Skin turning dark

[tchkapa]

My maltese is 6 1/2 months old. I got her at 4 1/2 months when all seemed fine. I have noticed over the past month that her skin is starting to turn dark (almost black) in areas and rapidly seems to be covering more and more of her body. It started right after she got spayed by her bottom and initially thought it was a bruise from the surgery. But never went way and noticed parts of her torso turning dark, then by her ears and eyes. Is it normal for Maltese's skin to darken as they get older or is this maybe a sign of an infection or something else? She is very active, good appetite, and doesn't seem to scratch much. Every now and then will rub her body all over the carpet, but not constent.

[I Found Nemo]

:confused: I dont' know if you mean Pigment, but that wouldnt effect the whole body. I would see a vet as soon as possible!
Andrea

[jazzysmom]

I agree with Andrea they can have some black pigment but I am not sure that is what you are describing. Ask the vet.

[Morkie4]

My Kallie has some small black spots due to pigmentation........but if they are increasing in size and quantity, I think I would consult a vet!!!!

[tchkapa]

I will have to take some pictures later tonight and post. She does have spots that are like large freckles on her tummy. But these dark areas are quite large and increasing and quanity.

[Morkie4]

I will have to take some pictures later tonight and post. She does have spots that are like large freckles on her tummy. But these dark areas are quite large and increasing and quanity.

Kallie has freckle like black spots on her tummy and one on her back but they have not changed in size. What you are describing really doesn't sound like pigmentation.......don't know what it is though? Kallie had some serious bruising when she was spayed but it was where the needle was and went away after a week. I really don't know what this could be.........but yes, post some pictures so we can get a better idea of what we are talking about.

[I Found Nemo]

Nemo has like "COW" spots on his tummy like pinkish but nothing like she is describing!
Andrea

[Chloeandj]

Chloe has dark patches on her body and my mom's male is dark all over most of his body. His hair parts down his back and the skin is all dark.
It sounds like she has very good pigment to me.

[I Found Nemo]

Chloe has dark patches on her body and my mom's male is dark all over most of his body. His hair parts down his back and the skin is all dark.
It sounds like she has very good pigment to me.

Really wow I never knew that!! Thanks Jodi, I guess I am the nut:D
Andrea

[dogloverx4]

Dark pigment is VERY desirable.The pigment around the eyes is called a halo and much sought after . Sarah:)

[I Found Nemo]

Dark pigment is VERY desirable.The pigment around the eyes is called a halo and much sought after . Sarah:)

Yes I knew that, but not on the body itself!
Andrea

[tchkapa]

I bet you guys are right with the pigment. This is my first Maltese and this is something i hadn't heard of. Did internet searches for dark/black skin and was getting pings back about skin infections and yeast infections. Of course did a search for pigment after you guys mention it got info about it all over the place. No pictures though to really compare. These aren't the best but may give you an idea: The first one you can see pink to the left, darker area to the right. It is darker than the camera shows and this is her side. The second is of her back and you can see the small spots well (like big freckles) but then two dark larger spots to the right which is more dark brown/black. She also has the dark areas around the base of her tail and getting it around the creases of her ears.

http://filebox.vt.edu/users/emarkle/Molly/IMG_1068%20(2).JPG

http://filebox.vt.edu/users/emarkle/Molly/IMG_1069%20(2).JPG

[Chloeandj]

Look at this link to my gallery, this is my mom's boy. He has the dark pigment down the part in his nose, his back looks just like that as well.
http://www.maltesetalk.com/gallery//showphoto.php?photo=36&cat=500&ppuser=10

[Morkie4]

Look at this link to my gallery, this is my mom's boy. He has the dark pigment down the part in his nose, his back looks just like that as well.
http://www.maltesetalk.com/gallery//showphoto.php?photo=36&cat=500&ppuser=10

What a CUTE picture!!! I see the black........Kallie is so pink on the nose she gets burned easily when we take her out so we wear a hat on her! That is cute cute cute!!!! And you said the part down the top of his back is black too???? I've just never seen that..........cool!:)

[mia's mom]

I bet you guys are right with the pigment. This is my first Maltese and this is something i hadn't heard of. Did internet searches for dark/black skin and was getting pings back about skin infections and yeast infections. Of course did a search for pigment after you guys mention it got info about it all over the place. No pictures though to really compare. These aren't the best but may give you an idea: The first one you can see pink to the left, darker area to the right. It is darker than the camera shows and this is her side. The second is of her back and you can see the small spots well (like big freckles) but then two dark larger spots to the right which is more dark brown/black. She also has the dark areas around the base of her tail and getting it around the creases of her ears.

http://filebox.vt.edu/users/emarkle/Molly/IMG_1068%20(2).JPG

http://filebox.vt.edu/users/emarkle/Molly/IMG_1069%20(2).JPG


The second pictures look like freckles...Both my Maltese & my white bull terrier have freckles. Mia on the belly and 1 on the nose and the bull terrier has it on his belly, his nose, on the trunk of his body (mostly seen when wet). I would check with the vet on the 1st on though.

[I Found Nemo]

Look at this link to my gallery, this is my mom's boy. He has the dark pigment down the part in his nose, his back looks just like that as well.
http://www.maltesetalk.com/gallery//showphoto.php?photo=36&cat=500&ppuser=10

Nemo has black down his nose as well, but his hair is there so you can't see it!
Andrea

[MyTrixie143]

I believe it is the pigment changing. Poptart did the same thing. He skin started turning dark and he does have great pigment. I have heard that if they have dark pigment that it is a good thing and much desired. Also, that they will have a very nice white coat if they have dark pigment. Poptart's mom has very dark pigment and her coat was so white, so it seemed to be true with her and I would say it is with Poptart as well.

[MalteseJane]

Alex has the pigment down his nose too.

[lilybellesmom]

I've been noticing dark patches on LB's stomach as well.

[I Found Nemo]

I've been noticing dark patches on LB's stomach as well.

I think it's just pigment..Nemo's tummy looks more like a cow than a dogs:confused: its all cow spots:p
Andrea

[mia's mom]

So now you guys are having me check Mia. Yes I gave her a bath today and she had two dark big spots on her body. Thank God I knew this was normally since I read it here.:p

[I Found Nemo]

So now you guys are having me check Mia. Yes I gave her a bath today and she had two dark big spots on her body. Thank God I knew this was normally since I read it here.:p

:p At least were good for something..
Andrea:D

[lilybellesmom]

Do you think the sun can cause the spotting?

I've noticed that LB likes to sun. I put ICE on ICE on her everday when I groom her and because it has sunscreen. I think I've read somewhere a while back that the sun may cause it. Is that true?

[I Found Nemo]

Do you think the sun can cause the spotting?

I've noticed that LB likes to sun. I put ICE on ICE on her everday when I groom her and because it has sunscreen. I think I've read somewhere a while back that the sun may cause it. Is that true?

:confused: It could be Laurie, I mean the sun changes the pigment in the nose from black to a lighter color so why not the body also:D I 'm just assuming here, just roll with me...:p .
Andrea

[lilybellesmom]

:confused: It could be Laurie, I mean the sun changes the pigment in the nose from black to a lighter color so why not the body also:D I 'm just assuming here, just roll with me...:p .
Andrea

Rolling wit ya Andrea:D

[I Found Nemo]

Rolling wit ya Andrea:D

:D :p Thanks I could use a good roll:D

[starry]

My malt also has alot of dark spots, like her butt area seems bigger and darker too since her spay.:confused:
Maybe it is showing more since she was shaved or getting older I notice the dark spots on her tummy getting more noticable too.
My dtr's white chi has really thinning hair and lots of spots on her skin. My dtr calls her a miniture dalmation.:p (She's not sick.)
So maybe she's just spotty. Anyway I will be anxious to hear what your vet says. I bet they're just beauty marks.:D

[paris]

Paris has these spots all over her body...some bigger than others.

[kelkiss5]

I bet you guys are right with the pigment. This is my first Maltese and this is something i hadn't heard of. Did internet searches for dark/black skin and was getting pings back about skin infections and yeast infections. Of course did a search for pigment after you guys mention it got info about it all over the place. No pictures though to really compare. These aren't the best but may give you an idea: The first one you can see pink to the left, darker area to the right. It is darker than the camera shows and this is her side. The second is of her back and you can see the small spots well (like big freckles) but then two dark larger spots to the right which is more dark brown/black. She also has the dark areas around the base of her tail and getting it around the creases of her ears.

http://filebox.vt.edu/users/emarkle/Molly/IMG_1068%20(2).JPG

http://filebox.vt.edu/users/emarkle/Molly/IMG_1069%20(2).JPG
Well, what do you no, I cant see the pics. EERRHH. Anyways I dont have a malt so I probably wouldnt be much use to you anyway. LOL

[victoria]

hey i made a thread like this two days ago. I saw my vet today and he said it's normal. They just said he's still young and its just his skin color. He has the black down the part on his nose too. I just thought it was weird because I got him from a pet store and he has no black on him really.