Our household
has three Lhasa Apsos diagnosed with Sebaceous Adenitis. The first was diagnosed
at age two after more than a year of treatment for other conditions. At the
time of diagnosis (September 1997), her torso and tail were almost completely
bald and covered with a black, tarry substance with a mold-like odor. Hair
on the head and legs was thinned out dramatically.
Treatment consisted of 50/50 baby oil and water soaks, followed by three
to four baths with Dawn detergent to get the oil out, then a bath with an
oat mella shampoo to get the detergent out. We then rinsed her with Jhirmack
E.F.A. conditioner. Her condition improved after only several baths. Her outer
coat started to grow back, but no undercoat returned. At first we did the
baths every week, then every two weeks. We can usually get by now with one
bath per month.
Since her diagnosis, a littermate was diagnosed at age 4. Her mother, who
had a “non-affected” biopsy at age 10, developed SA at age 12-1/2!
An informal check of the other offspring found them to be free of any signs
as of December 1999. There are seven more biological littermates (two litters,
same breeding) that still have a 50 percent chance of developing SA, and all
have a 100 percent chance of carrying the gene (assuming the mode of inheritance
is the same as in Standard Poodles). If the sire develops SA, theoretically
all the offspring will develop SA also.
Essential Oils
There is no question that the baby oil/water soaks were helping the first
affected girl’s skin, but we were concerned about saturating her with a petroleum
product that had to be washed out with a harsh, drying detergent. In early
1998 we consulted Brent Reed, owner of New Earth Resources in Huntington,
W.Va., who is very knowledgeable about alternative therapies. He suggested
using olive oil instead of baby oil. Olive oil has been used externally for
its disinfectant and healing properties for thousands of years, and internally
for other ailments as well. He also introduced us to essential oils. The use
of these oils to affect a psychologic or physiologic response is called aromatherapy.
The oils are administered by diffusion (breathing in); by massage or topical
application; or internally (rare). The name “essential oils” comes from quinta
essentia,
or quintessence, and was first described in “modern” medicine by Paracelsus
in the 16th century. The term aromatherapy was first coined in 1937 by R.M.
Gatafosse, who compiled the work of many scientists in the field at that time.
He concluded that, “… besides their antiseptic and bacterial properties… essential
oils possess anti-toxic and antiviral properties, have powerful vitalizing
action, an undeniable healing power and extensive therapeutic properties.”
After all, plants produce the oils to defend themselves against invading
microorganisms.
Essential oils are obtained from plants by distillation, mechanical separation
or solvent extraction. They come from flowers, buds, fruits, peels, leaves,
bark, roots, seeds and resins. You can find both natural and synthetic oils,
and there are proponents of both. The important thing is to buy from a reputable
supplier, and make sure the entire botanical name (genus and species) is listed
so you are sure you have the right component. It is believed that essential
oils might work best in synergy. Brent selected eight essential oils for
us to use with the “carrier oil” – the olive oil. He also suggested that
we add pure aloe vera to the mixture, as this substance is also known to
have healing qualities.
This is the mixture we are now using on our three SA dogs:
½ cup olive oil
½ cup water
1 tablespoon aloe vera gel
30-40 drops of the essential oil mixture
The essential oil mixture: Tea tree oil – anti-bacterial and anti-fungal; stimulates immune
system; a broad-spectrum antibiotic French lavender – helps in the treatment of inflammatory skin conditions,
promotes healing Lemon – antiseptic, anti-bacterial, astringent Bergamot – topical
for wounds; used to control dandruff in humans Roman chamomile – for dermatitis; conditions and encourages hair
growth in humans Ylang ylang – antiseborrheic, antiseptic Sandlewood – antiseptic, anti-bacterial, insecticidal; once used
as a pharmaceutical disinfectant Juniper berry – antiseptic, parasiticide
We spray the mixture on each dog for 30 minute to an hour. An advantage
to this mixture over baby oil is that it is substantially easier to wash
out. We have been using liquid Ivory soap for one bath, then an oat mella
shampoo for the next bath. Then we apply the Jhirmack E.F.A. or Cindra conditioner.
A more diluted oil mixture can also be used between baths for lesions.
We have just discovered an all-natural product called “Ecover Natural Dish-washing
Detergent, made in Belgium and distributed by Ecover Inc. in Huntington Beach,
Calif. After just a few uses, we feel this may be even better than Ivory in
removing the oil, not to mention gentler on their skin.
The Lhasa who has had SA for almost four years gets a bath once a month;
we are still giving the other girls a bath twice a month since they have been
more recently diagnosed.
Some of these oils may be irritating to an individual’s skin, so it is best
to use sparingly at first. Also, some essential oils cannot be used on pregnant
bitches or in some cases, along with other medications or with some medical
conditions. It is best to consult a qualified practitioner in selecting the
oils.
We have no scientific evidence that this method works better than oils with
mineral oil bases, and admittedly, it costs a little more. But it is easier
to wash out, and if we do the baths on a regular basis, we see few lesions.
Also, they don’t seem to lose much coat at the lesion site, and the grow-back
seems to be faster for the hair that does falls out. Since we started using
the essential oil mixture, none of the dogs have had any significant skin
infections.
Their golden coats have grown back a little harder, stiffer, than their
original coats, and have grown back a darker gold. The outer coats are in
fairly good shape; the undercoats are either not growing back or are sparse.
The girls also receive Lipiderm with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids daily
with their food, as internal fatty acids have been shown to reduce pruritis
and dermatitis associated with flea and food allergies and bacterial skin
infections. All three girls are quite presentable and show few signs of SA
to the untrained eye. We are quite pleased with their progress, and like most
SA dogs, they have no clue that they have a problem with their skin. For
that, we are grateful!
Source:
Schoen, Allen M. DVM, MS, and Susan G. Wynn, DVM. Complementary and
Alternative Veterinary Medicine.
Mosby: St. Louis, 1998.
Note: The inclusion of this article in the GRF newsletter does not necessarily
condone this method of treatment for SA.
The above information is simply informational. It's intent is not
to replace the advice of a veterinarian nor to assist you in making a diagnosis
of your pet. Please consult with your own veterinarian for confirmation of
any diagnosis. Your pets life may depend on it.
