Vitiligo is a condition in which pigment is lost from the skin and hair of the nose, lips, face, and eyelids. Black pigment is present early in life in affected dogs, but it gradually fades to a chocolate brown or even to white. There do not appear to be health problems related to the loss of pigment. Rottweilers are one of the breeds in which this problem is seen.
The exact cause of vitiligo in dogs has not yet been determined, but it is believed it may have a genetic predisposition and/or be an autoimmune problem.
Treatment: There is no definitive treatment, though omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants such as vitamin C may help with this problem.