Canine Black Skin Disease Treatment

by Ann

My German Shepphard's skin is black and her hair has fallen out. Do you think it is Black Skin Disease? I take her to vets and they give her antibiotics and steroids. It helps for a while and then she looks like this. I am probably going to try Auburn Veterinary School. She is so sweet.

Mia Elsa=My Humble One

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Dear Ann,

Thank you for your question regarding canine black skin disease and sorry to hear about the problems with Mia Elsa's skin condition.

“Canine Black Skin Disease” is a generalized term for dog hair loss and hyper pigmentation (darkening) of the skin with an unknown cause. It has been noted that this is thought to be caused by some unknown hormonal disturbance phenomenon of the adrenal gland. Researchers are looking at this as a genetic problem.

This condition fairly resembles Cushing's disease and is also called Alopecia X or Pseudo-Cushing's.

Symptoms of canine alopecia or dog hair loss usually starts at the neck and proceeds to the whole body, excluding the head and forelegs. Skin may become darkened or hyper pigmentation is noted on alopecic regions of the body. Mild to severe signs include weight alteration and lethargy are also noted, but these are not primary signs.

It is noted that canine black skin disease is more common in Pomeranians, Water Spaniels, Dachshund and Poodles etc, but this may occur in any breed, especially in dogs that are bred.

The symptoms narrated by you and the picture you supplied suggest that your dog is suffering from canine black skin disease, but this is not a final confirmation.

You'll have to go for a detailed clinical examination along with laboratory tests for cortisol (adrenal hormone) levels and other advanced techniques to confirm the “Canine Black Skin Disease” condition.

Management of this condition is almost the same as the approach used for Cushing's disease, i.e. use of specific therapeutics to alter the level of cortisol in the body (medications such as Mitotane, Ketaconazole, Trilostane and Deprinyl etc) and strict monitoring of clinical symptoms and hormone levels in the body.

Additionally, your dog's diet should be altered according to the development of condition. These variations during treatment will vary from dog to dog.

All of these approaches can only be accomplished with a prescription from a veterinarian. In order to effectively manage the condition, an owner has to strictly follow instructions provided.

Here, for added support, we can suggest some natural remedies which will surely help to overcome the severity of the condition and improve skin health. Products such as Cushex Drops will help to maintain normal levels of cortisol in the body, while other remedies such as Skin and Coat Tonic will improve skin and immune health.

Best of luck to you and your dog regarding treatment for canine black skin disease. Please keep us up to date on your dog's condition.