Why is my Dog’s Skin Discolored?
I have a little white Jack Russell mix, he has
rust colored places under his eyes and under his
front legs. We’ve tried cleaning them with soap
and water, vinegar, and shampoo and nothing has
worked. I was wondering what ccauses this and how
to get rid of it.
Ashley
Fredericksburg, VA
White dogs and cats frequently develop discolored areas of hair. These color changes occur when bodily secretions such as tears or saliva regularly contact the hair.
Tears and saliva may look colorless, but they are not. They contain small amounts of pigments (called porphyrins) that turn the hair brown or red.
These stains can be very hard to eliminate. Many products are marketed to to remove the stains, but in my experience none of them is particularly effective.
Fortunately, the discoloration itself generally is harmless. However, the discoloration may be a symptom of an underlying problem. For instance, if discoloration has occurred because your dog is excessively licking an area, you should have your vet examine the area to see if something is wrong.
You have questions. 
I would like to add that there is a product that does work to get rid of reddish-brown tear stains. It’s called Angel Eyes, and within 5 or so weeks of adding this to my boston terrier’s food everyday, no more stains! The whites of his coat also became whiter. Angel Eyes is the only thing that works. I have tried various topical products (solutions, wipes etc) … none of them work.
I wouldn’t recommend Angel Eyes, that’s tantamount to giving a daily antibiotic for the rest of their lives, which will contribute to antibiotic resistance and immunosuppression if the animal ever gets sick. The main active ingredient is ‘tylosin as tartrate’.
Tylosin tartrate is a macrolide antibiotic approved for the control of mycoplasmosis (a blood parasite) in poultry!!! Google the main ingredient in Angel Eyes ‘tylosin as tartrate’
The thing that works best for us is adding POWDERED BUTTERMILK (found in the baking aisle of the grocery store) to the dog’s food every day, it works but I don’t know why. maybe it changes the internal pH somehow. The buttermilk tip was suggested to me by a friend who shows bichons and west highland white terriers. She said it was some sort of show dog secret. Whatever, as long as it works. The other things that help are using filtered or spring water and natural foods, the less preservatives and artificial ingredients the better. The buttermilk powder won’t solve the problem completely, but it WILL help.
I use angel eyes on my shih tzu, it does work. I have had numerous people use it and get rid of the stain, once the stain is gone and the fur/hair is trimmed, they have not had to use the angel eyes ever again. They have only used it for 3 months then stopped completely. I have been using it for about 2 months now and wow what a difference.
I will say this though, you have to change the diet to a food that contains no dyes or beet pulp, and if you have a long haired dog, switch them to a water bottle prior or at the same time as starting angel eyes.
I have tried everything else under the sun. Just the diet change alone didnt help. Other products that you wipe on and dry, they dont work either.
I was using Angel Eyes on my Tzu mix as well until my vet told me that it contained antibiotics and if Daisy ever got sick and needed antibiotics they may not work if she is still on the Angel Eyes.
I’ve switched her food numerous times and keep the hair around her eyes short and it helps a lot.
I was aware of Angel Eyes being an antibiotic – I stopped giving this to my dog after 2-3 months when the stains had gone. Hopefully it’s no longer in his system.
ST – that’s interesting about powdered buttermilk. How much do you add to food and for how long do you have to do this?
Interesting article for “white-coat” dog (or cat) owners !
hi, I have an 18mths old Schnauzer and his fur in his groin area and his back legs has turned reddish brown in colour. he is biting at it all the time and so far hasnt broken the skin. He has been at the vets several times and we are no further forward as to what it might be. Can anyone help as it drives me mad his biting and itching, so it must be driving him insane
I have noticed that the skin around my English lab’s anus is turning black…should I be concerned – Does this signify cancer?