Black Underarms, Crusty Scabs and a Cheesy Smell on a German Shepherd
by A reader
I have a 7-year-old german shepherd. For the past 3 or so years, she has had an on-and-off problem with her skin. She has a beautiful coat, but the skin on her underarms has turned black in areas, and she develops these patches of crusty scabs especially on her underside, belly area. As a result her skin in those areas has a very smelly odor (I refer to it as a "cheesy" smell). I have always given her a weekely bath, and I don't feel that that's the cause. I thought it might be something in her food that she's allergic to (i.e. chicken or eggs), and we've tried eliminating those things, but I don't think that that's the problem, either. She eats a good, natural kibble and I feed her beef and canned, wild salmon mostly, with vegetables thrown in.
My feeling is that she is reacting from something outdoors or when she is lying out in the grass. Anyhow, I am considering bathing her with a sulfur soap. What is your opinion? I really wish to get rid of this problem once and for all.
Thank you.
Black skin in the armpits with crusts on the belly and a 'cheesy' or musty smell is a classic picture of a yeast (Malassezia) and bacterial skin infection on top of an allergy. German Shepherds are very prone to allergies, especially to things in the environment like pollen, grass and dust mites, which often flare in certain seasons.
Ask your vet for a quick tape or swab test of the skin, which shows yeast and bacteria within minutes. Medicated shampoos with antiseptic and antifungal ingredients, used twice weekly and left on for 10 minutes, usually help a lot. Sulfur products can help some dogs but can be drying and irritating, so check with your vet first.
For long-term control, ask about modern allergy treatments and allergy testing for immunotherapy. A proper food trial with a single new protein or a hydrolyzed diet for 8 weeks is the only reliable way to rule out food allergy. Wiping her belly after she lies in the grass can help too.
See dog skin conditions and black skin in dogs.
This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.
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