Hereditary Nasal Parakeratosis (Discovered in the Labrador Retriever)
Hereditary nasal parakeratosis (HNPK) is a disorder causing crusting and dryness of the nose, leading to soreness and irritation.
Found in
1 in 630 dogs
in our testing
Key Signs
Crusts, Cracking, Dryness of nose
Age of Onset
0 to 2 yrs
Juvenile onset
Inheritance
Autosomal Recessive
For autosomal recessive disorders, dogs with two copies of the variant are at risk of developing the condition. Dogs with one copy of the variant are considered carriers and are usually not at risk of developing the disorder. However, carriers of some complex variants grouped in this category may be associated with a low risk of developing the disorder. Individuals with one or two copies may pass the disorder-associated variant to their puppies if bred.
Likelihood of the Condition
High likelihood
At risk dogs are highly likely to show signs of this disease in their lifetime.
What to Do
Here’s how to care for a dog with HNPK
Partner with your veterinarian to make a plan regarding your dog’s well-being, including any insights provided through genetic testing. If your pet is at risk or is showing signs of this disorder, then the first step is to speak with your veterinarian.
For Veterinarians
Here’s what a vet needs to know about HNPK
Clinical signs of the disease typically emerge at 6-12 months of age as dry, rough crusts develop on the nose. Dryness of the skin can lead to cracks in the skin of the nose. These painful, bloody cracks can cause chronic irritation and inflammation of the noses skin. Depigmentation of the nose occurs over time and the nose changes from dark to a lighter color. The condition can be managed with life-long care and medication.
Supportive treatment based on the dog's specific clinical signs is recommended and often involves moisturizing agents.
For Breeders
Planning to breed a dog with this genetic variant?
There are many responsibilities to consider when breeding dogs. Regardless of test results it is important that your dog is in good general health and that you are in a position to care for the puppies if new responsible owners are not found. For first time or novice breeders, advice can be found at most kennel club websites.
This disease is autosomal recessive meaning that two copies of the mutation are needed for disease signs to develop. A carrier dog with one copy of the HNPK mutation can be safely bred with a clear dog with no copies of the HNPK mutation. About half of the puppies will have one copy (carriers) and half will have no copies of the HNPK mutation. Puppies in a litter which is expected to contain carriers should be tested prior to breeding. Carrier to carrier matings are not advised as the resulting litter may contain affected puppies. Please note: It is possible that disease signs similar to the ones caused by the HNPK mutation could develop due to a different genetic or clinical cause.
Technical Details
| Gene | SUV39H2 |
|---|---|
| Variant | A>C |
| Chromosome | 2 |
| Coordinate | 21,731,842 |
All coordinates reference CanFam3.1
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References & Credit
Credit to our scientific colleagues:
Jagannathan, V., Bannoehr, J., Plattet, P., Hauswirth, R., Drögemüller, C., Drögemüller, M., … Leeb, T. (2013). A Mutation in the SUV39H2 Gene in Labrador Retrievers with Hereditary Nasal Parakeratosis (HNPK) Provides Insights into the Epigenetics of Keratinocyte Differentiation. PLoS Genetics, 9(10), 8–10. View the article
