Sebaceous Adenitis in Dogs

Category: Skin & Connective Tissue
Breeds documented: 7
Published sources: 8

Overview

Damage to the skin's oil-producing glands can leave the coat dry, scaly, and prone to hair loss. Sebaceous adenitis involves inflammation that may destroy these glands. It is thought to involve the immune system, although the exact cause remains uncertain. Changes can begin around the head, ears, or back and spread more widely.

Signs to watch for

Dry, flaky skin
Hair loss or a thinning coat
Scales stuck around clumps of hair
A dull, brittle coat with changed texture
Itching, especially when a secondary skin infection develops

Usually starts in young adult to middle-aged dogs.

When to get help Book a vet visit for persistent scaling, coat changes, or hair loss.

Diagnosis and tests

Vets assess the pattern of skin and coat changes and look for other causes. Skin samples can help detect bacterial infection, while scrapings help rule out mites. Diagnosis is confirmed by examining skin biopsies, small tissue samples, for damaged or missing oil glands.

Breeds with documented risk

7 breeds

By breed size

1 Small
4 Medium
1 Large
1 Giant

American AkitaGiant · Working Group
Miniature AussiedoodleSmall
Standard AussiedoodleMedium
Irish DoodleMedium
Akita InuMedium · Miscellaneous Class
ShepadoodleLarge
WhoodleMedium

Inheritance

Not yet known
None of the sources we use states how this is inherited in dogs yet.

We've gathered what published sources say about this condition, so you can talk it through with your vet. It isn't veterinary advice: you and your vet know your dog best.