Are you noticing a change in your dog's skin and fur? Is your pup experiencing itchiness, lesions and hair loss? They may be suffering from sebaceous adenitis. Our St. Louis vets describe sebaceous adenitis in dogs along with the signs and symptoms and how it is diagnosed and treated.
What is Sebaceous Adenitis in Dogs?
Sebaceous adenitis is an immune-related disorder that affects the sebaceous glands in the skin of your dog. The sebaceous glands produce the oils necessary to help protect your pup's skin and keep their coat healthy and shiny. Sebaceous adenitis most commonly occurs in younger dogs.
Early detection of this disorder is crucial for helping avoid any irreparable damage to your dog's sebaceous glands.
What Are The Signs and Symptoms of Sebaceous Adenitis?
The symptoms of sebaceous adenitis in dogs vary depending on the length of their fur.
| The signs of sebaceous adenitis in long-haired dogs may include:
| The signs of sebaceous adenitis in short-haired dogs include:
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What Dog Breeds Are More Commonly Affected?
While there is no explicit cause of sebaceous adenitis in dogs, some breeds are known to be more susceptible.
Some of the breeds that may be more predisposed to sebaceous adenitis include:
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Diagnosing Sebaceous Adenitis in Dogs
Your vet will first examine the skin for signs of sebaceous adenitis including scarring, lesions and infection. Once the visible signs have been noted your vet will use the tools available in the diagnostic lab to perform a biopsy in order to provide an accurate diagnosis.
Sebaceous Adenitis Treatment Options
Some of the available treatment options that may be used to successfully treat sebaceous adenitis are topical therapies, oral antibiotics and medications.
Topical therapies for this condition can include shampoos, sprays, and mousses which are used to reduce flaking and soothe the skin as well as treat any bacterial infection that has developed. Oral antibiotics may be an option if your pup's skin has not responded positively to the initial treatment using topical therapies to avoid antibiotic resistance. Your vet may also recommend medications such as cyclosporine but these may also cause the immune system to attack the sebaceous glands. Vitamin A and essential fatty acid supplements may be an ideal addition to any of the above treatment options but your vet will be able to best determine the needs of your dog.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.