My dog bit his skin, now it's black. Is it flea allergy dermatitis?

Those blackish areas are likely related to irritation and a secondary infection. This irritation could be any bites but fleas or environmental allergy are more common. If you are noticing multiple areas affected or if Kasper is getting worse, a trip to the veterinarian is indicated for medications. Small areas or areas that are very minor may respond to feeding a high quality food aimed at skin health such as Royal Canin or Nutro. Omega 3 fatty acids for dogs can also help improve skin health. You can wash the areas with a medicated dog shampoo and treat for fleas. I recommend Simparica or Nexgard for flea treatment. I hope this is helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Poor guy. This does not appear to be flea bites becsuse the area is too large and also is infected. This can however be self trauma which is secondary to a flea allergy. If you see flea dirt (small black specks on the haircoat) or if Tango isn't on a flea preventative, this is a good time to get him on one. I would recommend a good quality flea prevention such as Bravecto, Nexgard, Simparica or Vectra/Firstshield. Then I would recommend getting this skin infection treated through your vet. He needs prescription antibiotics to clear this up. Until you can get him in to be seen, you can try cleansing the area with Betadine diluted 50:50 with warm water and then just leaving it to dry. Don't cover the area as this can lead to further infection. Hydrogen peroxide should also not be used on wounds like this or it could actually lead to further destruction of healthy tissue. I hope Tango gets this resolved soon, and best of luck treating for any underlying allergies he may have that could have caused this. Best wishes and take care.

It probably is skin irritation from the fleas. Kobey may have a flea allergy. The Seresto collar is great! Good choice! The only other thing I would do is treat the environment - in the house and the yard for fleas. I like these products. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Adams-Yard-Garden-Spray-32-0-FL-OZ/44432720 https://www.walmart.com/ip/Adams-Flea-and-Tick-Control-Home-Spray-24-oz/44432722 Finally I would use this medicated shampoo on him. Not a flea shampoo but this one that has medication to help heal his skin and relieve itching. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Veterinary-Formula-Clinical-Care-Hot-Spot-and-Itch-Relief-Medicated-Shampoo-for-Dogs-and-Cats-16-fl-oz/24885757 I hope this helps. Best wishes!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It is hard to see the skin in your pictures but it looks like a rash or comedones. If the reddish black things on her skin flakes off or are loose, wet them on a white tissue. If they melt away to a red streak that is flea poop. Flea dips and shampoos are NOT preventatives for fleas and the fleas that hatch on the carpet will jump right back on the pet. Fleas do not lay eggs on the pet but on the carpet. Bed bugs do not live on animals. I recommend a flea preventative like oral Nexgard, Simparica, Bravecto or topical Advantix ii or the Seresto collar. If there are no live fleas or flea dirt then she likely has a secondary skin infection or rash from an allergic reaction the the fleas. I would have her seen by your Vet so she can be provided relief. Also it looks like she has a paw infection which could be from environmental or food allergies. Good luck!

Those spots look like normal healing after a mild skin infection or irritation. I would continue to just keep an eye on it. If the spots seem to be multiplying, turn much darker, or turn red, then you may want to have Benito rechecked by your vet. They should continue to get lighter and go away over the next week or two.

Most often when we see a lesion like this on the skin it is the result of an insect bite, in particular a biting fly such as a black fly. If your dog is acting normally then I would just monitor the area. If the lesion grows in size, becomes raised or oozes a discharge, or your dog develops many more lesions, becomes lethargic or very itchy a vet exam is recommended.

This presentation could be due to a trauma or localized spot of skin infection (likely to be caused by bacteria). Underlying allergy can predispose to skin infection. A check up, appropriate disinfection and possibly antibiotics (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are needed to solve the problem. Disinfection can eventually be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any licking/scratching. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.