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Dry, Dark Bald Patches on a Young Boxer Mix's Face

by A reader


Reader Question
My dog is 7 months old and has these dry black patches located on her face one just above her nose and two on each side of her face just at the jaw line. she does not scratch them and they do not seem to bother her. The hair does not seem to be oily, there is no raw spots and her hair is not falling out its just not growing where the spots are located at. the seems to be dry to the touch. I want sure if it was something like dermatitits. She is a 3/4 boxer and a 1/4 pit. I have noticed her to be allergic to bee stings, and she has also been noted to have what it looks like a dermititis like rash around one of her front paws but has cleared up with olive oil


Answer from Our Team

Small dry, dark patches where hair isn't growing on the face of a young dog are often localized demodectic mange, which is very common in puppies, especially boxers and pit bulls. It usually doesn't itch and often clears as the immune system matures. Ringworm and a contact reaction (for example, to plastic bowls) are other possibilities.

A quick skin scraping and fungal test by your vet tells you which it is. Localized demodex often needs no treatment or a short course, and isn't contagious to people or other dogs.

See your vet sooner if the patches spread, crust, become red or itchy, or new ones keep appearing.

See demodectic mange.

This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.

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