What is this black dirt-like spot on my dog's inner thigh?

Thanks for using Boop by Petco! It is hard to know for sure based on these pictures though this is likely a normal pigmentation change. If it is not associated with itchiness or discomfort, there is no need to be concerned about this. If you ever notice any discomfort or itchiness, have him evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Good luck and have a great day!

Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! Thanks for the pictures. Actually the black spot on him are not fleas. Female fleas lay their eggs on the carpet and the larvae when they hatch stay on the carpet eating debris. Once they become adults they jump on the pet. What you are seeing are comedones, which are like black heads in people. Causes can be from cushings's disease or low thyroid (hormonal causes) or a skin infection. I would bathe him in a follicular flushing medicated shampoo. If the area doesn't improve then I would take her in to your Vet. https://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=21564 I wish you all the best!

Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! The areas are unrelated to the ticks. It could be from licking or comedones, which are clogged hair follicles. Comedones can form due to allergies, demodex, bacterial skin infection or endocrine disorders. You can try a follicular flushing shampoo that contains benzoyl peroxide, example in link. Bathe twice weekly and allow the lather to sit for 10 minutes before rinsing. If she is licking and bathing doesn’t help have her seen by your vet. Good luck! https://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=21564

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Boop by Petco. It could definitely be a small bug bite, or even a pimple or an ingrown hair, although it doesn’t look very inflamed. Since he was recently groomed, he could have gotten knicked by the clippers in that area, making it slightly reddened. As long as he doesn’t seem bothered by it and it isn’t painful to the touch, and he is otherwise healthy, I don’t think he needs to go to the vet right now. I would recommend monitoring the spot to see if it changes in appearance at all (color, size) or if more spots appear anywhere on his body. If this occurs, Cash may need to be evaluated by a veterinarian who can examine the spot more closely and determine if it has become infected. I hope this helps!

The rust color to Max’s hair in this area is saliva staining from licking. This could still be happening from the grooming, or could be some other source of itching such as fleas, allergies, skin infection, etc. Make sure Max is on a good monthly flea preventative! The dark spots could be clogged hair follicles or flea “dirt” (aka flea poop). You can try a cleansing shampoo that will help to clear the follicles (like this one https://m.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=21564 ). If Max is still licking or additional skin things pop up in the next few days, he should be examined by a vet for a diagnosis so he can get appropriate treatment.

Hello. Definitely not from fleas. These are probably comedomes, or essentially black heads from some chronic irritation. It is nothing to really worry about, but you can clean the area a couple of times daily with an antibacterial skin cleanser like Hibicles ( available at all pharmacies ). Clean gently & do not scrub & the area should lighten over the next couple of weeks. Thanks for using Boop by Petco.

Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! It is hard to see the skin in your pictures but it looks like a rash or comedones. If the reddish black things on her skin flakes off or are loose, wet them on a white tissue. If they melt away to a red streak that is flea poop. Flea dips and shampoos are NOT preventatives for fleas and the fleas that hatch on the carpet will jump right back on the pet. Fleas do not lay eggs on the pet but on the carpet. Bed bugs do not live on animals. I recommend a flea preventative like oral Nexgard, Simparica, Bravecto or topical Advantix ii or the Seresto collar. If there are no live fleas or flea dirt then she likely has a secondary skin infection or rash from an allergic reaction the the fleas. I would have her seen by your Vet so she can be provided relief. Also it looks like she has a paw infection which could be from environmental or food allergies. Good luck!

That area could be an area of healing bacterial infection. However it could also be related to ringworm or mites. It's likely that the area is in the healing process so I suspect it will be completely resolved in a few days. However, if it doesn't resolve or the area starts to grow larger or becomes itchy Max should he examined by a veterinarian. Thanks for using Boop by Petco!

Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This is possibly due to allergies. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing her allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. A secondary infection is likely and also needs to be addressed. There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be the issue then you are left out having to check for envir

Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! Poor Titian! The dark thickening of the skin indicates chronic skin disease. It can be from a bacterial or yeast skin infection, demodex (non-contagious skin mite), scabies (infectious skin mite) or even ring worm. I would highly recommend having Titan seen by your Vet next week for an exam. They can do a quick cytology of the surface of the skin to check for bacteria and or yeast and also do a skin scraping to look for mites. Regardless of the cause Titan is obviously uncomfortable. I wish Titan the best!