Cyclosporine-responsive granulomatous sebaceous adenitis in a dog

Granulomatous sebaceous adenitis was diagnosed in a 2 year old spayed Miniature Pinscher. Initial treatment with isotretinoin for 3 weeks resulted in little response and decreased tear production. Immunosuppressive doses of prednisone for 3 weeks resulted in mild response of the dermatitis; however, the dog developed transient diabetes mellitus secondary to this treatment. Cyclosporine (5 mg/kg of body weight, po, q 12 h) resulted in good clinical response for 12 months, but histologically, the sebaceous glands remained absent. Although cyclosporine has immunosuppressive properties, this drug also has inhibitory effects of keratinocyte proliferation. These mechanisms may explain the beneficial response of cyclosporine in the treatment of granulomatous sebaceous adenitis in this dog.