Sorrel's
Lip Fold Dermatitis
Sorrel - a lovely 3yr old female
black Cocker Spaniel
was brought to us with a recurring dermatitis of the lower lips at each side
of the mouth.
The skin was red and swollen, covered with matted fur and with a bad smell.
She clearly found the dermatitis irritating and frequently tried to rub her
lips with her paws and rub her face along the carpet.
Lip Fold dermatitis is a common skin disease of the lips of dogs especially
those with a little more skin on their face than they really need. Spaniels
of all types are particularly prone to the condition. Excess skin results in
skin folds which, once they become inflamed, swell and deepen, further
encouraging bacterial growth. Mild cases can be managed by regular facial
hygiene, washing the folds 2 - 3 times a week with antiseptic shampoo
(usually Malaseb).
Sorrel was treated with Malaseb and antibiotics but the condition kept
returning.
Surgical correction involved removal of the skin folds, a sort of face lift
of the lips.
Sorrel under general anaesthetic with the lip fold dermatitis clip and
cleaned ready for surgery.
Surgical removal of the inflamed skin folds
Surgery completed, skin sutures
placed.
The same procedure was performed on both sides of the mouth.
Sorrel was given anti-inflammatories
and antibiotics for a week.
There was a partial breakdown of some of the sutures during healing but the
wounds healed well without further intervention. Stitches out after 2 weeks
and Sorrel was back to normal. She has had no further problems with lip fold
dermatitis since. (the surgery was performed in March 2009).
Skin fold dermatitis can occur
where ever excess skin causes skin folds:
Facial folds in Boxers, Pekes and
other short nosed breeds,
Corkscrew tail folds in Bulldogs.
Vulval folds in overweight dogs
Anywhere on a Shar Pei !
Most can be corrected by nip and tuck surgery.
David Higginson MRCVS
<top of
page>
