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Sebaceous Adenitis in Dogs This article is verified by a vet

Written by Franziska G., Veterinarian
Sebaceous Adenitis in Dogs

© M.Dörr & M.Frommherz / stock.adobe.com

In sebaceous adenitis in dogs, the oil-producing glands in the skin become inflamed, leading to hair loss that often starts at the ears.

Discover in this article how dangerous sebaceous adenitis can be for your furry friend and how you can help your pooch if it occurs.

Table of contents

  1. How Dangerous Is Sebaceous Adenitis in Dogs?
  2. Symptoms: What Are The Signs of Sebaceous Adenitis in Dogs?
  3. Diagnosis: How Is Sebaceous Adenitis Identified in Dogs?
  4. Therapy: What Can Be Done for Sebaceous Adenitis?
  5. Prognosis: What Are The Chances of Recovery?
  6. Causes: What Triggers Sebaceous Adenitis in Dogs?
  7. Prevention: Can Sebaceous Adenitis in Dogs Be Avoided?

How Dangerous Is Sebaceous Adenitis in Dogs?

Sebaceous adenitis, also known as granulomatous, primary, or aseptic sebaceous adenitis, is a rare skin condition in dogs caused by an immune-mediated destruction of the sebaceous glands.

What Happens If The Condition Is Left Untreated?

If not timely treated, the disease can spread to large areas of skin. Although sebaceous adenitis is usually not life-threatening for dogs, it can greatly restrict the quality of life for affected animals due to bacterial secondary infections often leading to itching, inflammation, and pain from wounds.

Which Dogs Are Affected By Sebaceous Adenitis?

This skin condition is rare but can affect any dog. However, due to genetic factors, the following breeds may be more susceptible than others:

symptoms of sebaceous adenitis © backiris / stock.adobe.com
One of the most obvious symptoms of sebaceous adenitis is hair loss.

Symptoms: What Are The Signs of Sebaceous Adenitis in Dogs?

The skin condition usually progresses slowly and often occurs in middle age. Initially, affected animals usually show brittle hair or hair loss (alopecia) which gradually extends to the surrounding skin areas.

Plus, the following symptoms are typical for sebaceous adenitis in dogs:

  • The hairless patches are scaly, and the skin appears thickened (hyperkeratosis).
  • The fur is often matted with a yellow or brown mass, creating small tufts of hair.
  • The disease is also indicated by keratin cuffs, which are large silver scales that surround the hairs (follicular hyperkeratosis).

Note: Despite these skin problems, affected dogs are usually lively.

How Does Sebaceous Adenitis Develop?

The progression depends on various factors, such as the extent of the disease or the breed. Bacteria penetrating the damaged skin can cause inflammation and itching.

In some cases, sebaceous adenitis in dogs occurs in conjunction with digestive issues or Otitis externa ceruminosa, which is an overproduction of earwax.

Which Skin Areas Are Often Affected?

Sebaceous adenitis usually begins on the head and then spreads across the ears and back to the tail. If left untreated, it can also affect other skin areas on the dog’s body.

When Should I Visit The Vet?

Numerous conditions can lead to hair loss in dogs. Therefore, it is vital to ask your vet for advice as soon as you notice skin changes or other signs of illness in your dog.

Diagnosis: How Is Sebaceous Adenitis Identified in Dogs?

To differentiate sebaceous adenitis from other skin conditions, after a thorough consultation with you and the clinical examination, your vet will perform a skin biopsy.

This tissue sample is examined histologically by your vet or a pathologist to closely inspect the cells under a microscope. Trained eyes can identify sebaceous adenitis by the absence of sebaceous glands and a lymphocytic inflammation.

Therapy: What Can Be Done for Sebaceous Adenitis?

Currently, there is no specific cure for sebaceous adenitis in dogs. Vets, therefore, resort to other means to alleviate the signs of the disease. Two treatment options are available.

1. Topical Local Therapy

Certain remedies help improve your dog’s skin condition. Keratolytic and antibacterial shampoos for dogs are suitable for this purpose. Afterwards, you can treat your dog’s skin with baby oil for two to three hours, which you then wash off again.

Wounds are treatable with sprays. With your vet’s agreement, you can also give your dog essential fatty acids, which can have a positive effect on the skin.

2. Medicinal Therapy

The administration of immunosuppressants like cyclosporin A, which suppress the immune system, is also an option. However, the downside of this medication is that the symptoms usually recur after discontinuation. Also, the treatment can be expensive.

Prognosis: What Are The Chances of Recovery?

Although sebaceous adenitis in dogs cannot be cured causatively, the prognosis is generally good. However, it is crucial that you provide lifelong skin care for your dog and follow your vet’s instructions precisely.

If you discontinue the medications or care on your own, symptoms may increase again.

Causes: What Triggers Sebaceous Adenitis in Dogs?

Sebaceous adenitis is a skin condition where the immune system destroys the skin’s sebaceous glands through inflammatory reactions. There are two forms of the condition to be distinguished:

  • The secondary (acquired) form of the disease is believed to arise from leishmaniasis. Since the sebaceous glands are not permanently but temporarily damaged in this form, some experts differentiate it from actual sebaceous adenitis.
  • In primary sebaceous adenitis, the sebaceous glands are permanently damaged, and the cause for this form remains unknown (idiopathic). It’s clear that there must be a genetic cause, as certain dog breeds are affected more often. For example, in Akita and Poodle breeds, the disease is likely inherited.

Prevention: Can Sebaceous Adenitis in Dogs Be Avoided?

Since sebaceous adenitis in dogs is often idiopathic or genetically determined, unfortunately, it is not always possible to protect dogs from this disease.

However, you can contribute to the healthy development of your dog’s skin with a species-appropriate diet. Proper coat care also helps maintain a healthy skin condition – for example, avoid bathing your dog too frequently.

Caution With Breeding

Due to the heritable risk factors, it’s essential not to breed dogs that carry the disease. Also, avoid breeding with the parents or siblings of affected animals.

If you are not breeding yourself but adopting puppies from breeders, always pay attention to the trustworthiness of the breeders and inquire about the health status of the puppies.

This article from zooplus Magazine is purely informative. If your pet is experiencing discomfort, contact your veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment.

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Franziska G., Veterinarian
Profilbild von Tierärztin Franziska Gütgeman mit Hund

At the Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen I was extensively trained as a veterinarian and was able to gain experience in various fields such as small animal, large animal and exotic animal medicine as well as pharmacology, pathology and food hygiene. Since then, I have been working not only as a veterinary author, but also on my scientifically driven dissertation. My goal is to better protect animals from pathogenic bacterial organisms in the future. Besides my veterinary knowledge, I also share my own experiences as a happy dog owner and can thus understand and enlighten fears and problems as well as other important questions about animal health.

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