Epidermolysis bullosa is an inherited disease that makes the skin so fragile that it blisters from minor rubbing. It is a group of related genetic disorders in which the outer layer of the skin does not stay anchored to the layer beneath it, so a small bump or rub pulls the layers apart and a blister forms [1][2]. Congenital means present from birth.
See your vet if a puppy or kitten has blisters, raw patches or sores on its feet, mouth, face or genitals.
For other foot problems in cats, see footpad problems in cats.
What happens in the skin
The skin has an outer and an inner layer, held together by anchoring proteins. In this disease a gene change leaves one of those proteins missing or faulty [1][2]. Friction or a minor knock is then enough to split the layers [2][3].
The blisters break open quickly and leave raw, shallow sores called erosions, or deeper open sores called ulcers [1][3].
The forms are named after the level where the skin splits: simplex (inside the outer layer), junctional (at the boundary between the layers) and dystrophic (just below that boundary) [2][4]. All of these have been described in dogs, and junctional and simplex forms in cats [2].
Which pets get it
The disease is rare. In dogs it has been reported in German Shorthaired Pointers and Australian Shepherds (junctional form), Golden Retrievers and Akitas (dystrophic form) and Eurasiers (simplex form) [4], in a Cardigan Welsh Corgi [3] and in related mixed-breed puppies [1]. Mixed-breed dogs can carry inherited diseases too, especially when close relatives are mated [1].
In cats, cases have been described in domestic shorthair, American Shorthair and European Shorthair cats [2].
When it shows up
Signs usually start in the first weeks of life. One puppy’s blisters were noticed shortly after birth [3], a group of littermates started showing signs at about 6 to 8 weeks of age [1], and one kitten already had sores at 3 weeks [2].
Signs
- Blisters and raw patches: blisters that burst and leave raw sores, often after normal handling or play [1][3].
- Where: the worst sores tend to be on the paw pads, inside the mouth (tongue, gums, lips), on the ears and on the belly and groin [1][2][3].
- Claws and footpads: claws can loosen and fall off, and the nail beds and pads can ulcerate [1][2].
- Eating: mouth sores can make eating painful, so a young animal may drop food or chew on one side [2].
How vets diagnose it
Your vet will examine the puppy or kitten, ask about its littermates and family, and decide which tests are needed. A skin biopsy shows where the layers have split, and a genetic test can sometimes find the gene change [1][2].
Care
There is no cure. Care aims to protect the skin from needless rubbing and to prevent problems such as infection, pain and poor eating [2]. Your vet will advise on care for a puppy or kitten with fragile skin.
At home, as directed by a vet:
- handle the puppy or kitten in the way your vet shows you;
- tell your vet about any new blister, sore or loose claw or footpad;
- go back for every recheck.
Outlook
The outlook depends on the form and on how severe it is. Severe forms are often fatal, and many affected puppies and kittens die or are put to sleep in their first months because of pain and sores that do not heal [1][2]. Milder cases do exist: one cat with the junctional form was still alive at 11 years, with signs that eased over time [2], and a Corgi with the simplex form was doing well at 17 months, with blisters that came and went and healed with scars [3]. Your vet can tell you what to expect for your pet.
These are statements about groups of animals. They cannot predict how one pet will do. Your vet can explain what this means for your pet.
When to see your vet
See your vet if a puppy or kitten has:
- blisters, or shiny, flat, raw sores [1][3];
- sores on the feet, mouth, face or genitals [1][2];
- claws or footpads that come loose or fall off [1][2].
FAQ
Is epidermolysis bullosa contagious?
No. It is caused by a gene change passed down from the parents, so it is inherited, not caught. In the reported puppies, both parents carried the change without being ill themselves [1].
Why does my puppy get blisters from normal play?
In this disease the skin layers are poorly attached, so ordinary rubbing can split them and cause blisters [1][3]. See your vet.
The bottom line
Epidermolysis bullosa is an inherited disease in which the layers of the skin do not hold together, so minor rubbing causes blisters that break into raw sores. It shows up at birth or in the first weeks of life, worst on the paw pads, mouth, ears and belly, and claws can come off. It has been reported in several dog breeds, in mixed-breed puppies and in shorthair cats. Severe forms are often fatal, while milder forms can allow a longer life. See your vet if a puppy or kitten has blisters or raw sores.
This article is for general information only and does not replace advice from your veterinarian. If a puppy or kitten has blisters or raw sores, see your vet.
Sources
- Kiener S, Kaufmann R, Brenner O, Jagannathan V, Leeb T. SINE Insertion in LAMA3 in Dogs With Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa. Animal Genetics. 2026;57:e70190. Open access (CC BY 4.0). https://doi.org/10.1002/age.70190
- Kiener S, Troyer H, Ruvolo D, et al. Independent COL17A1 Variants in Cats with Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa. Genes (Basel). 2023;14:1835. Open access (CC BY). https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14101835
- Kiener S, Mauldin EA, Jagannathan V, Casal ML, Leeb T. KRT5 missense variant in a Cardigan Welsh Corgi with epidermolysis bullosa simplex. Animal Genetics. 2022;53:892-896. Open access (CC BY 4.0). https://doi.org/10.1111/age.13257
- Marín-García PJ, Llobat L. Inheritance of Monogenic Hereditary Skin Disease and Related Canine Breeds. Veterinary Sciences. 2022;9:433. Open access (CC BY). https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci9080433