My senior dog has black scabs on his skin. Is it a skin condition?

Question

Hello my dog has devolved these black almost scab looking things on his skin and it’s also embedded in his fur. We noticed the first one a few months ago and thought it was just a scab but it hasn’t left. Now there are couple different spots on his back as shown in the picture. It bothers him when I touch it. How do I make these spots go away? Should I take him to see the vet? He’s about 12 years old so I don’t know if he is developing a skin condition. Thank you for your help! Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Male | neutered | 15 lbs

Dr. Elizabeth · Accepted Answer

Poor Poppy! Dogs can develop skin conditions at any age. In older dogs things such as endocrine diseases and food allergies are more common. If you notice the lesions are getting worse, then I would recommend to have him seen by his veterinarian. The doctor will take a look at him and get a thorough history and may recommend some blood tests if an underlying cause is suspected. The doctor will also recommend treatment for the lesions. At home, washing the lesions in an antibacterial hand soap and rinsing them well once a day can help to exfoliate and cleanse the skin. You can apply a dab of coconut oil and rub it in well once the skin is dry. You need to make sure however that he does not lick the coconut oil. This may help but if there is an underlying cause, the lesions will simply come back. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions!

My senior dog has black scabs on his skin. Is it a skin condition?

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