Skip to content

Fur on the edge of his ear is coming off (and some dry skin)…

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • Our pup Ernest has had some dry skin issues in the past. We've started giving him 1 capsule's worth of fish oil daily which seems to have curbed his "dandruff" issue, but recently I noticed some very dry skin inside his ears. That peeled (like after a sun burn) but now the fur along the edge of his ear is coming out a little bit.

    Anyone have ideas for causes and/or remedies?
    attachment_t_16326_0_img_4805.jpg
    attachment_t_16326_1_img_4806.jpg
    attachment_t_16326_2_img_4807.jpg
    attachment_t_16326_3_img_4808.jpg

  • Is he outside a lot? Flies can cause problems at the tips of the ears. Dry skin could be diet.

  • He's not outside a ton as he goes to daycare most days. We're also in NYC where nature isn't terribly invasive.

    I posted on two facebook groups I follow as well and the answers have ranged from "winter ear" which seems like no big deal to vasculitis which (if you believe the hype) will soon have his skin falling off, zombie-style.

    We'll probably swing by the vet this week to be sure, but I've been rubbing some vitamin E oil on his ears for the last 36 hours and it's already looking better.

  • Are any other dogs at his daycare showing similar problems? Could he have picked something up from another dog? Also, there are lots of possible allergens that could affect him seasonally. The vet will hopefully have some answers.

  • This is just a case of "winter ear".
    Sometimes it's caused by being inside all winter long with low humidity
    in other words a too warm house.
    A warm bath and some baby oil on the tips usually clears it up.

  • Since the edges of the ears is often the starting place for mange, I would definitely let a vet scrape and make sure.

  • A waste of good money.
    I have had 39 years with basenjis,my guess is that in that 39 years I have seen this
    MANY times. Never is it mange.

  • Just a thought on assuming your experiences are the only one, I have never had a dog in my 58 years of life with "winter ear", but I am intelligent enough not to assume that means that isn't it. And I also don't consider finding out what is wrong with your pet to be a "waste of money."

    Doing rescue, I have seen mange more times than I care to remember. But scraping can reveal other issues also. So if it clears up, fine. If it seems to be taking too long or not totally healing, more than worth the money.

    But let's let vets give you the list of causes:
    http://www.merckvetmanual.com/pethealth/dog_disorders_and_diseases/ear_disorders_of_dogs/disorders_of_the_outer_ear_in_dogs.html

Suggested Topics

  • Dry, flaky skin

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    17
    0 Votes
    17 Posts
    5k Views
    D
    @prasadvaze There are wipes which you can use instead of baths, I imagine most of them neutralize odors and have a fresh scent. Perhaps try those? Mine have always had no detectable smell except after I bath them, then they smell “doggy” for a day or so. Here are a couple of ones I looked up but I have never tried any. https://www.chewy.com/natures-miracle-spring-waters/dp/108468 https://www.chewy.com/tropiclean-deep-cleaning-deodorizing/dp/128836 What kind of smell / odor?
  • Skin Issues?????

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    36
    0 Votes
    36 Posts
    21k Views
    D
    I was only recommending a shampoo to use in the future, not one that would clear up any skin problems. If the dog has allergies, she needs to be careful about what kind of general shampoo to use. Jennifer
  • Fur Loss

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    10
    0 Votes
    10 Posts
    3k Views
    eeeefarmE
    @krunzer: does the skin look dark and dirty? it may be demodectic mange. If it is, the location is unusual.
  • Dry Skin?

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    33
    0 Votes
    33 Posts
    11k Views
    tanzaT
    @FortheLoveofStella: Stella has very short hair, and she is flaky a lot (in more ways than one!!) Do you need a prescription for the omega3 or fish oil? Or can you just the human equivalent at cvs? Human equivalent is fine to use
  • Ear Rash. Dog Ear Vasculitis

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    6
    1 Votes
    6 Posts
    7k Views
    elbrantE
    @obi1 said in Ear Rash. Dog Ear Vasculitis: Do you know of better ear muffs? Obi, I saw a funny looking knitted cap that might fit over Basenji sized ears on etsy.com. I think it would help prevent the ear edges and tips from becoming frostbitten. The shop seems to focus on Cats, but the owner appears to be willing to do special orders. Worth a try....
  • Those Basenji ears?!?

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    8
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    3k Views
    BarklessdogB
    Our red girl dog has the same problem. Freaks out when you touch her ears with a swab, but loves the inside of her ears rubbed when petting her. You know the two handed ear & cheek rub. That gave me an idea!. I found some real soft white - tight gardening gloves (unused), gave her an ear massage and cleaned her ears out. it worked well. I was extra careful not to push the dirt down her ears, but did kind of a wiping motion out and away from her inner ears. She loved it!