P‐71 Successful therapy of sebaceous adenitis with topical cyclosporine in 20 dogs

Sebaceous adenitis was diagnosed in 20 dogs on the basis of histopathology and compatible clinical signs. Affected dogs included standard poodles (3), akitas (3), English springer spaniels (3), and chow chows (3). Fungal cultures, skin scrapings and thyroid function tests were unremarkable. Multiple biopsies were taken from all animals. Initial therapy included essential fatty acid supplementation with a total gamma linolenic acid dose of 10–20 mg/kg once daily and an antiseborrhoeic shampoo twice weekly. All animals were assessed at 3 weeks. An improvement in coat condition was noted at this time, but there was no evidence of hair regrowth. Treatment was started with topical cyclosporine. Twenty‐five millilitres of cyclosporine (Neoral oral solution, 100 mg/mL) made up to a total volume of 250 mL of liquid with sterile water was applied to the coat once daily followed by an emollient spray. At a 6‐week recheck, further improvement was noted. In some cases, new hair regrowth was apparent. In six dogs, blood samples were taken at 9 weeks to measure blood levels of cyclosporine. In no case could cyclosporine be detected. Therapy was successful in every case, but was deemed too labour intensive by the owners of some dogs. Despite good initial improvement in their dog's skin condition, they were lost to follow‐up. In all other cases, once hair had regrown after 8–12 weeks, the frequency of application could be reduced to once or twice weekly. Funding: Self‐funded.