Congenital ichthyosis in a Maltese dog: A case report

Abstract

This case report describes congenital ichthyosis in a Maltese dog, a condition, which has not previously been reported in this breed. The dog presented with several dry, tightly adhering scales showing a multi-focal appearance. The histology revealed severe orthokeratotic hyperkeratosis and hyperplasia with an irregular granular layer without epidermolysis. Non-epidermolytic ichthyosis (NI) has strong breed predilection in dogs, and its morphological features vary by breed while the microscopic changes are similar. It is likely to be the first reported case of congenital ichthyosis in a Maltese dog showing a different morphological appearance compared to other breeds with a higher prevalence of NI.