Dark spots on the dog's skin

Author: Peter Berry
Date Of Creation: 12 February 2021
Update Date: 6 November 2024
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There are many problems that can cause a change in the color of the skin and the appearance of sores on the dog's skin. Skin diseases in dogs are very common and care must be taken with this type of problem. While some dark spots on a dog's skin are a characteristic and natural pigmentation of the skin and can arise due to aging, others can signal a health problem.

If you notice any change in the color of the fur or skin and suspect that your dog has skin problems, it is always safer to take him to the veterinarian and prevent it. In this PeritoAnimal article we will explain everything about dark spots on the dog's skin: what can they be? and what are the treatments for each of the causes.


Dark spots on the dog's skin

The darkening of the skin, called skin hyperpigmentation or melanoderma, is due to the increased production of the skin's natural pigment, known as melanin. In some cases it not only affects the skin and fur, but also the pet's nails.

Most blemishes are harmless and are only due to processes resulting from sun exposure, excessive skin friction and aging. However, we should be concerned when other symptoms arise associated with altered skin pigmentation:

  • Alopecia (hair loss)
  • Itch
  • wounds
  • bleeding
  • Vesicles or bubbles with content
  • Nodules or lumps
  • Dandruff
  • crusts
  • Behavioral and physiological changes: increase or loss of appetite, increase or decrease in water intake, lethargy or depression

Alopecia, itching and sores in dogs are one of the symptoms most associated with this skin problem in dogs.


Dark spots on dog's skin: causes

Usually, skin patches are more visible in areas with little hair, but they can be distributed all over your pet's body, so you should carefully examine your pet's entire body regularly.

The dark spots on the dog's skin can have several causes, as indicated below:

acanthosis nigricans

It can have a primary (genetic) origin that appears in the first year of life and Dachshund puppies are very predisposed to this problem. The secondary origin is not a specific disease, it is just a reaction (to allergies or infections) and can appear in any race, being the most prone to obesity, allergies and contact dermatitis.


It is characterized in both cases by dark spots with thick and rough texture usually accompanied by hair loss in the region. The armpit (axillary) and groin (inguinal) region are the most affected.

Allergies (allergic dermatitis)

If skin blemishes appear suddenly, it is very likely an allergic reaction.

The subject of allergies is very complex, because an allergy that manifests itself on the skin can have a series of causes that include food allergy, ingestion of plants or toxic substances, contact dermatitis or insect bites, and in which the spots can have various locations , sizes, colors and textures so it is very important to know the entire history of the animal.

Alopecia X (black skin disease)

It mainly affects Spitz, Siberian Husky, Malamutes and Chow chows. Affected animals have altered fur texture, alopecia in various regions of the body, itching all over the body, especially on the trunk, tail and abdomen and, in addition, it is possible to see black spots on the dog's skin.

Little is known about this disease, but it is believed to be of hereditary origin.

hormonal changes

Due to problems with the thyroid, gonads (testis or ovaries) and adrenal glands, they cause spots and change in hair color:

  • Hyperadrenocorticism or Cushing's syndrome: The adrenal gland produces too much hormones due to an abnormality in the glands or prolonged administration of corticosteroids. Causes increased appetite and water intake, increased urination (due to increased water consumption), lethargy, distended abdomen (very characteristic of this disease), poor fur quality and dark spots on the dog's skin.
  • hypothyroidism: Cocker spaniel, Boxer, Doberman, Golden retriever, Dachshund and middle aged puppies are common. It is a metabolic disorder in which the thyroid glands do not secrete adequate amounts of the hormone, slowing down the metabolism. It appears first in the form of alopecia on the trunk, limbs and tail, dull fur and scaly skin and then there are black spots on the dog's skin and other signs such as weight gain, muscle loss, lethargy.

sun exposure

It mainly affects dogs with white fur and pale skin. Spots are mostly harmless, but they can progress to cancer if you're not careful. The use of sunscreen suitable for dogs can be the solution.

Fungi

In a fungal dermatitis, small black spots associated with itching appear, resembling a dotted which can be mistaken for dirt stains.

The lesions are flat, level with the skin and appear in wetter regions that catch little sun, such as the groin, armpits, ear canal, sexual organs and interdigital space (between the fingers). Usually the skin is oily and scaly.

Fungi are opportunistic beings and usually arise when the immune system is weakened and another disease is affecting the animal. First of all, it's need to treat the underlying cause that is causing the animal's immunosuppression and only after that a topical treatment should be applied, which involves bathing with adequate shampoo and oral medication (in more severe cases) to eliminate the fungi.

hemorrhages

Bleeding under the skin can also cause dark spots on the dog's skin. After bruises or trauma, there is a hematoma resulting from a localized hemorrhage of the blood vessels in the region. This lesion disappears after some time.

Inflammation of blood vessels (vasculitis)

It involves the white cells of the immune system and is most common in Dachshunds, Collies, German Shepherds and Rottweilers. The spots can range from a purplish red to black and involve itching, ulcers, leg swelling and lethargy.

lentigo

Hereditary disease characterized by black spots on the dog's skin (usually on the abdomen) resulting from increased melanin. Do not itch, have no texture and are just an aesthetic problem that rarely evolves into something malignant. The diffuse type appears in adulthood and is rare. In the simple type, the lesion is restricted to the vulva region and usually appears in the first year of the animal's life.

Demodectic mange (or black mange)

This type of scabies is not contagious to humans as it requires a hereditary factor to manifest. When an animal is infested by a mite called Demodex kennels, he develops this type of black scabies if his parents transmitted the specific gene to him. External factors such as stress, sudden changes in environment or food can also trigger the emergence of this disease, ie, it is not just a skin problem in a hereditary dog, but also something related to the immune system.

It is very common to appear in puppies, especially around the eyes and face showing red spots and thickened and dark skin, being able to evolve to the rest of the body.

skin tumors

They have a dark brown color in the form of nodules (more than 1 cm). The symptoms of cancer can be very similar to a bacterial infection, as they start with red marks on the skin, itching, and saggy skin. The most common tumors are melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and mast cell tumor and it is very important to get an early diagnosis of this problem.

It is important to point out that, sometimes, dark spots appear under the dog's eyes that can be mistaken for skin spots. However, the dog only cried dark tears that stained his fur. This condition is due to excessive tear production or impaction of the tear duct that causes the release of a tear pigment, porphyrin, which accumulates under the eyes. It is necessary to consult a veterinarian as it may be an infection of the skin below the eyes or a series of ophthalmic problems such as glaucoma, conjunctivitis, eye infections, anomalous position of the eyelashes, eye damage, stress or allergies.

As we have seen, skin diseases in dogs that cause blemishes are numerous and it is necessary to identify the cause so that the treatment is as effective as possible.

Dog skin patches: diagnosis

When it comes to a skin problem, the diagnosis is almost never immediate and it takes a few days to decipher the problem.

Many skin conditions have similar signs and so it is essential to get a detailed history, perform a good physical exam and thorough diagnostic tests (microscopic analysis and skin and hair scrapings, microbial cultures, blood and urine tests and even biopsies) that allow to provide a definitive diagnosis.

It is very important that the tutor helps the veterinarian to solve this problem by providing the following information:

  • Animal age and breed
  • History of internal and external deworming
  • frequency of baths
  • How long has this problem been present and how has it evolved
  • The time when it appears and the affected body region
  • Behavior, if you lick, scratch, rub or bite the region, if you have more appetite or thirst
  • Environment where you live and have more animals at home

Black spots on the dog's skin: how to treat

For the successful treatment of dark spots on the dog's skin, it is essential correctly identify the underlying cause.

Depending on the situation and disease in question, the treatment can be topic (applied directly to the animal's fur and skin), such as shampoos, antimicrobial or antiparasitic creams or ointments, oral for generalized infections or other diseases (antihistamines, antifungals, antibiotics, corticosteroids, hormones, antiparasitics), food restriction or chemotherapy and surgical removal in case of tumors or a combination of various types of treatments to find the best therapy and ensure the animal's well-being.

This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Dark spots on the dog's skin, we recommend that you enter our Skin Problems section.