Introduction
Black skin disease in dogs is a condition in which the hair falls out, the skin becomes dark, and sometimes the skin becomes inflamed and infected. Black skin disease has been diagnosed in dogs of all ages and breeds, but it is seems to occur in particular breeds more often. Breeds that are more susceptible to black skin disease include: Pomeranians, Dachshunds, Poodles, Alaskan Malamutes, Keeshonds, Chow Chows, Samoyeds, and American Water Spaniels. This disease also occurs more often in male dogs.
Causes of Black Skin Disease in Dogs
The exact cause of black skin disease has not yet been pinpointed. Various forms of the disease occur from a variety of causes including obesity, hormone imbalance, allergies, and genetics. Some dogs are affected so badly from black skin disease that they need medication, and other dogs are only mildly affected. There is no exact age at which the disease seems to develop, though it appears more frequently after puberty.
Diagnosing Black Skin Disease
Only your veterinarian will be able to diagnose whether or not your dog has black skin disease. Since other diseases such as Cushing’s, skin infections, and hypothyroidism can cause symptoms that look a lot like black skin disease, your veterinarian will need to run tests to determine black skin disease is the actual cause of your dog's symptoms.
Common Tests a Vet May Perform
- Chemistry panel that includes a thyroid level
- Complete blood count
- Cytology of the skin to look for bacteria and/or yeast
- Special tests for Cushing's disease or skin biopsies may also be administered dependent on the initial results
If your dog has been diagnosed with black skin disease, it is best to discuss with a veterinarian whether treatments should be administered.
Treating Black Skin Disease in Dogs
Black skin disease is treated based on its cause. If the cause is due to a hormone imbalance, hormone therapies can be given. If the disease is caused by obesity or allergies, addressing these conditions can reduce the severity of the symptoms. Some of the treatments of black skin disease can have serious side effects. For example, hormone therapies and steroid treatments may cause the development of diabetes.