Coralness Standard Poodles

Unfortunately, like most other breeds, the Standard Poodle does suffer from some ailments. I have tried to list the relevant ones here, but if you need any further information about any health problem in the breed please contact the Standard Poodle Clubs Health Administrator, Mrs Molly Windebank, on 02084 642811 or email her by clicking here.

SEBACEOUS ADENITIS- RECOGNITION AND DIAGNOSIS

 

INTRODUCTION

Sebaceous Adenitis is an important skin disease which may affect any breed of dog, but is more common in certain selected breeds. The importance of this disease is as a source of discomfort and poor appearance for the individual as well as having implications for the breeding of some dogs.

Sebaceous Adenitis may be a wild disease in some dogs, with clinical signs being limited to mild scaling and hair loss. However, at its worst, this disease can be very severe, with loss of much of the coat. In severe cases secondary bacterial infection may become a problem, leading to itching, discomfort and possibly euthanasia in extreme cases.

 

BREEDS AFFECTED

Sebaceous Adenitis has now been recorded in many breeds of dogs, and has been seen in rare occasions in cats. Whilst some breeds are over represented, almost any breed may be affected on occasions. The breeds I have personally seen are as follows:-

Standard Poodle, Old English Sheepdog, Springer Spaniel, Hungarian Vizsla, Cross Bred Collie, Lhasa Apso, Samoyed, Border Collie, Japanese Akita.

Whilst this list is by no means exhaustive, it demonstrates the wide range of breeds affected with what is no longer a rare disease.

 

CLINICAL REPRESENTATION

At the mildest, signs may begin as fine scaling over the head and body. Coat loss may not appear initially and some Standard Poodles may have slight discomfort on grooming the feet as the only sign.

The coat may be generally dry and difficult to groom. Tangles on the ears are common and more coat than normal may be lost on routine combing. Hairs that are lost may have small scales attached to the base.

In more advanced cases coat loss may be significant, again progressing from the head and withers to the whole of the trunk and legs. In some breeds the skin may appear red and inflamed. This is either due to secondary infection or due to the disease itself.

 

The most serious forms of the disease are those in which secondary bacterial infection occurs. The first signs of this are usually the presence of an unpleasant odour. Redness and itchiness may ensue, with self trauma (scratching and biting) being a problem in some. Whilst antibacterial therapy may be of help, infection is often recurrent, leading to resistant bacteria. In some extreme cases, treatment is unsuccessful, leading to euthanasia.

 

MECHANISM OF DISEASE

It is important to have some understanding of how sebaceous adenitis occurs, and how it varies in some breeds. In essence, dogs affected with this problem send components of their immune defence systems to attack their follicles and in particular the sebaceous glands. These glands, which produce a fatty secretion which helps to defend and lubricate the hairs, are essential for normal coat production and loss.

 

 

There are two principle types of diseases produced. In breeds such as the Samoyed and Vizsla, the attack on the glands itself is to blame for the damage seen, whereas in the Standard Poodle, clinical disease is often seen after the active inflammation has gone, and is the result of the lack of sebaceous glands.

The destruction of glands in this disease is permanent, but in those breeds where the clinical signs are associated with the initial disease, hair re-growth often occurs once the glands have been destroyed, and the initial insult has settled. This is important as it gives hope to some dogs, but must not lead us to think that certain treatments are working in these dogs.

 

INHERITANCE

The inheritance of this disease has only been worked out in the Standard Poodle, where it is an autosomal recessive disease. This is important, as it infers that there are likely to be a lot of carrier dogs and bitches which show no signs of disease at any stage. Also there are no tests for any carriers.

 

DIAGNOSIS

Sebaceous Adenitis is diagnosed by the findings of typical changes in the skin by the examination of a skin biopsy. These biopsies are small punches of skin (6mm in diameter) which are removed under local anaesthetic by a Veterinary Surgeon.

They are then sent to a Veterinary Pathologist with knowledge of the disease. Diagnosis is based on either finding active disease or a complete lack of sebaceous glands in severe biopsies.

 

TREATMENT

There is no reliable treatment for this condition. As described earlier, the disease has a waxing and waning course, and may appear to resolve spontaneously in some cases.

Treatment is based upon control of secondary bacterial infection, together with treatments to help the dog grow and shed coat normally.

Antibacterial therapy usually consists of long courses of antibiotics, often combined with shampoos.

Topical shampoos may also be used to try and help reduce the scaling and coat loss.

In the USA, applications of grooming or bath oils are thought to be helpful, especially in the Standard Poodle. I am currently assessing the use of essential fatty acids (Evening Primrose oil and fish oil) in this breed. In dogs where the initial disease is the main problem, powerful anti-inflammatory drugs such as steroids or retinoids have been tried with mixed success.

 

(With thanks to David H. Scarff & the Standard Poodle Club.)

 

This is Danny. He suffers with SA. Here he was 14 years old. 

Symptoms of Addisons Disease (Hypoadrenocorticism):

 

Loss of appetite

Vomiting

Regurgitation and diarrhoea

Weight loss. Depression

Weakness, shaking and shivering

Increased drinking and urination

Painful abdomen

 

These signs may have a gradual or sudden onset, or wax and wane, which sometimes make it difficult for owners to assess how long their dog has been ill.

The only way to confirm this disease is by carrying out an ACTH blood test.

 

(With thanks to the Standard Poodle Club.)

 

Symptoms of BLOAT (GDV-Gastric Dilation Volvulus):

 

This is a life threatening condition which occurs most frequently in deep chested dogs.

 

Watch out for any actions or behaviour that may signal abdominal discomfort:

 

Abdominal fullness

Pacing

Salivating

Whining

Getting up and down

Stretching

Looking at the abdomen

Anxiety

Unsuccessful attempts to vomit

 

Remember; don't delay in getting advice, whatever the time of day or night.  Delay can be fatal, again, better safe than sorry.

 

(With thanks to the Standard Poodle Club.)