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