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Dermoid Sinus is a congenital birth defect that is specific to the Rhodesian Ridgeback. Approximatley 5% of puppies are found to have the condition although some believe the figure to be closer to 10% but due to the actual amount of D.S puppies being culled it is hard to confirm, Also the topic is treated with a certain amound of shame and some Breeders prefer not to mention if they have had Dermoid Sinus puppies in their litter.
This diagram clearly shows 4 different depths a D.S can travel to.
The dermoid sinus (D.S.) has been known by many names, a few of which are dermoid cyst, hair cyst, and African cyst. It is a sinus, in that it is tubelike and does drain, and dermoid because it is skinlike, It may or may not contain hair follicles.
The bodies natural reaction is to fight the dead cells inside the tube thus most D.S sufferers have a build up of serum which is the bodies way of flushing away the debris.
Not all of the dermoid sinuses are true tubes. Some are not hollow and the serum and debris cannot drain. In these cases an abscess forms and the resulting swelling that accompanies can rupture the skin. This results in a very painful situation for the pup.
The D.S. is generally found on the midline of the neck, back, and tail along the spinal column. Although rarely found in the ridge there have been several cases noted. Dermoid sinuses have also been noted on ridgeless puppies.
Dermoid sinuses have been detected on other parts of the body, but are not as commonly seen as on the midline of the spine. A few have been noted on the head, attaching to the skull or the base of the ear.
The exact mode of the inheritance of the D.S. is not known. It is thought to be polygenic (multiple genes), rather than simple dominant or recessive. It has been noted that there can be carriers, or individuals that produce more dermoid sinuses than their littermates. Some lines are relatively D.S. free. Dogs that are subjects of D.S. are not candidates for a breeding program. The surgery removes the visual defect but not the genetic one.
The ethics of breeding require you to put the best possible representative of the breed out there. The whole point of showingand breeding from a Rhodesian Ridgeback is to improve and enhance the breed. It should not only look like a Rhodesian Rideback, but it should be as healthy and sound as possible. As the D.S. is serious unsoundness. If you decide to keep and operate on a D.S. subject, care must be taken to assure the pup of a home that will spay or neuter. I personally recommend that breeders who sell on the D.S puppy should operate on the puppy before it is rehomed and the puppy should be sold with a endorsment and contract stating that they must be spayed or neutered.
