There are many causes of hair loss in dogs, ranging from stress to medical conditions like low thyroid and mite infestations like mange. One of the more unusual causes is a condition called sebaceous adenitis, or inflammation of the sebaceous glands in the skin. It is difficult to diagnose, and while medical treatments can stop inflammation and medicated shampoos or oil baths can alleviate discomfort, hair may never recover.
If your dog shows signs of excessive hair loss combined with brittle or flaky skin, your vet will likely run a series of tests to rule out other causes. Usually, skin scrapings will be taken to check for mites or other parasites, and a skin biopsy may be taken to further aid in the diagnosis. When evaluating the biopsy sample, the pathologist will look for signs of inflammation. Depending on the stage of the disease and the ability of the pathologist to evaluate the skin tissue, inflammation related to sebaceous adenitis may or may not be detected. Your vet will likely also order blood tests to check for any hormonal or endocrine disorders like hypothyroidism … just like in people, an underactive thyroid can cause hair loss and dry, brittle skin.
The causes of sebaceous adenitis are unknown, but the disorder is suspected to have a genetic component. It most commonly affects Standard Poodles, Akitas, and Samoyeds, although it can affect any breed. The disorder causes inflammation of the sebaceous or oil-producing glands of the skin and can lead to the death of hair follicles if the disease is not detected at an early stage. It is largely a cosmetic disorder, although dogs can itch and be prone to secondary bacterial or fungal skin infections, affecting only the skin and coat without any other organs affected.
Once diagnosed, and depending on the stage of the disease at the time of diagnosis, various types of treatment can be prescribed. Treatments can help stop active inflammation and prevent any further hair loss, but may not cause new hair growth. Treatment options include:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs such as cyclosporine (commonly sold under the brand name Atopica) and prednisone to stop any progression of the disease.
- Supplements of vitamin A and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to help with the general condition of the skin
- Topical treatments including mineral oil baths and medicated shampoos (Selsun Blue, Sebolux, and Douxo are commonly prescribed) to help replace lost oils and relieve 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 should also invest in a warm coat for outings in the cold winter months, since without its fur, a walk in the cold winter will do it. It will leave you as cold as you would be if you walked out without a coat!
