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Sebaceous Adenitis is a dermatological skin condition in dogs that affects the sebaceous glands and, in turn, their skin and coat. In this factsheet, we go over everything you need to know about the condition, including which breeds are at most risk of developing Sebaceous Adenitis, common symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
Which Breeds are at Risk of Sebaceous Adenitis?
Typically, Sebaceous Adenitis occurs in young to middle-aged dogs, both in short-haired breeds, and longer-haired breeds. But, some breeds are predisposed to the condition, including:
What are the Symptoms of Sebaceous Adenitis in Dogs?
The signs and symptoms of Sebaceous Adenitis in dogs differ between short-haired breeds and long-haired breeds.
How Do We Diagnose Sebaceous Adenitis?
To diagnose Sebaceous Adenitis, we will first take a detailed medical history before performing a physical examination with a particular focus on areas where symptoms have presented. However, we cannot diagnose the condition with just a physical examination; a skin biopsy is the only way to definitively diagnose Sebaceous Adenitis.
You can learn more about skin biopsies and other diagnostic tests for pets in our recent blog that goes into more detail about cytology, histology, and the different samples we may take to gain a better understanding of what’s causing your pet’s problems.
How to Treat Sebaceous Adenitis in Dogs
Unfortunately, treatment of Sebaceous Adenitis can be challenging in dogs and often labour intensive for owners. In fact, symptoms can come and go independently of any treatment, making it a challenging condition to treat effectively.
That being said, common treatments for Sebaceous Adenitis may include:
- Antibiotics to treat any associated infections
- Medications that help to manage the attack of sebaceous glands from the immune system – ciclosporin
- Topical treatments are the main treatment – this helps to soothe sore, itchy, flaky skin and restore a healthy coat and oil balance.
- Supplementing essential fatty acids such as omega 3 and vitamin E.