Nodular dermatofibrosis in a dog – case report

Nodular dermatofibrosis is a syndrome that affects middle-aged to old German shepherds, in which the appearance of dermal fibrotic nodules is associated with a concomitant and progressive kidney cystic disease. The cause is putatively genetic and the main clinical signs are of dermatological character, including papules and nodules on the limbs (carpus, tarsus, metacarpus and metatarsus), digits, cephalic region, and the trunk, albeit less frequently. The nodules are firm and hyperpigmented and can be cutaneous or subcutaneous. Systemic signs are also observed and related. There can be kidney insufficiency secondary to unilateral or bilateral kidney epithelial cysts, kidney cystadenoma or cystadenocarcinoma, as well as concomitant uterine leiomyomas. Diagnosis is obtained by histopathology of skin lesions and of kidney mass. There is no effective treatment for this syndrome. The aim of this study is to report a case of nodular dermatofibrosis in a male German shepherd.