LoveToKnow Dogs:AllComments

From LoveToKnow Dogs

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Hi Jen, and welcome to the site.

I'm not a vet, but this sounds like it could be a case of mites. I think the best thing you can do is call your vet right away.

Best wishes for your dog's quick recovery.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a 4 yr old golden retriver, her fur used to be med. lengh and some what curly. Her skin has darkened to almost black and her fur resembles a deer. She is also scratching like crazy!

-- Contributed by: Jen

Hi Dawn,

I'm sorry to hear about the change in your dog's coat. While I'll can't really tell you why it's happening, I do recommend you discuss the situation with your vet and schedule an exam. A worm infestion can affect a dog's coat, but so can a thyroid condition and other diseases. It would be best to allow your vet to perform a fecal examination and a blood panel to get a better idea of what's going on. Please let us know what you find out, and if anyone else's dog has experienced these symptoms, please let us know what caused them.

Best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi hope someone can help I am really worried about my Chocolate labrador. He is 4 years old and has always had a lovely shiny healthy coat, until recently when I noticed that his head and front legs still look normal and a about a two inch stip down his spine but his back end and either side the fur is more coarse in texture and is very dull and light brown in colour. We did change his food about 2 months ago in case their was something wrong with his diet but it hasn't helped.

-- Contributed by: Dawn

Hi Sheila,

Although I can't diagnose what the problem might be, such a significant change is usually worth letting your vet take a look. You should go ahead and call your vet and give a description of what you see. The vet may want to take a skin scraping for closer analysis. Hopefully this is nothing serious, but it would be better to make sure.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I hope your dog will be alright.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi, I have a five month old female Bichon Frise, we recently took her to a groomer to have her fur cut for the summer. I began to see dark spots/patches on her skin, which is normally pink. There seems to be no change in her fur and she doesnt seem to be scratching any more then usually. I am a bit concerned and I hope that you can help with this matter. Do yoyu think that I need to take to to the vet? Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

-- Contributed by: Sheila

Hi Sarah,

That's really interesting. Again, I think it would be a good idea to bring it to your vet's attention. It may be a simple matter and nothing to worry about, but it would be good to know either way. Please let us know if you find out anything. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Our 10 year old boxer has developed patterns in her coat similar to Elaine's description. At first we thought they were somehow linked to hormonal changes as they would come and go but they have recently reappeared larger and more prominent than ever before.

-- Contributed by: sarah

Hi Elaine, and welcome to the site.

I'll need a few more details in order to try to picture what you're describing. Are these patterns on the fur or the skin? Exactly what shapes do these patterns take?

There are brindle boxers that have a sort of oddly striped pattern on their coats, but I've never heard of this suddenly appearing on a three-year-old dog. I'll be interested to hear your responses to my questions. In the meantime, don't hesitate to give your vet a call in case this might be early sign of a fungal infection.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I recently noticed that my 3 year old boxer has started to have odd patterns appearing on her coat its almost like she has been tattoed, she has no other symptoms and appears to be healthy

-- Contributed by: Elaine

Hi Maileny,

Is it your Peke mix's skin or just the fur on his belly that is turning brown? If it's just the fur, there's a chance that his urine is staining the coat if it's long enough to be in the way when he potties. If this is the case, you can ask your groomer to shave the area to help keep it cleaner.

If it is his skin, you might want to ask your vet to take a look to make sure everything is okay. Sometimes dogs develop freckles on their tummies, and this is natural, but if the entire area is turning brown, it bears exploring the cause. Sometimes mites or other skin diseases will cause discoloration.

Thanks for visiting the site, and I hope there's nothing wrong that can't be easily fixed. Do let us know what your vet has to say.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a beagle mixed with a Pekkgneese(hope I spelled it right) He is 1 year old and a few months and I recently maybe a week or so noticed his belly is changing to a dark color brownish. Hes happy go lucky so I cant tell anything wrong with him. Could this be becuase we recently moved from NY to Fl. We have been here less than a month. I worried only becuase its fairly dark but hes still going and going like a puppy. lol someone help me please.

-- Contributed by: Maileny

Hi Arnold,

This is curious. You don't see any irritation at all? I would have thought that the hair loss might be attributed to licking. That said, it's very difficult to diagnose skin and hair loss problems, and vets usually take skin scrapings and hair samples to help them find the cause. The best thing you can do is make an appointment with your vet. Hopefully you can prevent the problem from growing worse.

Best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a 7 year old chihuahua with solid brown hair. On both sides from stomach to leg the hair has turned to a lighter tan color, with loss of some hair and minor flaking of skin. It also started on the top of the rump. I have tried anti itch spray. The dog does not scratch abnormally and does not seem to be bothered.

-- Contributed by: Arnold

Hi Natasha,

I'm sorry to hear about your situation. I'm not a vet, so I can't help with a diagnosis, but I can make one recommendation. If your current vets think anything about your dog's discomfort and your own distress are funny, dump them and find a new vet that is willing to do the work to reach a diagnosis. You and your dog both deserve better. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi,

My Yorkie has skin problems that no vet has been able to help. They don't even know what it is. It's been our battle for 2yrs now. She smells within 24 hrs of having a bath, there is a growth bewteen her eyes...back of the neck....and sometimes below her ear. It looks like scabs that grow. We can get them off but then they grow back. I have had Vets that think this is funny. We sure don't think so. She is not a happy camper. I'm looking for someone that truly wants to help me find a cure. Can anyone help?

-- Contributed by: Natasha
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