Sebaceous adenitis is an inflammatory disease of the sebaceous (oil) glands leading to the destruction of the glands. Vizlas, Akitas,
poodles and Samoyeds are predisposed and the exact pathogenesis has not been established. It seems to be a genetically inherited defect and young dogs are usually affected.
In Poodles, it is believed to be an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance due to the fact that 25 percent of affected dogs may be sub-clinical. Several theories have been formulated to explain this condition:
According to one theory the disease is auto-immune in nature and the sebaceous glands are targeted by the immune system and destroyed.
Another theory is that the destruction of the sebaceous glands is secondary to a disease of keratinization, which leads to obstruction of the duct and ultimately disappearance of the glands.
It is also hypothesized that both the adenitis and the keratinization defects are secondary to an imbalance in lipid metabolism.
Related Symptoms or Ailments
Bacterial folliculitis (superficial pyoderma)
Demodex
Dermatophytosis (ringworm)
Disease of keratinization
Mycosis fungoides
Endocrinopathies (diseases of the endocrine system)
Pemphigus foliaceous
Follicular dysplasia
Deep skin scrapings should be done in any dog with these clinical signs to rule out demodicosis.
