sebaceous adenitis

[Pamela & Trooper]

Our 4 1/2 yo doodle Trooper is suspected to have the auto immune disorder sebaceous adenitis. Awaiting the results of the biopsies. Anyone else dealing with this? If so what treatments have you tried (both medical and at home)? An animal chiropractor suggested a liver detox type of plan that is commonly used when there is an allergy. The vet said that typically the course of action is to use atopica but I'm concerned with longtime side effects. Its so sad to see a doodle lose his hair!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm sorry to hear this.

Sebaceous Adenitis is genetic and runs in Standard Poodles. There is genetic testing available for breeding dogs. It's primarily cosmetic, but it is incurable.

Atopica (there's a generic, cyclosporine, which is much less expensive) is one of the only known  treatments besides topicals and Retinoids. Like many human chiropractors, animal chiropractors often recommend unproven "alternative" treatments for which there is no clinical proof of effectiveness. I would not follow the "animal chiropractor's: advice. There is no liver detox plan that is "commonly used when there is an allergy". I would seriously question this person's educational background and credentials.

My guy doesn't have S.A., but he does have two immune-mediated diseases, including allergies, and has several veterinary specialists. He even has a holistic vet who does chiropractic and acupuncture. She's also a DVM, which is the only kind of professional who should be doing chiropractic on any dog. Neither she, nor his internal medicine specialist, nor his allergist, has ever mentioned "liver detox" and I have never seen that in my support groups or in any of my research. From a medical standpoint, it doesn't even make sense. I would strongly urge you to follow your vet's advice. I know many people whose dogs have been on Atopica for various immune mediated diseases, including S.A. and all have done well. There's no question that it's scary and there can be serious side-effects, but the benefits outweigh the risks, and the effectiveness is proven. The main thing is to get some reliable relief for your dog. 

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Pamela -- So sorry to hear about Troopers diagnosis.  You have come to a good place and gotten some great information.  I just wanted to add a little to the Atopica discussion.  When Lucy was diagnosed with atopic dermatitis the Vet suggested Atopica.  I was very leery of putting her on it.  My particular concern was the suggested links to Cancer.  We had just lost her litermate Sophie to cancer and I didn't want to go through that again.  We were just getting ready to go out of town for a month and we couldn't get an appointment with the Vet Dermatologist until after we got back.  I asked them some initial questions about the atopica and agreed to go ahead with it until we could get in and get the testing done and come up with another plan.  We are over a year now and Lucy is still on the Atopica in addition to her allergy shots.  Anyway, at the last appointment I went with questions about getting her off of the Atopica and on to a new allergy drug that is on the market now.  She said that in her professional opinion I was much better off with the Atopica than the new drug that is on the market.  That many of the original things that they thought about Atopica are proving themselves not to be true because it has now been out for several years and they aren't seeing those things.   That the new drug's side effects are not really yet known.  So, I feel a little better about it now.  It is one of those calls we as pet parents have to make.  Which is worse, the symptoms without it or the possibility of something happening because of it.  Lucy is definitely more comfortable with it.  Obviously we are still trying to get off of it because I don't like giving her meds if she doesn't need them, but so far we haven't been able to.  I wish you much success in finding the right plan for Trooper.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Here's some info:

http://ic.upei.ca/cidd/disorder/sebaceous-adenitis

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?A=2773

As you can see in the articles, mild cases may respond to special shampoos and oil treatments with no other drugs being necessary. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Here's a great link from the Poodle Health Registry with resources, including a link to the latest treatment options and a link to a support group for owners of poodles with S.A. http://www.poodlehealthregistry.org/docs/Standard/PHR_Standard_SA.html

[Wendy and Myla]

Karen, you are so awesome!  This is obviously a heart wrenching diagnosis for Pamela and Trooper and you have given her a lot of great advice and articles for her to look over to make an informed decision on the treatment for Trooper!  DK would be lost without you!!!!

[Wendy and Myla]

Pamela, I know nothing about this but I know that it must be devastating to hear this!  I hope everything turns out better than what is expected and know that my thoughts are with you and Trooper!!!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I have no advice, but I wanted to say I'm so sorry to hear this news.  It's so difficult to hear a diagnosis like this, but with the right treatment I'm sure Trooper will do just fine.  Karen has provided you some great insight and helpful links. 

[Stella]

I am so sorry to read about your doodle. Karen has already given you great advice. I feel your pain with the hair loss. I have a dog with seasonal alopecia, he looses hair along his back and flanks through the fall and winter, leaving those areas completely bald. Then his skin gets really dry in those areas and starts flaking - he truely looks awful and I have been asked if he has mange :(
I would definitely follow the advice of your veterinary specialist. There are many DVMs who combine traditional with holistic methods if you want to go that route.