Help Me Help Lexi-Pie!!! PLZ!!!

[MommysBabyRoxy]

I have a few questions for anybody who can help me.

I adopted another Yorkie 2 days ago, I've been looking into it cause Roxy is 3 and I really wanted her to have a playmate. We got her new friend in Ohio and when I saw her I fell in love with her, but there are things that I am not sure about since I never had any problems with Roxy.

So, her name is Lexi, and Lexi is 1yr and 4mo. (she is exactly 2yrs & 1 day younger than Roxy! Nov 15 06 - Roxy, Nov 16 08 - Lexi).

Well, so far, Lexi is not jumping. She cant get up on the couch, she cant get up on anything, and she gets really stiff when you pick her up. I dont know if thats because she is still getting used to us and she is just nervous, or if this is just her demeanor, since Roxy was just never like that.

Also, and this is the part thats really bothering me. Her ears are very rough on the corners, and they were SO DIRTY inside!!! They look like leather! I am not sure hair will ever grow on them...

She itches them, and I cant get her an appointment with my vet until next week, but I am using the ear cleaner I got for Roxy when she had an infection on her ears and cleaning them out... its taking me 8 Q-tips to clean them out, and theyre just so dirty!

Can anybody tell me what they think this could be that she has? If it could be solved and if her hair will ever grow back and her ears will ever be soft?
Any suggestions are welcome!!!

I just want to help my little Lexi-pie. She isnt scratching too much anymore, but I think that her care was very lacking before, her nails were so long, her hair wasnt maintained, her ears are just a mess and they were so smelly, and her skin was so dry. I want to help her.

[MommysBabyRoxy]

Well, I was reading up on the Internet, and I think that Lexi might have Leather Ear, which happens to affect a lot of Yorkies.

Now, I need to get some kind of special Betadine or Plexadine Shampoo, and have her thyroid checked.

Does anybody know the kind of shampoo to get that I can clean her with?? It also says to put Lotrimin 1% on her, and I am not sure what that is or where I can get it???

Or, I also read that you can use #l All Systems Tea Tree Oil, but once again, I have no idea where I would get this and how to use it... or how to use any of it.

If I go to the vet, could they supply me with something and tell me how to use it???

Anybody ever get this before on their Yorkie? Plz...

[jencar98]

It does sound kind of like leather ear. the Lotrimin is an antifungal cream and can be purchased at most any drug store or even Walmart, as can the shampoo. But, the hair loss could be from her scratching and that could be because of ear infection or ear mites. I would have her ears checked by a vet before treating with lotrimin or tea tree oil.

About Lexi not jumping, that could actually be a good thing. I don't allow my yorkies to jump on/off the couch, bed or anywhere if possible, we use steps. I don't want to risk a patella injury or even possibly a broken leg.

ETA.....the hair on her ears will most likely grow back if you can stop the reason for itching. Even with leather ear, treating it and sometimes warmer weather, the hair grows back.

[MommysBabyRoxy]

Thank you.

I was just reading an older thread about this...

Her ear is very dark and the edges look so rough, but theyre not slimy from what I can tell. Theyre just very leather looking, dark, and have no hair on them. She does itch them a bit, and I clean them out and they are SO DIRTY inside.

I am confused, I am not sure if she has both ear mites, an ear condition along with the leather ear... but the bridge of her nose is like that too.

I know its not the best picture but...

http://i49.tinypic.com/feosp1.jpg

The one on the left is Roxy, and the one on the right is Lexi. You can see how dark her nose and ears are, and that she barely has any hair on her ears.

Perhaps you can tell me what you think.

[jencar98]

It does kind of look like leather ear but the leather ear could be as a result of all of her scratching....and that is most likely due to ear infection and/or ear mites. As dirty as you say they are I suspect ear mites and an infection. Definitely get her checked by your vet, to get proper meds for the infection and ear mites.

With treatment and getting the scratching to stop along with warmer weather, her ears and nose will get better (grow hair) most likely.

One of the foster girls I have has had leather ear, since she's been treated for infection and is getting proper grooming her hair is coming back and she's been here about a month.

[xxmxaxrxyxx]

she sounds and looks like she has leather ears...Mei Ling had it but I am happy to say that finally her hair is beginning to grow back....it was driving me nuts! Clean it with rubbing alcohol and apply the lotrimin cream daily...here is a link to Terri's website that describe the care of Winter ears aka Leather ears...

Alex's Yorkie Care Frequently Asked Questions. Page 3.

also the first attached pictures is of Mei Ling when we were battling the Winter ears...and the 2nd is the most recent and you can see the hair fuzz coming back in...hehe

[jrsygal37]

I'll concure with others and say it sounds like Leather Ear. Was Lexie used for breeding or was she in a kennel environment? This could be part of the reason for her stiffening up when you pick her up. Little ones that have little or no contact will do this. As far as jumping on the furniture as Jen said it's not a bad thing, BUT I'm pretty certain over time she will. She may not have had great nutrition, and she needs to build muscle. I have five that are rescues and none could jump up on furniture etc. They just weren't not strong enough to do that. Over time I noticed the difference, from playing and being able to run and of course the good nutrition, that they put on weight and developed nice muscle tone.

Elaine (mom to five rescues and one little xmas midget)

[angelakc]

awww i hope it all works out.... does sound like leather ear.... my brothers bulldog had that and he treated it and her hair grew back=)

[MommysBabyRoxy]

Thank you all for your concern and your input.

Can you believe I went to PetCo, Burtons, & PetSmart today, and NOBODY knew what this even was!!! I was so angry!!!

I believe it is Leather Ear too and I was going to buy stuff for it, but then decided best to wait to see what the Vet said on Monday morning, and she may prescribe me something.

Lexi was going to be used for breeding but then she decided she wasnt big enough to breed so she sold her. I do believe she was kept in a kennel, and the poor thing had not had her nails cut in forever, they were the first thing I did when I got home.

I am proud to report though that Lexi is now jumping up on the couch and such... and she is also getting along with Roxy a bit more.

Im still cleaning her ears every 12 hours and they are just so dirty... I feel so bad for her. I hope the vet can give me something to help her... (after today I am afraid she wont even know what Leather Ear is, but I got a print out and will take it with me) and I will see what she tells me. I hope its as easy to solve as the Alcohol and Lotrimin, because those are also easy to buy.

I really appreciate all the input.

I do have one more thing though, the woman I got Lexi from also said that she "gives her own vaccines", she is in Ohio. That all seemed shady to me... but I dont want to OVER medicate the poor thing either if she did get her rabies and 3way shots. I am very scared, and I am not sure what to make of this woman and her "word".

She told me to send her pics and I did 3 days ago, and she hasnt responded. She is very bad at communication, even before I got Lexi, I asked her to send my pics of her at least 8 times over 2 weeks. She never got to it, and I knew she was a joker, but when I saw Lexi I fell in love, and knew by the shape she was in I wanted to get her out of there and take care of her.

[LilMissy]

I'm so happy that you adopted Lexi and she is now getting the care that she needs. Sounds like she is starting to settle in to her new family!

[Elegance]

Im sorry I have no advice to help with her ears but from what i read you are on the right track
Im gald you saved Lexi, and on her part she was lucky to be small so she wouldnt be bred and spend her life in a kennel with a woman that cant clean her ears or trim her nails ugh the thought makes me angry!
Well enjoy your new addition

[MommysBabyRoxy]

I am so irritated!!

The Vet looked at what I printed out and folded it up and laughed and said "this is what happens when people go on the internet and try to do self diagnosis. There is NO such thing as 'leather ear'".

She didnt even LOOK at the stuff I printed out. It made me so angry. Then she told me I shouldnt have cleaned Lexi's ears out, cause even though she couldnt get me in for almost a week, it killed the mites in her ear. I guess I was just supposed to let the baby suffer and take the chance on Chico and Roxy getting them.

She told me Lexi's ears look normal, and I dont think that they do. I have seen LOTS of Yorkie ears, and I have had problems with Chihuahua and Yorkie ears in the past, and I know what a healthy ear looks like.

She insisted it must be the mites that made her ear like that... after she insisted that she wouldnt find any mite reminants, and then found the head and feelers of one, although dead, it was proof they were there.

I still dont think that the mites could have made her ears this black and gunky all around the edges of the ear and made her lose her hair on the back, but I could be wrong about that, and I can admit that. Depending on how long she has had them and they were untreated. I dont think the woman who had her ever treated her for anything.

I am still going to do the Lotrimin tho, and I am also going to use the Revolution for her on her to get rid of the mites and everything else. She was microchipped and I have to get the info done... (at least the lady didnt lie about that)

The vet also insisted that Lexi was at least 3 years old, which I dont believe because she said that with how bad her teeth are, there is no way that she is a year old. Her teeth are much better than Roxy's and I KNOW 1. that woman didnt not cut her nails, but cleaned her teeth. 2. Roxy's teeth are cleaned regularly, she IS 3, and she has bad teeth, way worse than Lexi's and I know Roxy is 3. I am pretty sure that Lexi is about a year, her teeth are still white, straight, and look pretty good.

I knew that I shouldnt have trusted this lady whenever I told her Lexi was a year and 4 months and she insisted that would have made her born in July of 08. Somebody obviously can not count.

She didnt listen to me at all, and even contradicted me about saying the lady who had her didnt know how to care for her, almost sticking up for her like they were old friends that go way back. She doesnt know this woman from Jack. I finally said, well, I guess her nails growing so long theyre practically growing into her pads is a sign of a responsible owner then.

I AM SO MAD. After Lexi gets her shots, I wont be going back. Had I not already paid for them, Id be going somewhere else.

She had the gall to ask me if I wanted to get her fixed... I said yes, but not here.