Schnauzer comedo syndrome is a relatively common skin disease seen predominantly in Miniature Schnauzers. This disorder represents a developmental cornification disorder. It bears similarity to developmental hair follicle dysplasia seen in humans, termed nevus comedonicus.
Comedones develop in a band along the spine. The severity and clinical signs vary among individual dogs. Most typical cases are carachterized by small crusted papules, nodules or comedones. Comedones may be small and require hand lens to be identified. Larger comedones are characterized by inflamed dilated hair follicles which contain dark keratinous debris. Mild scaling and swelling may be seen in more severe cases which can be accompanied by a bacterial infection and scarring.
A similarly identical disorder is occasionally seen in Cairn terriers and other rough-coated terriers. Age or sex predilection have not been reported.
Treatment
Long-term treatment is necessary. Topical treatments include antiseborrheic shampoo, especially those containing sulfur, salicylic acid , tar and benzoyl peroxide. In case of secondary infections antibiotics may be prescribed as well as retinoids.