Hepatocutaneous syndrome in a West Highland White Terrier

Abstract

An eight-year-old castrated male West Highland White Terrier was referred to Cornell University Hospital for Animals on May 16th, 2011 with a chief complaint of 2-3 months of lethargy and increased liver enzyme activities [alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP)]. Clinical signs included hyperkeratosis and fissuring of paw pads on all feet, crusting lesions and erythema at the oral commissures and perineum, and prominent mandibular and superficial cervical lymph nodes. An abdominal ultrasound revealed a diffuse, hypoechoic nodular pattern to the liver parenchyma. An amino acid profile was consistent with superficial necrolytic dermatitis (SND). A presumptive diagnosis of hepatocutaneous syndrome was made. This report describes the presentation, diagnosis and medical interventions applied to this case as well as a general discussion of the disease syndrome.