Sebaceous adenitis

Sebaceous adenitis is an uncommon skin disease found in some breeds of dog, and more rarely in cats, rabbits and horses.

[6] Research is currently underway to find if there is a genetic predisposition for sebaceous adenitis; the exact mode of inheritance remains unknown.

[7] In Standard Poodles, sebaceous adenitis is most likely an autosomal recessive inherited disease, with variable expression.

[10] Treatment is generally lifelong[3] and takes the form of bathing and soaking in mineral oils and washing with antibiotic shampoos to try to alleviate symptoms and slow the condition's progression.

[9] For some breeds, cyclosporine or corticosteroids and immunosuppressant drugs may be effective,[3] and it is postulated, through some studies, that large doses of vitamin A given orally may result in some improvement.

The suggestion is that this phenomenon may be due to a cyclic feedback whereby secondary infection, when not aggressively treated with topical therapy, increases and contributes to further sebaceous gland inflammation.