My dog has new black spots near his genitals. Should I worry?

Hello, my name is Dr. Shines and I am happy to help. Looking at the photo I see 4-5 distinct black dots that look to be the pore opening of his teats (they match on both sides so that's how you know). I also see darker skin discoloration around his prepuce. Sometimes this darker discoloration is natural and happens as they age. Sometimes it can indicate a thyroid disorder. Sometimes it indicates allergies. If Yogi doesn't seems bothered by it, it's not itching and he's not excessively licking it, it's probably normal. If it's looking red at all or he's licking at it, then I start to suspect one of the other two causes. Sometimes improving over all skin health can help. For that I recommend a fatty acid like Welactin and a potentially a diet change to Royal Canin or Nutro (both great diets for skin). It will take about 6 weeks to be effective. Washing him in an oatmeal type doggie shampoo and conditioner can also help. If that's not helping, make an appointment for an examine. Sometimes they need stronger medication or they need a blood test for the thyroid. I hope this helps and please feel free to reach out with any additional questions.

Without being able to perform a close physical exam or view an image, it's hard to say for sure what these might be. Some dogs will have black skin pigmentation in this area that can appear as black specks, especially if they have a history of allergies or itching in this area. I would recommend having this examined by a vet to be safe - it may not be anything concerning, but it may also be a skin infection of some kind or even early signs of a skin tumor such as a [melanoma](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/malignant-melanoma/). Your vet can take a look and let you know if it is a cause for concern or not.

Pictures can be deceiving but the areas do not appear raised or thickened from inflammation, if they are indeed as flat and smooth as the surrounding skin i would not be concerned but would monitor for any further increase in size or number, regular photos can help to monitor. sk your vet to check sat your next wellness or vaccine appointment but depigmented spots are quite common and innocent

Those black spots look like comedones (aka: blackheads). I suggest you use this shampoo that contains benzoyl peroxide. Lather the affected areas (no need to do the whole dog), let it sit for 10-15 minutes and then rinse throughly. Do this every 2-3 days until they are gone. Then use this shampoo 1-2 times every month for maintenance. ( allivet.com/p-7130-oxiderm-shampoo-ps.aspx )

It’s difficult to know how to advise without a photo. Pets can get more dark pigment on their skin as they age. Other causes of pigmentation our inflammation, allergies, drama and minor infection’s. Try to get a photo and repost as this may lead to better advice. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Thankfully those are totally normal areas of pigment accumulation in the skin. Often they flake off like any other dead skin cells that are exfoliated by the body. It is common to see this around the genitals in dogs and there is no reason to be concerned. Cheers!

It may be as the moisture from the diaper can create a skin infection and that pigment can be from a yeast infection. It may also be unrelated and due to changes due to the hormones. I would leave the diaper off and keep the area clean and dry. If you notice an odor or it seems to itch and bother her then I would get it checked