You should seek the advice of your veterinarian if your pet is ill as only he or she can correctly advise on the diagnosis and recommend the treatment that is most appropriate for your pet.

Thickening of the skin under the front legs with black pigmentation occurs from time to time - but what causes it ?

Thickening of the skin high up between the front leg and the chest wall (an area called the axilla) with black pigmentation is called "acanthosis nigrans". Hair is lost and it looks very unsightly, and in some cases it will spread to involve other parts of the body. 

There are several possible causes :

• An allergy - eg contact allergy - that is a reaction to something in the environment such as carpet material
• Obesity - causing friction between the leg and the chest wall
• Poor conformation causing friction between the leg and the chest wall
• Hormonal disorders
• Genetic factors (in Dachshunds) - usually occurs before 1 year of age,.

Any underlying cause should be treated, but in those cases in which there is no primary cause the disease may be controlled but not cured by treating with one or more of the following drugs :

• Melatonin - a hormone
• Corticosteroids
• Vitamin E

Last updated : September 2013