My dog's skin is discolored from licking. Is it dry skin or illness?

This could be hyperpigmentation secondary to infection (bacterial or yeast), allergies (food, environmental, etc.) Or endocrine disorders. You can use an e-collar (cone) to prevent licking. Keep the area clean and dry. Your veterinarian may provide a definitive diagnosis after a physical exam. A fish oil supplement may be recommended to promote healthy skin and coat. https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/acanthosis-nigricans/

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is possibly due to allergies. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing his allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. A secondary infection is likely and also needs to be addressed. There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be the issue then you are left out having to check for environmental allergies which require blood and/or skin tests. Allergies can be very frustrating to deal with at first but so rewarding at the end when we are able to treat them effectively!

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! From the photos, the discoloration looks like it is caused by salivary enzymes from chronic licking. This can be due to an underlying skin infection or environmental/food allergies. Your vet can rule out these conditions with some skin samples and possibly a food trial. I hope this helps!

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Based on the pictures you provided, it would appear as though Lily may have a skin infection. I would recommend the following products to see if this helps. If there is no improvement, Lily may also need oral antibiotics. These products can be found online quite easily. 1. Douxo PS Chlorhexidine shampoo 2. Miconhahex + Triz spray 3. Essential 6 spot on

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I can see that Rillie has some irritation and discoloration of the fur. The discoloration is from chronic licking, and saliva contains enzymes in it that cause the fur to change color. The areas she has been licking are typically areas that flare up in cases of allergies - these can be to something in the environment such as mold or dust, or certain proteins in food. While the itching is not comfortable, the chronic clicking causes destruction of the skin barrier and this predisposes Rillie to bacterial and/or fungal skin infections. Your vet can determine if an infection is present and perform bloodwork to rule in/out specific allergens. I hope this helps and am happy to answer any other questions you may have!

Hi, thanks for using PetCoach! Dry, flaky skin alone is not a sign of allergies. [Allergies](https://www.petcoach.co/article/how-to-tell-if-your-pet-has-allergies/) more often involve scratching, hair loss, skin and ear infections. Dry, flaky skin alone can be a result of diet, weather (heat being on inside) and in certain endocrine conditions (low thyroid, Cushings) or other dermatological conditions like Seborrhea. I would start with bathing with a medicated shampoo once weekly. Leave the lather on for 10 mins before rinsing. Keratolux from Virbac is an excellent product, but really [any mild shampoo](https://www.petco.com/category/dog/dog-grooming-and-bathing/dog-shampoos-conditioners-sprays/dog-shampoos/dry-skin-dog-shampoos) will do. Just be sure you rinse it well; I suggest that you rinse with warm (not hot!) water for at least 10 minutes to ensure that all of the residue is gone. I would also consider adding in Omega 3 fish oils. Choose a high quality brand that is made specifically for dogs. I hope this helps!

Hi there and thank you for using pet coach. Regular lotion is not the best idea because of added chemicals and other products that can harm the skin or dry it out. I recommend using a shampoo such as Douxo PS calm shampoo to help strengthen the skin and prevent dandruff. I also recommend using essential 6 spot on by dermoscent and welactin omega 3 fish oil capsules. I would bathe with the shampoo twice weekly. All of these can be found online quite easily. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.