Dog has discoloration around genital area, getting concerned?

Please read whole question before answering, thanks.

He has a vet appointment Thursday, but I am very confused as I have never seen or heard of anything like this. My Shiba Inu's lower abdominal area and genital area, including penis is always a light pink color...it is now a dark gray color, it looks as if he rolled around in ashes or something (which he has not because he doesn't get into anything). He's strictly an indoor dog and doesn't get muddy (so please don't tell me "he's just dirty"). He has been licking around his anal area as well, which I know could be an anal gland issue, but in relation to the skin discoloration, could it be related?

Also, if it helps, he was sick about 2 weeks ago because he had gotten into some chocolate and had bad diarrhea for about 5 days, took him to the vet, got Flagyl which cleared everything up and he's now back to acting himself.

It's actually disturbing looking, almost like a huge bruise, but he is acting 100% normal. The area doesn't seem tender/sensitive/painful at all as he allowed me to check it out and stuff. He's alert, playing, eating, drinking, solid stools, peeing normal - no sign of pain or illness at all (besides the occasion licking of the behind).

So all in all his light pink skin in his abdominal/genital area has turned an ashy grey and definitely doesn't look normal. WHAT COULD IT BE!? Thank you.

2011-06-07T22:19:11Z

I read up on some information and it looks to be a yeast infection. One main cause of a yeast infection is antibiotics (he was on Flagyl for 5 days about a week ago). Symptoms can be black/grey discoloration of the skin, as well as anal/other skin irritation. So I am almost 100% sure it's a yeast infection, and I'm sure that's what we'll find out at the vet. Looks like I answered my own question, oh well.

Hazel862011-06-07T22:20:37Z

Favorite Answer

could be a yeast/staph infection....your vet will be able to confirm this....good luck

?2016-10-28T21:53:27Z

Genital Skin Discoloration

Anonymous2016-03-19T12:15:11Z

I agree with the peroxide on a cotton ball or you could clip the hair that is already stained. And to prevent further staining, you can always try giving her distilled water to drink. The discoloration can be caused by some of the chrmicals in tap water. I work at a vet and we have several clients with white dogs who swear by changing the water. Their dog's dont get the stained eyes....

ChiMom2011-06-07T22:01:26Z

How old is he?
I know, with my chihuahua-mix, his pink skin color (tummy/genital area) did change color as he got older--I think it was around age 4 or so. There was nothing wrong, causing this--the vet said it was normal!
You wrote he has a vet appointment this week? I would just bring it up to the vet and ask.
Best wishes to you both!

Anonymous2011-06-07T22:00:37Z

get it to the vet now this is serious i have seen this before but do not remember the name of it