Black, Thick, Itchy Skin Spreading on a Dachshund's Chest
by A reader
I have tried mite shampoo and drops on the back of his neck but no luck. I tried antibiotic ointment, medicated shampoo,hydrogen peroxide, organic food,no luck. Have been giving him a bath every other day but his skin does not seem to be drying out or clearing up. When I wipe him with a white cloth to ease his itching I do get slight darkening of the cloth. Hes sleep on a white sheet and I check him for ticks and fleas all the time and have found a few ticks but no fleas.
We do have rabbits, foxes, and coyotes in our neighborhood, which I hear can spread skin problems. The fur in some spots is strawlike. The black area was very small for a long time and I thought it was from him rubbing on the carpet(I taught him to do pushups when my son went to Marine bootcamp) so now he does push ups(he can do 5!) just to get a treat, this causes his chest to rub on the carpet, so I
I am out of work and on disibility and just paid the Vet for a tooth removal to remove a tooth from my other dog and have spent alot of money on remedies. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Black, thickened, moist and itchy skin on the chest, armpits and sides is very typical of a yeast infection (Malassezia) on top of allergies. Dachshunds also get a condition where the skin darkens and thickens in the armpits (acanthosis nigricans), which often gets infected. The dark residue on the cloth and greasy, strawlike hair fit yeast well, and ear problems often go with it.
Bathing every other day with regular or human products can make it worse. A vet can confirm yeast with a quick tape test. Antifungal and antiseptic medicated shampoos used twice weekly and left on for 10 minutes usually help, and some dogs need tablets. Also ask about the ears, since yeast is more common there than mites.
Because rubbing on the carpet seems to have started it, try a T-shirt for push-ups or skip them for now. If cost is a worry, ask your vet about a payment plan, or look for a low-cost clinic, humane society clinic or veterinary school near you.
See black skin in dogs.
This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.
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