In the United States, a black dog turned white in 2 years due to "Michael Jackson's disease". Photo

Buster, a sweet 4-year-old puppy from Oklahoma, USA, had discolored fur due to a rare disease. It turned out that the dog has vitiligo, a dermatosis that causes white spots of depigmentation on the body (or fur). The disease affects both humans and animals.

Fortunately, vitiligo in pets is painless, and there are no signs that the dog is experiencing any discomfort. This was reported by The Sun.

Similar spots had been appearing on Buster's body for two and a half years. His owner, Matt Smith, confused Reddit users after he shared his dog's incredible transformation online.

One of the pictures shows a dog with black spiky fur. Others show the dog's transformation. Shocked users responded to the photos, with some comparing Buster to the King of Pop, Michael Jackson.

Matt first noticed white patches near the animal's mouth and chin, which later spread to his face and body. "There was a point where he was balding in some areas until his fresh fluffy white fur grew back," Smith said.

According to Petmd.com, dogs with vitiligo may lose their natural skin and coat pigmentation. The disease usually starts on the face, especially on the nose, and progresses to the pads of the feet and other parts of the body before painless patches of white skin and fur appear.

Although the exact origin of vitiligo in pets is unknown, most cases are genetic, with certain breeds more susceptible than others. These include Rottweilers, Dachshunds, Siberian Huskies, German Shepherds, Dobermans, Belgian Terriers, Golden Retrievers, Yellow Labradors, Old English Shepherds, and German Shorthair Pointers.

However, an autoimmune disease can be the underlying cause of the syndrome, causing the immune system to attack melanocytes because it thinks they are foreign. It is recommended that pet owners bring their pets to the veterinarian.

One of the most famous examples of the fight against vitiligo among people was the singer Michael Jackson. In the 90s of the last century, the star even underwent skin-lightening surgery. At the time, the press accused the performer of being ashamed of his origins, which was later denied by the king of pop himself. "Look, I don't bleach my skin on purpose, I have a serious skin disease. I can't control the color change of my body," he commented.

It's worth noting that although vitiligo affects people of all ethnicities, the disease is more noticeable in black people. Vitiligo can occur in any person of any age: some areas of the skin lose pigment and become very light. This is because the skin does not produce enough melanin.

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