if they are not wearing down as much naturally. Usually, if you can hear your dog’s nails clicking on the floor, they are overdue for a trim.

3. Keep Your House in Order

Although it may not be the first thing that comes to mind, the state of your house can contribute to hyperkeratosis if the right set of circumstances line up. Sometimes, all it takes is a cut and the wrong bacteria to cause issues.

This doesn’t mean you have to over-sanitize everything, but it does mean you should clean up things that could cut or injure your dog, use dog-friendly cleaning products, and other home cleaning tips for dog owners.

Additionally, you want to be cleaning regularly so you’re not growing unintentional science experiments around your home. Also, take the time to look over your dog’s toys. Certain types of toys tend to harbor harmful bacteria and can cause issues if you’re not careful or don’t clean dog toys often enough or well enough.

4. Get the Canine Distemper Vaccine

The canine distemper virus is one of the infections that can lead to hyperkeratosis in dogs. Thankfully, there is a vaccination to provide protection against it. It’s more than worth it to check in with your vet and make sure your dog is up-to-date on all standard vaccinations.

5. Feed Your Dog a Balanced Diet

Mineral deficiencies and inadequate nutrition can cause a lot of health issues in dogs. In the case of hyperkeratosis, zinc deficiencies can be a cause. Make sure you are feeding your dog high-quality, nutritious, and balanced food so they are getting everything their bodies need. You can also work with your vet to ensure you’re feeding the right food.

If there is anything missing or your dog needs something specific, your vet can help you work out a plan for how to supplement your dog’s diet and get them the nutrition they need. This could involve switching food, using specially-formulated dog food, using actual supplements, or even just including some of the best fruits and veggies for dogs to round out what they’re eating.

6. Protect Your Dog’s Paws

A big part of preventing hyperkeratosis in dogs when it is not genetically linked is preventing trauma to paws and noses. Because of this, protecting your dog’s paws can go a long way in keeping your dog comfortable, preventing injury, reducing irritations, and preventing hyperkeratosis. Outdoor adventure products for dogs are a good idea for dogs that do a variety of activities and can be helpful in this situation too.

Protective dog boots, in particular, can protect paw pads in hot or cold weather, prevent scrapes or injury from rugged terrain, avoid contact with harsh or damaging chemicals while outside during different seasons, and more. Not only does this make your dog more comfortable across various outdoor surfaces, but it also reduces trauma to their paw pads and helps prevent hyperkeratosis.

7. Visit the Vet For Regular Checkups

Staying on top of your dog’s health is one of the best ways to prevent hyperkeratosis and other health problems in dogs. Not only will your vet be able to check over your dog for any warning signs of things going on, but you also have the opportunity to review diet and nutrition, activity, behavioral changes, and more. All of these things provide valuable insights for your vet that can help them help you take good care of your dog.

This is just an overview of what to know about hyperkeratosis in dogs. If you suspect your dog has hyperkeratosis, schedule a visit with your veterinarian. They’ll be able to determine the best course of action to get your pup back to feeling better!