# A health question and some spam I was messing around with the camera today and got some cute shots of the puts. In one of the shots, an issue that Lucy has been having for the last week or so became apparent. The hair on her ears is crusty and falling off. :-( Here's a shot of it. Notice on her left ear on the ridge there's a dar… ## Thread In Health · started by _dlroberts · 31 replies - **Category:** [Health](https://nihonken.org/community/c/health) - **Forum:** [Nihon Ken Forum](https://nihonken.org/community/) ## _dlroberts · 2009-04-12T15:01:45.000Z I was messing around with the camera today and got some cute shots of the puts. In one of the shots, an issue that Lucy has been having for the last week or so became apparent. The hair on her ears is crusty and falling off. :-( Here's a shot of it. Notice on her left ear on the ridge there's a dark area with no hair? She has that on both ears and it's starting to concern me. I'm going to call the vet tomorrow but I thought I'd solicit input anyway. Here are a few other pics: ## sunyata · 2009-04-12T18:42:45.000Z Hmm. Not sure what is up with the ear, unless maybe a sunburn? Hopefully someone else will have a better idea. Let us know what the vet says, though. And as always, your pups are beautiful. They both seem to be enjoying their chews! Lucy seems to enjoy guarding it rather than chewing it, though! ## Leonberger (admin) · 2009-04-12T20:28:35.000Z No idea, Dave, but I am curious about it. Keep us updated on what the vet tells you. The kids are looking good! ## sujewel · 2009-04-12T20:47:30.000Z Earmites? Jewel has a serious earmite problem that should transfer from pet to pet, but hers are different and never transfer. Or, she's been misdiagnosed. At any rate, her earmites do tend to drift out of the inner ear and are basically black/purpleish goobs and specs. Not crusty in the inner ear, but a bit crusty on the outer ear. ## Sangmort (moderator) · 2009-04-12T21:12:58.000Z Stunning photos Dave! Is it just on her ears or other parts of her body as well? Is she getting enough supplements for her coat? [ ex; omega fish oil ] Just some possible thoughts for you. It could also be the food she's on, I know it's not exactly the food you want her to be on but it's been dealing with her other issues, maybe it's a possible side effect? ~ ## _dlroberts · 2009-04-12T21:34:32.000Z Good call Barbara. I just did some reading on ear mites and I'm pretty sure that isn't it, but that's the closest that I've come up with so far. Lucy doesn't get any supplements at the moment. It's in the long term plans, but she needs to be off steroids and stable first. If we start the supplements and then take her off steroids and she has problems we won't know which of the various things she is on caused the problem. In any case, I don't think supplements are the issue since the rest of her coat is actually looking as good as it ever has right now. Good thought though! ## sujewel · 2009-04-12T21:38:58.000Z Hmm. I just did a search for crusty ears in dogs. I know, crazy. But I did find a small mention of a yeast infection on dogster. ## tsukitsune (moderator) · 2009-04-12T22:39:52.000Z great pics, Dave! They are a great pair of shibas! No idea about the ear thing.. my mom's dog has had something similar all her life, and after effect of mites I believe, but it looks a little different than that. Could it be an effect of the long term steroid use?? Also, speaking of mange in the other thread, Demodex mange causes hair loss and darkening of the skin and isn't passed from dog to dog like sarcoptic mange, nor does the dog usually itch at it. Its probably not it at all, just from my recent reading, it might be worth looking into: http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body\_demodectic\_mange.html ## _dlroberts · 2009-04-12T22:46:00.000Z Yeah, both mange and a steroid side effect are distinct concerns. :-( I suppose I shouldn't jump the gun. I'll just have to wait to see what the vet says tomorrow. ## lindsayt · 2009-04-13T03:23:12.000Z That could be a possible steroid effect. The same thing happened with a cat we had on prednisone for years. The ear leather became dark and hairless and she developed hairloss on her tummy also. Hope it resolves once she is off the roids. Wonderful pictures. ## okiron · 2009-04-13T03:29:08.000Z Do you think you could get a pic of inside the ear? ETA: Great pics btw, Joey looks so grown up now and Lucy looks sweet as ever. ## _dlroberts · 2009-04-13T10:31:57.000Z Thanks again for the suggestions. Lucy has been on some form/dose of steroids for about 11 months now. If indeed it is a steroid side effect, I'd mostly be surprised it has taken this long. Luckily for her, she has continue to do really well on her half-dose so we may be able to go to the next step of her taper. @Rina: I tried to get a shot of the inside of her ear, but none of them came out. My camera either didn't focus properly or I got a shot of her ear fuzz. I assume you want to look for mites? ## sujewel · 2009-04-13T10:41:20.000Z Here's a little snippet on Yeast Infections. Yeast infections are especially itchy, crusty, and smelly. Often a dog starts with a rash or with simple itching but the skin thickens to an “elephant” skin appearance. The itch is extreme and the odor can be especially troublesome. Parts of the body or the entire body can be affected. Mostly dogs are affected but cats can get yeast infections as well. http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body\_yeast\_infection\_of\_the\_skin.html ## okiron · 2009-04-13T10:51:49.000Z Yup you assumed right lol. Yeah, I could imagine it'll be a bit hard to take a clear picture of that. Thanks for trying though. ## brandon_w (admin) · 2009-04-13T11:04:36.000Z Great shots Dave. I hope Lucy's ear issue is nothing big. ## _dlroberts · 2009-04-13T12:02:49.000Z Just spoke with the vet. She agreed with all four of the leading candidates ear mites, yeast infection, mange, or steroid side effect, but also agreed mange and steroid side effect are the most likely. Lucy is going in this afternoon for a checkup and to be tested. Keep your fingers crossed for her! ## KFontaine04 · 2009-04-13T12:05:19.000Z Good Luck Miss Lucy! Fingers, Toes and Paws crossed for you! ## okiron · 2009-04-13T12:13:05.000Z My eyes are crossed too :D ## ljowen123 (moderator) · 2009-04-13T13:11:02.000Z Good luck! ## _dlroberts · 2009-04-13T21:06:58.000Z Just got back from the vet. The good news is it isn't mites, a yeast infection, or mange. So by process of elimination it is probably a steroid side effect. The bad news is all of the skin on her ears is mostly dead already so she's probably going to loose all of the hair on her ears in the next few weeks. When they went to do the skin scraping a huge chunk of skin/hair just flaked off. Her vet and internal medicine specialist are going to be coordinating on what tests should be run to screen for other side effects. Let's hope that bald ears are the extent of it. ## StaticNfuzz · 2009-04-13T21:15:43.000Z Ahttps://www....poor girl. Did they say it could change back with different meds? I have seen some with high allergy/immuno probs grow it back once things were changed, but I don't know if that is the case with every circumstance. Wishing the best for Lucy... I am so glad you have specialists working together. Snf ## _dlroberts · 2009-04-13T21:22:55.000Z Yes. Thankfully for her, her vet thinks it will likely grow back if she ever comes off the steroids completely. It will probably take a few months though. Even if it doesn't, she'll still be a beautiful dog to me. :-) ## Sangmort (moderator) · 2009-04-13T21:41:10.000Z Poor babe...hopefully everything will work out in time <3 & no matter what Dave, she's still a pretty, foxy looking girl! :) ~ ## JKL · 2009-04-14T06:22:32.000Z Aww... At least they figured out what it was. I can relate as my boy just got done with a yeast infection, and that was no fun at all for either one of us. ## Leonberger (admin) · 2009-04-14T08:30:54.000Z Poor Lucy, she can't catch a break. At least you know what it is. She won't be a beautiful dog just for you, Dave. She's a beautiful dog no matter what. ## sujewel · 2009-04-14T10:16:57.000Z Poor Lucy Bear. I think she's a beauty too and can't wait to see her again. ## KFontaine04 · 2009-04-14T11:14:40.000Z Awww, heal well Lucy! Everyone is right Dave, Lucy is beautiful no matter what. She has such amazing eyes. ## ljowen123 (moderator) · 2009-04-14T11:37:39.000Z Hate to hear this, but Luce is gorgeous with or without fur on her ears. ## sunyata · 2009-04-14T12:06:11.000Z Hopefully things will get back to normal once she is taken off the steroids completely. But if not, I agree with everyone else... She is beautiful no matter what. I just hope her little ears do not get cold! ## KFontaine04 · 2009-04-14T12:09:54.000Z Lucy will need ear muffs! --- **Navigate:** [Forum home](https://nihonken.org/community/?format=md) · [Sitemap](https://nihonken.org/community/sitemap.xml)