This hereditary skin disease is common in standard poodles and can also affect Akitas, Samoyeds, and vizslas. As you might guess from the name, sebaceous adenitis (SA) is an inflammation of the sebaceous glands (small glands beneath the skin usually connected with hair follicles). Poodles or other longhaired breeds with SA develop symmetric hair loss on the muzzle, the top of the head, the ears, and along the top of the body. A shorthaired dog such as the vizsla develops circular areas of hair loss, mainly on the body. The skin becomes scaly and often develops bacterial infections. Sebaceous adenitis is diagnosed with a skin biopsy, sometimes referred to as a skin punch. There's no cure for the disease, but frequent baths with medicated shampoo can help, as can antiseborrhea drugs, corticosteroids, and antibiotics to ward off bacterial infections. Dogs with SA should not be bred.