Need help with black skin and rash

[Renegade]

Please offer your suggestions and fixes from anyone that has experienced this problem. Thanks in advance.

2 yr old female GSD from working lines. Appears healthy, active, is not over weight and gets regular exercise and play time. Current diet is TOTW high prarie Bison and Venison. Was previously supplementing with GNC omega3 fish oil.

Having an issue with black skin, rash, primarily on stomach, groin, and arm pits. Tufts of hair coming out along with small scabs in various locations on chest and back. Lots is licking and scratching. Also had yeasty smell that would return day ater bathing.

Went to vet and prescribed 10 day course of Ketoconazole (200mg 2/day) Cephalexin (750mg 2/day) and Ketochlor shampoo (2x/ week). While on meds issues improved. Been off meds for 3 weeks and conditions are starting to get worse again. licking and itching started back up 3-4days ago. Skin looking worse (need got completely better) So far no tufts of hair coming out from scabs or funky smell.

After the meds I thought I would be a good owner and started on ProBios probiotics to restore the healthy flora to the gut. However after seeing the problem come back I did some research and did not care for what I saw regarding the ProBios (particularly Enterococcus faecium). So did the bacterial / fungal infections never get cured? Did ProBios cause problems? What was the root cause of the issue to begin with?

Please help.

[msvette2u]

That's a chronic yeasty type infection.
Is she on some type of antihistimine?
Have you tried Natural Balance? It's got even fewer ingredients so to make an elimination diet easier - I'd try the fish/sweet potato maybe.

Also keep in mind that allergens from diet account for only 10% of allergies in dogs, the rest are things like grasses, pollens, things in carpeting like mites, and the like.

[Rahrah]

Looks itchy!
The black is from the skin thickening- it'll go back to normal after you've eliminated the cause- unfortunately finding the cause may not be simple...

Our pup developed an allergy to kibble (watery eyes, runny stools and itchiness) after her vaccinations (for leptospirosis and tetanus)-may have been a coincidence- who knows? her skin started hiving up and she developed hotspots underneath her armpits as well as hairloss on her chest and tummy. After much reading I decided to put her on a raw diet and everything cleared up in around 3 weeks time. We haven't looked back since.

Hope you find your answer.

[Renegade]

No antihistimine. Was on this diet and Blue Buffalo Wilderness and raw previously with no problems. Problem 1st appeared when I got stupid and tried to save some money with Authority (Sam's brand) dog food. Itchy scratchy started and I treated with Micazole or Vetricyn spray but it never completely went away. Would the "yeasty type infection be from an allergy?

[Renegade]

Thanks Rahrah. I may have to go back to raw, I just have a time making sure its balanced.

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

Thyroid is also a possibility.

[Freestep]

Originally Posted by Renegade

Problem 1st appeared when I got stupid and tried to save some money with Authority (Sam's brand) dog food. Itchy scratchy started and I treated with Micazole or Vetricyn spray but it never completely went away. Would the "yeasty type infection be from an allergy?

What happens is that allergies make the dog itchy, and the dog chews and scratches, to the point where the skin becomes raw. Then the skin becomes a moist enviornment for yeast and bacteria to proliferate and get into the bloodstream, and infection sets in.

I would call your vet, possibly another round of antifungals/antibiotics is needed, along with something for the itch, possibly an antihistamine? I don't know if the vet would want to give her corticosteroids for the itching or not; it would break the cycle of itching and scratching, but also tends to depress the immune system.

What was the reason you stopped giving probiotics? Was she getting worse while on them?

[chelle]

I am NOT an expert on allergy issues by any means, but I've sure been thru the ringer with them. They're very stressful, I know.

I see you're in Atlanta, GA? I am up here in the cold climates, so it is a little easier for us northerners to pinpoint things. (Environmental, flea, food.)

I still don't know exactly what my oldest girl's issue(s) are, (non-gsd), but I'm learning. I do know flea allergies are VERY bad for her and will completely set her off. How are the fleas in your area? Is she flea treated? Just throwing that out there.

I changed to a grain free, limited ingredient food, (venison & sweet potatoe) added a supplement and a probiotic and have had nothing less than *wonderful* results. HOWEVER, after all this time, she STILL has a patch of black skin that I doubt will ever go away. At one point, this girl looked horrific. Hair loss. Black skin. Itchy spots that got crusty. I mean, she was a mess. Here's her belly now:



She's laying on her back, in front of me... notice the blackish patch by her right (looking down) rear leg. It is not inflamed, not thick, not crusty, not itchy .. it is just dark. I think it will always be that way. I wish I had some before and after pics to show the incredible change. This same dog lost a great deal of hair on her back legs and it was red, crusty, awful. With the changes, there is brand new hair growth and she's looking really good!

You might want to google "black skin disease." Here's just one link:
Black Skin Disease (Alopecia X) in Dogs | Overview & Facts

Are you having ear issues as well?

[RebelGSD]

Actually the dark skin coloration can develop when the skin is recovering after an infection or mange for example. During the healing process the skin produces pigment as a form of protection. After a month or two the dark pigmentation start fading. It can be a good sign.

[msvette2u]

The dark skin is just increased pigment from irritation (whatever the cause) it usually does mean a chronic issue though.

Yeast and bacterial infection and greasy damp skin all go hand in hand.