skin problem - black dandruff?

[surferk]

My dog - a 2 yr old wheaten terrier mix - has some skin problems. My vet thinks it's allergies. So do I. I'm taking him to the dermatologist soon (he has to go to a behaviorist first to deal with his fear-aggression!). In the meantime, his skin pigmentation has turned black on most of his body and he has what looks like black dandruff. My vet isn't sure what it is. My dog is healthy except for the skin thing. Has anyone experienced this before? It's not the mange, he's been tested.

Thanks!

[DoggyMom]

The only thing that comes to mind when I read "black dandruff" was fleas and flea feces which tend to look like black dandruff flakes. Although I am certain if you took the dog to the vet, this isn't the case. My dog Lily had a problem with fleas and the flea feces, but nothing that turned the skin a different color. I looked on the web and in my dog care books, and yet I found nothing. Maybe you could try another vet for a second opinion? Hope everything works out okay :(

[tftmom]

Hi, I used to groom professionally. The last 12 years in a veterinary office. I used to see a lot of Miniature Schnauzers with oily coats and black flakes. The vet had me use Oxydex shampoo which removed the flakes and oil. This product is primarily available through veterinarians but you can probably find it over the internet.