Blackhead-Like Pores on Dog’s Chest & Armpit Area

by | May 10, 2019 | Ask A Vet, Skin Issues | 0 comments

by Loi Wei Ling
(Singapore)

Chest and right armpit

Chest and right armpit

Xuan Xuan's condition was rather manageable for the past months. About one month ago, I started her on transfer factor for canine in addition to all her existing supplements. I noticed a few things which I do not know whether are linked to that.

1. She stopped having flaky dandruff that used to cover the sofa and floor. It was very obvious as my sofa no longer needs vacuum every few days.

2. These few weeks, she has this blackhead like thing on her pores on her entire side and her armpit area. It can be squeeze out though it goes deep inside the pores. There are also dirt like sticky small dots that can be scratched away. When I bathe her, I tried to scrub away the "blackheads". Some bigger ones and the dirt like spots goes away. But after a week, it seems to appear again.

Other than that, her energy level has been relatively high and seems to be playing happily everyday.

By the way, I have another rescue mongrel puppy in the house who is having rickets due to malnutrition at birth. The puppy is on crate rest and I put the puppy under direct sunlight for half an hour every day. As a result, Xuan Xuan also goes under the sun more than usual this month. Does it affect her skin as well?

Please advise if the blackhead looking thing needs immediate medical attention. She doesn't seems to be affected by it.

Comments for Blackhead-Like Pores on Dog's Chest & Armpit Area

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Aug 13, 2013My Online Vet Response For: Blackhead-Like Pores on Dog's Chest & Armpit Area
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Wei Ling,
August 12, 2013

From the photos you have sent of her skin, the ‘blackheads’, are not a serious medical condition. It is caused by an accumulation of oil in her ‘pores’. In dogs, this oil is produced by the sebaceous glands that open into each hair follicle. This provides a shine to the hair coat. But if the oil glands produce oil that is TOO thick or TOO much, it will clog the pore opening, this is exposed to air, then becomes oxidized and turns black.

Naturally, with so much oil, she would NOT have dry flaky skin with dandruff! I am not sure if the Transfer Factor is responsible for this excess oil production or not. It may just be the natural course of her healing process. From excessive REDNESS and SWELLING, (as in severe sunburn), to decreased swelling and less redness, causing dry, flaky skin, (as skin peels in a human after a sunburn).

In April, you wrote, “April 12, 2013, Sulphur 1M given about 3 weeks ago, caused mild aggravation in itching, which is now subsiding.”

And now in August, she is producing oil, which has improved the dryness of her skin, but is resulting in blackheads. She may need to have a repeat of the Sulphur 1M.

Please continue to shampoo her weekly, and gently squeeze out the blackheads when you bathe her, without causing any irritation to her skin. Hopefully, the Sulphur 1M will help accelerate her healing, and result in normal skin!

Sunlight will not cause the blackheads. Although, she could get sunburned if exposed to direct sunlight too long between the hours of NOON to 2 PM.

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the 'click here to add your own comments' link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman


DISCLAIMER: The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

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