The first thing to do if you notice dark patches on your dog’s skin is to get your dog checked out by a veterinarian. There are several causes of these dark spots. You can either get them due to friction, such as under your dog’s arms, or they could be a skin condition. These include hyperpigmentation, yeast infection, and hypothyroidism.

Yeast infection

If you suspect that your dog has a yeast infection, there are a number of options for treatment. You can use a topical cream or an antifungal shampoo to treat the infected area. It’s important to note that these medications can be toxic to dogs, so make sure to dilute them before applying to your dog’s skin. Your veterinarian may also recommend an oral tablet for severe cases.

Yeast infections in dogs can be very uncomfortable for your dog. They usually develop on the skin and ears, and they can become very itchy. Your dog may even lick its affected skin excessively. The infection can also cause your dog to have a foul odor. While it’s not contagious, it can become worse if it’s left untreated.

Your dog may show the symptoms of a yeast infection by scratching his paws constantly, or he may have excessive hair that is red and rusty. Additionally, your dog may have an excessive “corn chip” smell. While this smell is normal for a dog, an increased amount may indicate a yeast infection. Your dog may also scratch his ears and shake his head, indicating obvious discomfort.

The first step in treating your dog’s yeast infection is to identify and treat the underlying cause. The cause of the black spots may be a yeast infection, or it may be a flea infestation. While fleas are one of the most common causes of dog skin infections, their infestation may be difficult to detect. It’s best to treat the underlying cause as quickly as possible.

Fortunately, there are a number of treatment options available for this condition. The first step is to consult a veterinarian. A veterinarian will be able to diagnose the condition and prescribe the best treatment for your dog. If your dog has an underlying issue, your veterinarian may prescribe a topical treatment or oral medication.

Yeast dermatitis is caused by an abnormal overgrowth of yeast on your dog’s skin. Although this fungus is natural, the overgrowth of yeast can cause a variety of problems, including infection, inflammation, and pain.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the dog’s thyroid gland is underactive, and therefore, it doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone. This in turn slows down the dog’s metabolism. This condition can affect any breed of dog, but it’s most common in Dobermans, Dachshunds, Cocker Spaniels, and Irish Setters. Treatment is simple and inexpensive. Your veterinarian can order blood tests to diagnose the condition, and prescribe specific doses of the manmade hormone levothyroxine (L-thyroxine).

Symptoms of hypothyroidism can include a lowered metabolism and a dull coat. It can also lead to hair loss and droopy eyelids. Moreover, dogs with this condition may also have an increase in weight. The first signs of hypothyroidism can be a dull coat and skin, but sometimes black spots and weight gain may occur before other symptoms appear. If your dog experiences these symptoms, he should be tested by a veterinarian.

During a physical examination, your veterinarian will check your dog’s thyroid function. The tests will measure the level of the main thyroid hormone, thyroxin (T4), in a blood sample. If TT4 is low, it’s likely that your dog has hypothyroidism. A more definitive diagnosis can be made by measuring free T4 (FT4) in a blood sample using equilibrium dialysis. Additional tests may be required depending on your dog’s condition.

Hypothyroidism can affect any breed, but it’s most common in large breeds and females. Interestingly, neutered males and spayed females have a higher risk of developing this condition, although it’s unclear why. Regardless of your dog’s breed, the disease can affect his or her skin and cause a range of changes. The hormones produced by the thyroid gland help maintain a healthy immune system and normal tissue repair.

Once your veterinarian has determined the cause, treatment can begin. Treatment may require weeks or even months. The condition may recur. In the meantime, you can treat your dog with medicated shampoos or antibiotics.

Normal skin pigmentation

The colour of a dog’s skin is controlled by his colour genes, which control the distribution of eumelanin and phaeomelanin. The genes tell certain cells to produce the pigment, and others not to. Dogs’ colour genes are often random and can switch from one type of pigment to another periodically.

However, some dogs may have darker patches than others, which is known as hyperpigmentation. While this type of change is normal in dogs, some dog owners may be concerned if they notice a sudden change in their dogs’ skin color. These changes in dogs’ skin color are often secondary to other skin conditions or metabolic problems, and should not be cause for alarm.

The most important step in treating a dog with a pigmented patch is to determine the cause of the problem. Sometimes, the pigmentation may be secondary to a bacterial or fungal infection. In this case, treatment with antibiotics and medicated shampoos is recommended. It may take several months for the skin pigmentation to return to normal.

While dogs can develop hyperpigmentation in various areas of the body, it usually does not affect the quality of life. A veterinarian may prescribe a treatment program based on the dog’s individual needs and symptoms. For most dogs, hyperpigmentation will go away on its own and is not a life-threatening condition. However, if the condition persists, regular visits to a vet may be necessary to prevent it from getting worse.

Some dogs have hyperpigmented skin due to genetic or hormonal reasons. In other cases, it can also be caused by certain medications, inflammation or sun exposure. Some skin diseases may also cause discoloration, such as vitiligo. These conditions can cause patches of skin to become white or gray.

There are genetic causes of dog skin disease, including lentigo and vitiligo. While lentigo is an asymptomatic condition, vitiligo is a progressive disease that causes patches of unpigmented skin to develop. Antibodies to melanocytes have been found in the serum of infected dogs. If your dog is suffering from this condition, he may require an immune-suppressive therapy to stop the disease from progressing.