Pet Knowledge Center
Black Skin Disease in Dogs
Source: www.animalhealthcare.ca
Hair loss accompanied by darkening of the skin is often termed "black skin disease"...
Hair loss (alopecia) accompanied by darkening of the skin (hyperpigmentation) is often termed "black skin disease". Other names applied to this condition include wooly coat, coat funk, pseudo-Cushing's syndrome, and severe hair loss syndrome.
In Pomeranians, this condition is suspected to be an X-linked inherited disorder since many more males than females are affected, and research is being carried out to identify a linked gene marker so that dogs in this breed can potentially be tested for the condition. Other breeds with increased prevalence of black skin disease include the Alaskan malamute, keeshond, poodle, dachshund, chow chow, Samoyed and American water spaniel.
Many of the afflicted dogs are diagnosed with growth hormone responsive alopecia. Not all affected dogs have abnormal growth hormone levels though, and though many affected dogs develop abnormal signs after puberty, dogs of any age can be affected. In Pomeranians, late onset signs are sometimes associated with reduced 21-hydroxylase levels, enzymes which are involved with processing of some of the reproductive hormone precursors.
Currently, the condition is still considered to be of unknown cause since similar signs of hair loss and black skin are not consistently associated with a standard set of hormone changes. Other conditions that can mimic this condition include Cushing's disease, hypothyroidism, chronic skin infections, and reproductive hormone disorders that should all be ruled out by testing.
If the condition is due to a laboratory confirmed growth hormone deficiency, hormone therapy is instituted. Benefits last from six months to a few years. As hormone therapy can produce diabetes as a side effect, so the attending veterinarian will recommend close monitoring of the urine and blood sugars weekly during treatment.
Reprinted with permission from www.animalhealthcare.ca
Comments
My westie also has this condition, the vet was unsure what was going on, told me to change his diet. that hasn't worked yet either. Dukie has been suffering with this for almost 2 years. He is almost completely bald and is always cold so I buy him puppy clothes, I did notice that where his sweaters and shirts cover him the hair has grown back some and skin is pinker that it used to be. I have researched the net for information and cures, I will try the olive oil and hope that helps if not I will be purchasing an Nzymes yeast infection kit to see if that will help. The last vet we went to said it wasn't yeast, that it was a bacteria on his skin...I am at a loss.
Luana - 2010-07-26 12:13:12 PST
My Lasa Poo has black skin all over and very little pink skin left now and he scratches until his hair falls out. His hair has also got very dull and no shine towards his hind quarters I have taken him to 3 different vets who only want to put him on antibiotics and prednazone. All of which seems to be a temporary fix to the scratching and does not change the color of his skin. I have seen many articles on certain breeds that get this problem but it seems to me it does not matter what breed they are, I know several dogs with this condition around my area and they are none of the breeds mentioned to be susceptible to this disease. Any suggestions that really work would be greatly appreciated.
Rosalind - 2010-06-11 14:45:34 PST
Kim in tucson what was it did the hair grow back black? I think my cat has it too!
Crystal in Texas - 2010-06-09 14:13:42 PST
Hi, I have an English Bulldog...I rescued her from the pound...Which was extremely lucky on my part... But, anyways, I've had her for all most a year and in the last two months or so, I've noticed that her skin is turning black....It started on her belly, now it is moving all over, especially on her sides....I have noticed that on her sides the hair is starting to fall out...Does this sound familiar to anyone? I got laid-off from my job last year so finances are tight...but I want to help her, is there anyone with any suggestions? Any help would be greatly appreciated...Thanks.....
Karyn - 2010-04-15 17:35:12 PST
I have a boxer and she too has this i took her to the vet, and he had no idea what it is. just from going on line i have found out it may be black skin disease. i was told to try vitamin E i hope it works I'll keep you all posted.
Beverly - 2010-04-12 15:22:30 PST
I have a male pom about 4, I usually keep his hair short in the summer. Since last fall I have noted that his hair on the back of his neck had not grown at the same rate, I thought is had something to do with the grooming process. But now that I read this I am not so sure. thanks for the info
Renee - 2010-04-06 12:13:19 PST
my cat has been pulling out her fur along her spine, and then I noticed her skin is turning black. It's kind of freaking me out. It looks like fungus, or mold. It's not crusty, or anything. It's just big patches of black skin. And I noticed her breath stinks like something has died in her. :-( I am taking her to the vet tomorrow at 11am sharp. I will let you all know what I find, I am hearing about this all over the internet for dogs, but not cats. It's terrible.
Kim in Tucson - 2010-02-11 22:49:59 PST
The only thing that will reverse this black skin disease is DERMagic Skin Rescue. It's proven to do so and has a money back guarantee.
Adelia - 2009-11-13 13:38:26 PST
I was very sceptical about DERMagic Skin Care for Animals but in desperation I finally sent to US for it. The result is AMAZING!!
My Pom Rosie was 9yrs old and getting balder and blacker by the day. After just a week new orange fur began to grow and now she is our little furballagain. We are delighted. I would recommend it to anyone. Don't know how or why it works but it does.
Yvonne in the UK - 2009-11-07 15:13:34 PST
For Black Skin disease in dog, this maybe some changing in their internal system, they still live happily nothing different from usual. I have tried on a 13 's old Pekingnese dog with Kelp supplement + Shark Liver Oil. Kelp contain very good natural vitamin, minerals & amino acid, Shark Liver Oil content Squalene same in Olive Oil, but SLO content more. Kelp can enhance the immunity (you can searfch the goodness of Kelp). SLO can regenerated the skin cell and elimate the toxin & heavy metal from the body. If just beginning 1 bottle (about 1 month) will work but serious you have to continuous treating. It really work. The supplement won't harm but good for the health. On the same dog, I have test twice. First time last year, treat for 1 bottle good result stop and the black skin come back last month test again the black skin gone slowly, it changing to normal skin color. Remember if the dog get Black Skin Disease, the disease will not gone so continuous supplement is need.
Joe Kwok from Hongkong - 2009-08-02 01:19:06 PST
My groomer suggested coconut oil but my terrier mix doesn't like it so I will try the olive oil. Vet said to take serotonin for hair loss.
junieg - 2009-07-02 16:30:31 PST
I would like to offer a suggestion for this condition. I too have a male Pomeranian that had this condition, of the black skin and dryness, causing severe itching and hair loss. I read somewhere online on a blog, that Olive Oil is a good thing to clear this up. I used it everyday on my doggy for about 4 months and I saw a great improvement! The hair came back and the blackness is now gone, replaced by the normal skin color! Please try it and see it it works for yours! I am so happy to have found out this info and am glad to share it here with you!
Laura - 2009-06-28 10:14:50 PST
Hello I have a male Lab. He started licking and scratching in his hind quarters. Then I notice his skin started to turn Black. It is now moving up to his ears and on his back. I have tried all kinds of things and it doesn't seem to get any better. I feel so bad for him I know it has to be painful. Do you have any suggestions as to how to get rid of this and is it contagious I have a white cat too and I don't want him to get this.
Thank you
Lesa - 2009-06-12 15:52:05 PST
Please check out the article written by our expert Dr. Goldston titled "A Review of Common Skin Ailments for Senior Pets". He wrote it in response to both your questions.
Senior Pet Products Team - 2009-05-28 11:55:21 PST
Good afternoon, my chow chow is also loosing hair and her skin is blackening. Also she's getting a lot of warts on her inner thighs. Will she become completely black and bald if she doesn't receive any treatment?
chrysanthy - 2009-05-17 13:19:55 PST
My husky has been losing his coat near to his rear end his skin has turned black and looks swollen, we thought he had a zinc deficiency or fleas but this has been ruled out by the vets. He is tender where the dark skin is, what action do you suggest I take? I am not sure if it is a serious infection, he seems happy, he can walk fine, and his appetite is fine. Spirit will be 7 on Sept 11th.
Teresa - 2009-05-12 11:57:46 PST
