subject: Sebaceous Adenitis is an Unusual Cause of Hair Loss in Dogs [print this page] One of the more unusual causes is a condition called sebaceous adenitis, or inflammation of the sebaceous glands of the skin. It is difficult to diagnose, and while medical treatments can stop the inflammation and medicated shampoos or oil soaks can relieve the discomfort, the hair itself may never recover.
If your dog shows signs of excessive hair loss combined with brittle or flaky skin, your veterinarian will probably do a number of tests to rule out other causes. Typically, skin scrapings will be taken to check for any mites or other parasites, and a skin biopsy may be taken to further aid in diagnosis. In evaluating the biopsy sample, the pathologist will look for signs of inflammation. Depending on the stage of the disease and the skill of the pathologist in evaluating skin tissue, the inflammation related to sebaceous adenitis may or may not be detected. Your veterinarian will probably also order blood tests to check for any hormonal or endocrine disorders such as hypothyroidism...just like in people, an underactive thyroid can cause hair loss and dry, brittle skin.
The causes of sebaceous adenitis are unknown, but it is suspected that there is a genetic component to the disorder. It most commonly affects Standard Poodles, Akitas and Samoyeds, although it can strike any breed. The disorder causes inflammation of the sebaceous, or oil-producing, glands in the skin and can result in the death of the hair follicles if the disease is not caught at an early stage. It is largely a cosmetic disorder, although dogs may be itchy and prone to secondary bacterial or fungal skin infections, and affects only the skin and coat with no other organ involvement.
Sebaceous Adenitis is an Unusual Cause of Hair Loss in Dogs
