Transmission
or cause: The cause of sebaceous adenitis is unknown but the
end result is inflammation of the sebaceous or oil gland associated
with the hair follicles. Loss of the sebaceous gland leads to dysfunction
of normal hair growth which results in hair loss. The underlying cause
is probably a combination of genetic predisposition and immune-mediated
sebaceous gland inflammation.
Affected
animals: Sebaceous adenitis is an inflammatory
disease that mostly affects young adult to middle aged dogs. Cats are
rarely affected. Some breeds of dogs that are prone to sebaceous adenitis
include Standard Poodles, Akitas, Vizslas, Samoyeds, and Belgian Sheepdogs.
It is believed to be a recessive inherited trait in Standard Poodles.
 Clinical
signs: Most dogs will show a bilaterally symmetrical hair loss
and excessive scaling especially around face, head, ears and trunk. Some
dogs may develop a bald “rat-tail”. Many dogs may have a secondary bacterial
infection of the skin with pimples, crusting and possible odor. Belgian
Shepdogs may have a severe draining ear infection. Vizslas and Dachshunds
often have circular areas crusting of hair loss that can spread and eventually
merge together. The hairs of affected animals often have adherent surface
debris surrounding the base of the hair called ‘hair casts’. Akitas often
have more severe disease with red inflamed skin and greasy crusting and
matting. Sebaceous adenitis is usually not itchy but can be if there is
secondary infection.
Diagnosis: Sebaceous adenitis is suspected when the history and clinical signs are
consistent. Microscopic examination of hairs from dogs with sebaceous
adenitis often shows obvious hair casting. The definitive diagnosis of
sebaceous adenitis is made by taking a skin biopsy which involves removing
small pieces of skin after numbing the area with anesthetic and submitting
the skin samples to a pathologist.
Prognosis: Some dogs can spontaneously improve but most dogs need lifelong control
of their sebaceous adenitis. It is mostly a cosmetic disorder with no
internal manifestations of disease.
Treatment: The treatment for sebaceous adenitis may involve anti-inflammatory therapy,
retinoid drugs or vitamin A along with anti-scaling shampoos and emollient
rinses. Treatment of secondary infections, if present, is also important.
Some dogs respond better to some treatments than others, and trying different
therapies may be necessary. The goal of therapy is to alleviate and slow
progression of symptoms, but only partial improvement may be seen.
Prevention: Prevention of sebaceous adenitis involves not breeding affected animals.
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