Black skin not much hair on rescue dog

echo8287 · 02-10-2009, 12:02 PM

My daughter found a little Mini Schnauzer wandering the streets. He weighed 9 pounds and his backbone and ribs were showing. He was real weak. She took him to the vet and they trimmed off his severely matted hair. She is feeding him, and gave him a bath. I trimmed him this past weekend and noticed his skin on the legs is black not pink. Anyone ever see this before? Is it a nutritional deficiency, cause he hasn't been eating much? frostbite? I Googled up "black skin disease, thyroid problems, and hereditary on some dogs. Anyone ever see this before? David

reynosa_k9's · 02-10-2009, 12:21 PM

One of my rescues had black bumpy skin all over his belly, groin area, legs and neck and very little hair when I first got him. It was due to a combination of mange and poor diet. I'm not saying that is what's wrong with your dog. You need a vet to check him out.

Jihad
and the pound puppy crew.

echo8287 · 02-10-2009, 01:00 PM

My daughter took him to the vet, BUT oddly they didn't say anything about the black skin on the legs. They did say he didn't have mange, she asked cause she has a Yorkie and didn't want him giving the Yorkie anything. I think I'm going to have to take him to my vet when she comes for a visit and let him check the little guy out. If anyone has seen anything like this give me a post. David

Canadian Dog · 02-10-2009, 01:01 PM

I had a dog years ago that was losing hair and her skin was turning blackish and was smelly. Vet checked her thyroid and put her on meds and the problem cleared up.

lulusmom · 02-10-2009, 05:50 PM

I have two dogs with skin and coat issues, both have cushing's disease and hypothyroidism. Both conditions can cause change in pigmentation and hair loss. My littlest one used to have pink skin but in the course of two years, her skin turned almost completely black.

Mini Schnauzers are at the top of the list of breeds predisposed to pancreatitis and hyperlipidemia, plus a few other conditions. Since this little guy is nine years old and if you could afford it, I'd recommend that a full senior panel be done to get to the bottom of his inappettance as well as his skin and coat issues.

echo8287 · 02-11-2009, 01:19 AM

Thanks for the posts. The little Schnauzer is 3 or 4 years old and weighed 9 pounds at the vet. Only his legs are black and he is very thin. My daughter is feeding him 3 or 4 small meals a day to try and get some meat on his bones. They are walking him daily to strengthen his muscles some. He has hair on his back and around his face. His hair on his belly is very thin and on his legs too.David

Patt · 02-11-2009, 02:48 AM

Good to hear your daughter is feeding small amounts to him 3-4 times a day. He's probably been in poor health for a long time and it will take that long to put him back in shape. With rest, good food, exercise and your TLC he will probably blossom into a gorgeous little Schnauzer. The black skin color could be anything and even possibly his normal color.

If you have't already done it, I would have him scanned for a microchip.

I second a full blood panel, this is the only way to tell if he has a medical problem(s) or not.

Good luck and be sure to keep us updated on his progress.

p.s. Thanks to you and your daughter for taking this little guy in.

echo8287 · 02-13-2009, 12:21 AM

Here are a couple of pics of his foot>

Here is a pic of the little guy>

He looks pretty thin in this one,you can see his backbone>

I hope these pics are not too big, they are supposed to be 800x600, David

We had him scanned for a chip,he didn't have one. He had a collar on but no tags on it. I think he is about 3 or 4 years old. I believe he has been out for several months. He has really got attached to my daughter and follows her around the house. She says he is getting better and stronger every day and seems to be happy. David

echo8287 · 02-13-2009, 12:50 AM

A couple of more pics>

He's under the coffee table here>

He looks pretty rough even though he had a bath. You should have seen him before the bath. As his hair grows out, I'll trim him up some. There is not much to trim in some places right now. He's a real sweet little dog and I think he's very grateful to my daughter by his actions, David

Patt · 02-13-2009, 01:51 AM

Aww he is a little cutie. The discoloration on his paws may be from licking. Saliva turns the hair a different color. Let us know what the vet says.

Moker · 02-13-2009, 02:37 AM

what a cute guy.

tell your daughter thanks for taking care of him!

echo8287 · 07-21-2009, 03:08 AM

Just a little update on this dog my daughter rescued from the streets of Smyrna Ga. He came to visit today and he's looking happy, his hair grew back and is now shiny,the hair grew back on his nose and he likes to play ball. The black skin on his legs disappeared and is now pink.We took him swimming and he isn't real crazy about that, was kind of a thrasher in the water. He is learning to play with the other dogs. He doesn't beg at the table. He is very attached to my daughter and worries if she leaves,but we kept him for awhile and he gets over it quickly. She is happy she saved him and apparently he is too.He's really doing great and is a very sweet dog!!! David