New golden: filthy, fleas, matted, black mass. What should I do?

Hi there, thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! The dark substance appears from your photos to be sebum (skin oil) mixed with dirt, though it is difficult to say for sure without a hands-on exam. Around these lesions, I can see skin inflammation. It would be best for him to see a veterinarian, but if you're unable to take Justice to a vet, you will need to clip the hair using electric trimmers. Be careful to avoid causing skin abrasions. This will allow a better look at the lesions underneath as well as facilitate topical treatment. A good antiseptic is a spray called Vetericyn, available on Amazon.com and at some pet stores. Here is the Amazon link: Vetericyn Plus All Animal Wound

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!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be a skin infection. You can try to use a medicated shampoo containing chlorhexidine twice weekly for 2 weeks. If there is no improvement or in the meantime this appears to be getting worse, have her evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Good luck and have a good night!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! These could benign or malignant growths. This is often differentiated by a test called a fine needle aspirate (FNA) which is a pain free, inexpensive and easy procedure which in most cases will help reach a diagnosis. Sometimes a biopsy is needed for a definitive diagnosis. I recommend that you have her evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good day!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Baby Girl! I think what your describing can still be fleas, especially if you are seeing small black things running around on her skin. Or if you are seeing black squiggley flecks that when wet on a paper towel 'melt" to bloody streaks (flea poop). Flea baths and topical flea treatments do not work as well to prevent fleas from jumping back on the dog. Frequent bathing strips products like Frontline, Advantage/Advantix and Revolution. I have seen dogs infested with fleas where Frontline is used. The fact that Baby Girl has sores makes me recommend that you have her examined by your Vet .She has to be uncomfortable and likely needs antibiotics and something to relieve the itch (prednisone or apoquel). The Vet can check her well for fleas and prescribe a more effective flea preventative (Nexgard, Bravecto, Simparica, Seresto Collar). I hope this helps and I wish Baby Girl a speedy recovery!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Puppy! I recommend taking her to the Vet. It sounds like she has a bad skin infection from reacting to the medications. The fur should be shaved away, antibiotics and anti-inflammatories should be given. There are great flea and tick medications out there now that are oral: Nexgard, Simparica and Bravecto. The topical flea medications do not work nearly as well. And for puppy this will hopefully avoid reactions like this in the future. I hope this helps and I wish Puppy a speedy recovery!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be a benign or malignant growth. There is no way of knowing what it is just based on its appearance. This is often differentiated by a test called a fine needle aspirate (FNA) which is a pain free, inexpensive and easy procedure which in most cases will help reach a diagnosis. Sometimes a biopsy is needed for a definitive diagnosis. I recommend that you have her evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good night!