Hair Loss on back of ears - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Kate Green · 04-15-2012, 11:36 AM

My Yorkie has white, dry skin on the backs of her ears which is making her lose hair on back of both ears equally. It is slowly creaping down her ears to her neck. It flakes off in small sheets of pieces in areas of no hair as well as in the hairline.

Took her to the Vet who ruled out mange (as it is only on her ears and my other dog has no problems). No ear mites, been treated for that.

The Vet gave me cream called Panolog Cream: Nystatine-Neomycin sulfate-thiostrepton-triamcinolone acetonide cream USP. After two applications, the back of her ears immediately turned white/yellow with dried skin all over the hairless area, which is what I was trying to get rid of, so stopped using it.

Researched on internet and tried Betadine solution but still developed along hairline.

Also trying Tea Tree Oil in Jojoba Oil. Makes it better but white skin is still developing along the hairline areas.

Feeding Iams Proactive.

Can anyone help? Thanks.

Patti · 04-15-2012, 03:10 PM

Sorry I have no advice other than maybe taking her to a dermatologist to see if they have more experience with this. I hope you can find out the cause.

ladyjane · 04-15-2012, 03:14 PM

If the vet did not do a scraping, I would go back and have that done....or as Patti suggested a dermatologist.
Good luck and welcome to YT

Rescuemomma · 04-15-2012, 08:02 PM

A dermatologist isn't a bad idea - however food could also be an issue. Iams has alot of grains and chemicals in it. Try a more natural dog food, and adding omega 3 oils (such as salmon, sardine, or other fish oils) to her food, and get a good medicated shampoo, but don't bathe to frequently. Sounds like an allergy or dermatitis causing the dry flaky skin to me.

kjc · 04-15-2012, 08:33 PM

Hi and Welcome to YT!

I would definitely have her seen by a dermatologist. Tea Tree Oil is toxic to dogs when used incorrectly, ie: it must be in no stronger than 5% in solution... best bet is to use products made for dogs that contain Tea Tree Oil.

Rescuemomma · 04-15-2012, 08:58 PM

Another thought - has a thyroid test been done? Hypothyroidism can cause dry, flaky skin and/or patches of hairless. I'd recommend a full thyroid panel (T3, T4, free T3, free T4, TSH, TgAA) to give a full picture. t3 and/or T4 alone does not give an accurate view. To save money and get the best possible diagnosis I personally like having my vet draw blood and spin it down for me and then send it myself to hemolife, Dr Dodds is an expert on thyroid problems on dogs. I get her thyroid profile 5 or thyroid profile 5 plus (depending on if I want a full CBC/chem done as well - always a good idea if not done recently!), and then add on the TSH. If I do everything it's only $155. Not bad at all, usually much cheaper then my vet charges, overnight blood if you're going to do the CBC/chem.

Kate Green · 04-16-2012, 02:38 PM

Thank you everyone for your very good ideas. Allergies is one of her main problems, blood tests show allergic to most grasses, sage brush, much of the outdoors, but not foods. She stays indoors most of the time voluntarily, like she knows.

Will change her food (just in case), take her to the Vet for scraping and possible thyroid testing (had never thought of that, so thanks). And am looking up dermatitist treatments.

I really appreciate all your thoughts and willingness to help. Bald ears on a Yorkie is very different and want to rectify this soon.

Grateful.
Kate

Kate Green · 08-24-2012, 10:40 AM

A followup on the outcome of hair loss on ears to everyone who was so kind to comment and care.

Evidently it was a form of dermatitis, not sure. What worked, was applying Colloidal Silver on her ears at least once a day for several weeks until all scabs went away. Her bald, pink ears turned different colors through the process, but now they are fine, and the hair is growing back beautifully. Nice & thick.

It took a long time for the scabs and white layers of skin to go away, but by being diligent every day, and rubbing beyond the scab line into the hair, it did the job.

Miss Teddi enjoyed the medication as it cooled her ears and stopped the itching. She is very happy now that her ears no longer itch.

Hope this helps someone else.
Kate

lillymae · 08-24-2012, 10:59 PM

Thanks for the update & for sharing what worked. I'm glad to hear all is well now. Welcome to YT !

04-15-2012, 11:36 AM	#1
Kate Green YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: California city Posts: 3	Hair Loss on back of ears My Yorkie has white, dry skin on the backs of her ears which is making her lose hair on back of both ears equally. It is slowly creaping down her ears to her neck. It flakes off in small sheets of pieces in areas of no hair as well as in the hairline. Took her to the Vet who ruled out mange (as it is only on her ears and my other dog has no problems). No ear mites, been treated for that. The Vet gave me cream called Panolog Cream: Nystatine-Neomycin sulfate-thiostrepton-triamcinolone acetonide cream USP. After two applications, the back of her ears immediately turned white/yellow with dried skin all over the hairless area, which is what I was trying to get rid of, so stopped using it. Researched on internet and tried Betadine solution but still developed along hairline. Also trying Tea Tree Oil in Jojoba Oil. Makes it better but white skin is still developing along the hairline areas. Feeding Iams Proactive. Can anyone help? Thanks.

04-15-2012, 03:10 PM	#2
Patti Donating YT 30K Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 35,509 Blog Entries: 6	Sorry I have no advice other than maybe taking her to a dermatologist to see if they have more experience with this. I hope you can find out the cause. __________________ Cali Pixie Roxie : RIP Nikki; RIP Maya;RIP my sweet Dixie girl 1/17/08 http://callipuppyscastle.bravehost.com/index.html

04-15-2012, 03:14 PM	#3
ladyjane Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 27,467	If the vet did not do a scraping, I would go back and have that done....or as Patti suggested a dermatologist. Good luck and welcome to YT __________________ CLOUD NINE BEDS--YORKIE HAVEN RESCUE MY ETSY SHOP

04-15-2012, 08:02 PM	#4
Rescuemomma YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: USA Posts: 506	A dermatologist isn't a bad idea - however food could also be an issue. Iams has alot of grains and chemicals in it. Try a more natural dog food, and adding omega 3 oils (such as salmon, sardine, or other fish oils) to her food, and get a good medicated shampoo, but don't bathe to frequently. Sounds like an allergy or dermatitis causing the dry flaky skin to me. __________________ Momma to King Louie Missing my angels California Lily and Benjamin Button, forever in my heart

04-15-2012, 08:33 PM	#5
kjc I♥PeekTinkySaph&Finny Donating Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Posts: 18,869	Hi and Welcome to YT! I would definitely have her seen by a dermatologist. Tea Tree Oil is toxic to dogs when used incorrectly, ie: it must be in no stronger than 5% in solution... best bet is to use products made for dogs that contain Tea Tree Oil. __________________ Kat Chloe Lizzy PeekABooTinkerbell SapphireInfinity

04-15-2012, 08:58 PM	#6
Rescuemomma YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: USA Posts: 506	Another thought - has a thyroid test been done? Hypothyroidism can cause dry, flaky skin and/or patches of hairless. I'd recommend a full thyroid panel (T3, T4, free T3, free T4, TSH, TgAA) to give a full picture. t3 and/or T4 alone does not give an accurate view. To save money and get the best possible diagnosis I personally like having my vet draw blood and spin it down for me and then send it myself to hemolife, Dr Dodds is an expert on thyroid problems on dogs. I get her thyroid profile 5 or thyroid profile 5 plus (depending on if I want a full CBC/chem done as well - always a good idea if not done recently!), and then add on the TSH. If I do everything it's only $155. Not bad at all, usually much cheaper then my vet charges, overnight blood if you're going to do the CBC/chem. __________________ Momma to King Louie Missing my angels California Lily and Benjamin Button, forever in my heart

04-16-2012, 02:38 PM	#7
Kate Green YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: California city Posts: 3	Hair Loss on back of ears Thank you everyone for your very good ideas. Allergies is one of her main problems, blood tests show allergic to most grasses, sage brush, much of the outdoors, but not foods. She stays indoors most of the time voluntarily, like she knows. Will change her food (just in case), take her to the Vet for scraping and possible thyroid testing (had never thought of that, so thanks). And am looking up dermatitist treatments. I really appreciate all your thoughts and willingness to help. Bald ears on a Yorkie is very different and want to rectify this soon. Grateful. Kate

08-24-2012, 10:40 AM	#8
Kate Green YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: California city Posts: 3	A followup on the outcome of hair loss on ears to everyone who was so kind to comment and care. Evidently it was a form of dermatitis, not sure. What worked, was applying Colloidal Silver on her ears at least once a day for several weeks until all scabs went away. Her bald, pink ears turned different colors through the process, but now they are fine, and the hair is growing back beautifully. Nice & thick. It took a long time for the scabs and white layers of skin to go away, but by being diligent every day, and rubbing beyond the scab line into the hair, it did the job. Miss Teddi enjoyed the medication as it cooled her ears and stopped the itching. She is very happy now that her ears no longer itch. Hope this helps someone else. Kate

08-24-2012, 10:59 PM	#9
lillymae YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Idaho Posts: 4,544	Thanks for the update & for sharing what worked. I'm glad to hear all is well now. Welcome to YT !