There are many causes of hair loss in dogs, ranging from stress to medical conditions such as low thyroid to mite infestations such as scabies. One of the more unusual causes a condition called sebaceous adenitis, inflammation of the sebaceous glands of the skin. It is difficult to diagnose, and although medical treatment can stop the inflammation and medicated shampoos or absorbs the oil can relieve discomfort, hair itself may never recover.
If your dog shows signs of excessive hair loss combined with brittle or flaky skin, your veterinarian will probably make a series of tests to rule out other causes. Normally, skin samples taken to check for any mites and other parasites, and a skin biopsy can be taken to further assist in diagnosis. The evaluation biopsy sample, pathologists look for signs of inflammation. Depending on the stage of the disease and the ability of the pathologist in the evaluation of skin tissue, inflammation associated with sebaceous adenitis may or may not be detected. Your veterinarian will probably also blood tests to check for any hormonal disorders such as hypothyroidism or endocrine … as in humans, hypothyroidism can cause hair loss and dry skin and brittle.
Causes of Sebaceous adenitis are unknown, but suspected a genetic component to the disorder. This condition affects the standard poodles, Akitas, and Samoyeds, but can affect any race. The disorder causes inflammation of the sebaceous glands or oil producing glands of the skin and may result in the death of follicles Hair, if the disease is not detected at an early stage. It is largely a cosmetic disorder, although dogs can cause itchy skin and prone to secondary bacterial or fungal infections, and only affects the skin and hair without involvement of other organs.
Once diagnosed, and depending on the stage of disease at the time diagnosis, several types of treatment may be prescribed. The treatments can help stop active inflammation and prevent any further hair loss, but not result in any re-growth of hair. Treatment options include:
- Anti-inflammatory medications such as cyclosporine (commonly sold under the brand name Atopica) and prednisone to stop any further progression of the disease
- Vitamin A and Omega 3 and Omega-6 fatty acids supplementation- acid to help with general skin condition
- Topical treatments including mineral oil absorbs and medicinal shampoos (Selsun Blue, Sebolux, Doux and are commonly prescribed) to help replace lost oils and relieve the itching and flaking
Apart from these treatments, veterinarians recommend keeping the skin clean. If your dog suffers from sebaceous adenitis or any other disease that causes significant hair loss, you must also invest in a good shelter for excursions in the cold winter months, since without its skin, a stroll through the cold of winter will be so cold as you would if you left without a coat!
Joy Lee is co-owner and general manager of Rover Oaks Pet Resort in Katy, Texas. She is also passionate about animal rescue, and has authored a book, “Rover’s Rescues…True Stories of Shelter Dogs and Second Chances”, for which a portion of each book sale will be donated to Citizens for Animal Protection in Houston. Visit her website, http://www.joyleebooks.com/, for more information.
Monkey and Libby