Why does my dog have a dark skin spot and sparse hair growth?

Hello. Bingo may have a parasitic problem ( fleas, mange mites ), severe allergies, or a significant skin infection. Remove any collars he may be wearing, especially a flea & tick one, & bathe him in cool water using an oatmeal based shampoo like Aveeno. Leave the shampoo on for 10 minutes before rinsing ). Dry him & then contact your veterinarian at your earliest convenience to see what the underlying cause of his skin issues are. Hem may need additional treatment(s) such as a medicated shampoo, or antibiotics, or another medication to clear things up & keep his skin &

Hi and thanks for your request. One of the most important reasons for darkening of the skin is a chronic type of inflammation. This is usually combined with more clinical signs (like other skin lesions, itch or alopecia). If no other signs are present then a metabolic or endocrine disease can be suspected. Please repost your question and give us more informations and ideally some pictures so we can give you more specific answers.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Bingo. It sounds like he is itching if he is biting his side. He could be experiencing seasonal allergies as those are a big source of itching in a dog this time of year. Be sure to check him over for fleas as well. Other causes of itching are a mild skin infection, an insect bite or sting or a small skin mass. I would start by bathing him with a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner such as an oatmeal or fatty acid based formula. If this does not relieve his symptoms, then he will need to see his veterinarian. I hope this information helps!

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Many dogs normally have darker pigmented areas of skin under their fur. In some dogs, this does pigment can increase with age. It is impossible to tell only from a photograph however if this is normal pigment. She would need to be assessed by a veterinarian with a physical exam to determine if there is cause for concern.

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Sammy and for providing a picture, it's very helpful. In the picture, I swear I see some dry, flakey skin. I'm wondering if he has a skin infection causing the hair loss and flakey skin. Without seeing him in person, I can't make a definitive diagnosis. I would have him seen by a vet to have this diagnosed and treated. Give his vet a call to make him an appointment. I hope this helps!

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! From the picture, I can see a small, flat, brown area that is slightly irregular. Though I cannot diagnose Mindy without seeing her in person, I would be happy to share some possible causes and advice on next steps. This could be a benign growth, similar to a mole or freckle on a person or a malignant growth (cancer). Several types of cancer can affect the skin, particularly lighter areas that have less hair. The area does not seem to be infected, as there is no discharge, redness, or swelling, but a bacterial or fungal infection is a possibility. You can have Mindy evaluated by a veterinarian who can take a small piece, or biopsy of the area to definitively diagnose the growth. This may require light sedation or general anesthesia to completely remove it. You can continue to monitor the area for an increase in size, margins, change in color, or additional discharge. If you notice any change in Mindy, you should definitely have her examined by a veterinarian as soon as possible. I hope this helps!

Canelo's skin looks like it is progressively getting more irritated. The dark discoloration indicates ongoing issues. There can be many causes of this including allergies and thyroid conditions. Canelo should be examined by vet and then the first diagnostics decided upon. Each allergy has a different way to diagnose it so this process can take a while. I hope this helps to point you in the right direction!