VetGen - The leader in veterinary genetic disease research and genetic disease detection services for purebred animals

Breeds Serviced

  • Australian Labradoodle
  • Labradoodle
  • Labrador Retriever

HNPK - Hereditary Nasal Parakeratosis

Hereditary nasal parakeratosis (HNPK) is an inherited autosomal recessive skin disorder found in Labrador retriever dogs that is characterized by a buildup of keratinocytes or hyperkeratosis, thickening and hardening of the skin, causing crusts, fissures and depigmentation of the nasal planum. These symptoms begin to develop around 6 months.A mutation for this hereditary skin disorder has been identified at the University of Bern in Switzerland.The disease is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner.