What is the crusty stuff in my dog's ears?

Crusty dog ears can result from various issues, ranging from minor irritations to more severe conditions. Allergies and Sensitivities Dogs, like humans, can be allergic to environmental factors such as pollen, dust mites, or mold. Food allergies are also common, with certain proteins or ingredients triggering an allergic response. When a dog experiences an allergic reaction, their immune system responds by causing inflammation, redness, and irritation in the ears, leading to crustiness as the skin becomes dry and flaky. Ear Infections Bacterial or yeast infections can develop in a dog’s ears, leading to inflammation, discharge, and a crusty appearance. Parasites, such as ear mites, live inside the ear canal, causing intense itching and discomfort. As your dog scratches and shakes their head in response, the skin in and around the ears can become irritated and develop crusty patches. Ear mites are highly contagious, so if you suspect your dog has them, have them examined by your veterinarian.

Ear problems are quite common in pets but they can be painful so it's best to get them sorted with a trip to the vet. Signs that your pet may have an ear problem are: Red, swollen and sore looking ears Their ear might leak pus or wax. Extra ear wax If your pet is producing a lot of ear wax, this can build up and become really uncomfortable. Your pet will need two types of ear drops: A drop to help break up all the extra wax in their ear A drop to treat the cause of the problem. It’s important to visit your vet so they can rule out anything else that might be making your pet produce too much wax, like ear mites, an allergy or an infection. Ear mites can also cause ear problems, they live inside your pet's ear and feed off their ear wax and skin oils.

One sign your dog may have mites is a crusty, blackish-brown ear discharge, which often looks like dried shoe polish. A waxy, yellow, or reddish-brown ear discharge can also be a sign your dog has an ear infection, which can be a result of allergies, mites, polyps, overproduction of ear wax, excessive bathing or swimming, or other problems. If you notice discharge, redness, swelling, or odor, it's time to talk to the vet. Ear discharge in dogs can be the result of several causes and can have all kinds of smells, colors, and consistencies. If your dog's ears seem painful when they're touched, if your dog is tilting its head to one side, stumbling or circling to one side, pawing or scratching its ears, shaking its head, if the ear or ears seem inflamed, or if there's ear odor, it could be a sign of these common dog ear problems. What you should see is a clean, pink ear canal. Left untreated, ear problems in dogs can result in severe pain, hematomas, balance problems, and even deafness.

Hyperkeratosis is a condition where the skin produces excessive keratin, leading to thickened, crusty, or hardened areas — most commonly on the nose or paw pads. In some cases, it can also appear on the ears and other parts of the body. This condition is more frequently seen in older dogs, specific breeds, and dogs with underlying health conditions. Hyperkeratosis might be the cause of the crusty stuff in your dog's ears, as it can lead to the development of thickened or crusty areas in this area. While there is no cure, proper care and management can prevent discomfort and secondary complications.

Yeast is a naturally occurring fungus that can be found on your dog's skin and in his or her ears. Ear inflammation can cause yeast levels to rise and cause a brown, greasy discharge within the ear canal and around the inside flap of your dog's ear. This discharge can be itchy and smelly for your dog. Yeast ear infections can lead your dog to experience the following symptoms: Red or brown waxy discharge in the ear. The key to preventing yeast ear infections in dogs is keeping the ear canal healthy and dry. Whenever your pooch has been in water bathing or swimming be sure to dry your dog's ears well. Chronic or recurring infections in your dog can be caused by underlying conditions such as allergies or hypothyroidism.

Dogs can develop yeast infections on their skin or in their ears when there is an abnormal overproduction of the yeast that is normally found on your pet's skin. Yeast infections can also be called Malassezia dermatitis, or Yeast Dermatitis and it usually occurs in a dog's ears, between their paw pads, or in their skin folds. Yeast is a natural spore-producing fungus on a dog's body that doesn't generally cause illness unless there is too much of it. Yeast infections in a dog's ear can also lead to deafness if the condition goes too long without treatment. There are a handful of signs and symptoms that could indicate your dog has yeast dermatitis or a yeast ear infection including: Skin redness, Itching, Appearance of darkly pigmented skin, Flaky or scaly skin, Sores on the skin, Musty odor, Change in skin texture, Hair loss, Head tilting and shaking, Hearing loss. Typically the first symptoms your dog will develop is an odor as well as redness and swelling of the infected area but can progress to other symptoms including warmth and pain. Head tilting and shaking, Hearing loss are symptoms that could indicate your dog has a yeast infection in their ear.