Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 10/8/2011

Question
I have an English bulldog who is 8 1/2 yrs old, my husband usually trims her coat in the spring so the summer isn't too harsh on her as she is getting older.  However Her coat has not grown back and we just bathed her and noticed all these black specs coming off of her.  She also has a pink bare spot near her tail, and we do also have two other dogs, (a cockerpoo 6 and a mutt 3 we rescued ) and the cocker poo also has this spot on her back, however now the cockerpoo has developed scabs.  We are worried, since this has never occurred to our dogs and are afraid they may be getting some skin disease ....

Answer
These black specks could be flea droppings or dead skin cells.  The easiest way to tell is to put them on a white paper towel and wet them with water.  If they bleed red, then it is from fleas, if not, then it is skin cells coming off.  If she has bare spots on her skin and she is itchy, you should see your vet for a diagnosis and treatment.