Why are my dog’s ears crusty? A Step-by-Step Guide

My Dog Has Crusty Ears (Or Scabs)

Crusts and sores on the outer ear flaps are common, but they can also be an indication of more serious problems. Dogs with long, floppy ears are more prone to ear infections and trauma.

Find out how to recognize and treat some conditions that lead to ear problems so that your dog will feel better.

Some Causes of Scabs and Crusts on Your Dog’s Ear Flaps

Flystrike

Other parasites (like mange, ear mites)

Allergies (that cause otitis, ear inflammation)

Trauma (bites from other dogs, lacerations)

Frostbite

Trauma secondary to aural hematoma, ear fissures, or ear margin seborrhea

Autoimmune disorder

If you can determine what is causing your dog to have crusty ears, there is a lot to do at home. It is best, however, to make sure you get the right diagnosis from a vet, especially if the condition is persistent.

Poorly cropped ears will probably develop flystrike.

Flystrike, or fly bite dermatitis, usually affects dogs like Siberian Huskies, German Shepherds, Akitas, and other breeds with erect ears. The dog will have sores and dried blood on the tips of the ears.

It should be treated with a compound like Flys-Off that will keep the flies off of animals. (Flys-Off is a good repellent I use to keep the flies from biting the edges of my dogs ears.) Before applying any ointments, clean the ears with soapy water and betadine from your first aid kit, then dab dry with a cotton ball.

Flystrike can be treated at home the same way as it would be treated by your vet. Severe cases might also be treated with a topical antibiotic.

Potential Causes of Ear Dermatitis

There is an underlying issue, condition, or infection that has caused dermatitis to develop. In order to treat the ear dermatitis and make sure your dog’s scabs heal, it is vital to identify the underlying cause of the ear dermatitis. Below are a handful of the most common causes of ear dermatitis in dogs.

Allergies: Many dogs suffer from allergies. These canine allergies can stem from a variety of different stimuli, such as pollen, contact with an object or substance, or even food allergies in dogs. Allergies can present with many different symptoms, but often include intense scratching on the body and ears, which can lead to scabbing. If allergies are the underlying condition, your veterinarian will work to identify what your dog is allergic to. To provide immediate relief, your veterinarian will likely treat the allergic reaction with an antihistamine injection.

Injury: Your dog can also develop scabs on his ears due to injury, such as in the form of burns, lacerations, or bites from another animal. The treatment of the injury will be dependent on what type of injury occurred, as a veterinarian will take a different approach to treat a burn than a bite. Often, treatment of an injury will require antibiotics in combination with other various treatments.

Mange: Did you know that there are two different types of mange in dogs? They are called canine sarcoptic mange and demodectic mange in dogs. Both types of mange are extremely contagious and require that you keep your pup away from other pets and animals so they don’t contaminate and spread to other animals. In addition, both types of mange can produce hair loss, redness, swelling, and severe itchiness. When your dog is extremely itchy, he may try to excessively itch their ears, which can cause scabbing to occur. There are a number of potential treatments a veterinarian may suggest based on the type of severity of the mange.

Cellulitis: Cellulitis is a type of skin infection that often affects puppies between one and four months old. Cellulitis can cause pus-filled bumps on a dog’s skin, which can result in itchiness. Cellulitis is often treated with antibiotics to resolve the infection.

Seborrhea: Seborrhea presents with dry, scaly skin that is generally brought on by cold weather. It is a lifetime disorder that often requires treatment with mild soap, water, and moisturizer to help abate the symptoms.

If your dog has developed scabs on his ears, it is important to take him to see a licensed veterinarian so he can be properly assessed. A veterinarian will be able to run the tests necessary to determine the underlying cause of the scabs and prescribe the appropriate treatment plan to make sure your furry friend is back to being scab-free in no time at all.

Dexter’s Crusty Ears, and what to do about it ‍♂️ ‍♂️

Dry dog ears can result in itching, scaly patches of skin, and even infection if left untreated. Dry ears are simple to solve, but it’s important to address any underlying issues as well. Our Skin Soother balm is an effective, all-natural solution to dry dog ears!