discoloration after grooming

Question
I recently had my tan colored poodle groomed again and upon her hair growing out I've noticed the hair under her tail is now dark brown.  At first, we thought it was poop stuck to her fur or maybe she was bleeding from the rectum but after cleaning her we saw that it was discoloration of her fur.  Everyone that sees her out for a walk thinks the same thing.  What could be causing that all of a sudden and what can we do?

Answer
Hello Patti,
There can be a number of things that can cause a discoloration to the hair.  It can be caused by staining due to anal expression, it can also be from the dog licking or chewing in that area, medication or even chemicals in the water if she drinks tap water.  Do you notice any other discoloration on her hair, such as around her eyes, mouth or feet?  
Also, if there has ever been an injury where the discolorlation is this could cause a change in the hair color.  An injury that damages the hair follicles causes them to "reboot" so to speak, and the hair starts to grow back in the color that the dog was as a puppy.  It then has to gradually change to the color that the dog is at present.  It is for instance why a Silver dog can get an injury and the hair grow back in Black.  Silver puppies are born Black.  The hair then has to take as long to turn Silver as it did for the dog to turn Silver orignally; which is usually 8 months to a year or more.  

See if you can't scissor the discolored hair in that area short and see if it continues to grow out in the brown color.  If it IS something in her system, that should give it time to get out of her system.  If it is due to an injury, it will continue to be a brown color, but maybe a bit lighter.  If you think it could be due to chemicals (which are likely found in her water per what your city uses in their water system), try giving her Bottled water or at least Filtered water to drink and see if this helps some.  

I have seen this in Apricot or Cream colored dogs before and with my expirence, it is usuallly due to them licking this area.  Chemicals in their saliva mix with the hair and actually stain the hair the darker color.  

Try these suggestions and if I can help further with this, or if you have other Poodle questions in general, please feel free to ask.

Thanks for using AllExperts.com,
Kim