Sebaceous adenitis in Havanese dogs: a retrospective study of the clinical presentation and incidence

Abstract

Sebaceous adenitis is a suspected immune-mediated disease that targets and destroys sebaceous glands. This retrospective study evaluated the clinical presentation and incidence of sebaceous adenitis in Havanese dogs. Sebaceous adenitis was diagnosed in 35% (12 of 34) of Havanese dogs presented over a 5-year period. Onset of clinical signs occurred during young adulthood. Follicular casts were present in 92% (11 of 12) of affected dogs. Other common clinical signs included alopecia and hypotrichosis. The trunk, head and ears were commonly affected, with 67% (8 of 12) of cases having pinnal and ⁄ or external ear canal involvement. Secondary pyoderma was seen in 42% (5 of 12) of dogs. Histopathology revealed absent sebaceous glands in 83% (10 of 12) and a lymphoplasmacytic periadnexal infiltrate in 92% (11 of 12) of samples. Treatment included multiple modalities. Ciclosporin was prescribed in 83% (10 of 12) of cases. Other systemic therapies included vitamin A and fatty acid supplementation. Topical therapies included antiseborrhoeic shampoos and sprays, and oil soaks. Follow-up ranging from 2 months to 3 years was obtained in 67% (8 of 12) of dogs. Improvement ranged from minimal to marked, with better clinical response associated with longer duration of treatment. Owners with follow-up of more than 1 year commonly reported occasional flares of the clinical signs. This study found that sebaceous adenitis was a common diagnosis in Havanese dogs, that the ears were commonly affected and that a lymphoplasmacytic periadnexal infiltrate associated with absent sebaceous glands was frequently seen on dermatohistopathological examination.

Genetic characterization of healthy and sebaceous adenitis affected Standard Poodles from the United States and the United Kingdom

“…SA in dogs was first described in detail by Scott (1). The disease has been reportedly recognized in a number of pure breeds of dogs (2), but is most prevalent in Akitas (2, 3), Standard Poodles (3, 4), English Springer Spaniels (3), and Havanese (5). The disorder is characterized by hair loss beginning on the ears, head, and back and progressing to the trunk.…”

Evidence‐base for the beneficial effect of nutraceuticals in canine dermatological immune‐mediated inflammatory diseases — A literature review

“…Vitamin A was the sole treatment in two dogs, of which one showed 50% improvement. In the study by Frazer et al, 102 seven of 12 Havanese dogs were treated with vitamin A (704–1126 IU/kg/day) of which four showed mild‐to‐marked clinical improvement and three were lost in follow‐up. In the study by Hernblad Tevell et al, 103 vitamin A was recommended in 16% of 51 dogs as additional treatment.…”

“…Disease Category of evidence a with reference Biotin SLO IV [81] EFAs Superficial pemphigus b IV [40] CLE IV [94,95] and V [90] SA IV [102][103][104] Enterococcus faecium SF68 c cAD I [85] Enterococcus faecalis FK-23 c cAD I [69] Niacinamide (with tetracycline) cAD III [86] MCLE IV [77] and V [100] ECLE IV [77,94] and V [96] VCLE IV [77,97] and V [98] Retinoids CLE IV [94] and V [96] Vitamin A CLE IV [94] and V [96] SA IV [102][103][104] Vitamin B complex (B1, B2 and B6) SLO V [83] Vitamin E CLE IV [91,94,95] and V [96] Zinc CLE IV [94] SLO IV [81] and V [83] SA III [84] Based on the results on the use of EFAs in general, no evidence was found for its use in dogs with superficial pemphigus and CLE variants. In comparison, treatment with omega-3 FAs in humans with autoimmune conditions shows conflicting results 129 and no specific reports on the use of EFAs in humans with pemphigus or CLE have been found.…”

Sterile granulomatous dermatitis and lymphadenitis (juvenile cellulitis) in adult dogs: a retrospective analysis of 90 cases (2004–2018)

“…In the present study, both clinical and histopathological lesions were thoroughly reviewed in concert, for all 90 dogs, to confirm the diagnosis of SGDL before inclusion. None of these cases had sebaceous gland targeting, including the four dogs of the Havanese breed, which is predisposed to SA …”