Dapper-Dan, is it possible that she may have a skin allergy or infection? I ask this as our old girl has allergies and her skin goes black during a flare up. Our vet said it was called 'elephant skin' and was likely to stay like that for the rest of her life but I have noticed that it has improved after using Aloe Vera Gel (from Holland and Barrett) and E45 cream (not the itch relief version) on the flaky weepy areas. I would let the vet check her and see if it would be ok to give the aloe vera a go.