Have you noticed a certain spot on your dog’s skin turning black? This is possibly indicating an inflammatory process that is going on in the animal’s body. When there is itching or irritation in a specific area, a dog may consistently lick at it causing skin darkening. Licking can also cause light hairs to turn brown or red and as the skin darkens, it can thicken over time.
Some possible causes of skin darkening or hyperpigmentation in dogs include the following:
- Allergies
- Mite infection (especially Demodex sp.)
- Bacterial infection
- Yeast infection
Skin darkening may also indicate a hormonal issue such as Cushing’s syndrome which is characterized by an increase in the levels of adrenal hormones in the dog’s body. Another health issue that can cause changes in skin pigment is hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid gland).
Sudden changes in your pet’s skin pigment should be brought to the attention of your vet Bee Cave TX.
