Has anybody cured leather ear? - Page 2 - YorkieTalk.com Forums

linanator · 03-14-2009, 08:22 PM

Hi, all. I'm brand new to this forum. I have a little guy who picked up kennel cough at the New York specialties this past February. Vet put him on Clavamox. Now he has leather ear, a fungus. We think the antibiotic for kennel cough (which can't be cured, so I'm not really sure why Clavamox except possibly to keep from getting pneumonia. It just has to run it's course) killed the good bacteria while killing the bad. I was told by my other yorkie show/breeder friends and the professional handler I use (when I need one) what to do as I've never experienced it before, but have heard of it for years. They advised Stridex pads, rub hard on inside of ear and nose, if it's being affected, which in our case, it is!, then scrub with a toothbrush, rewipe w/the Stidex pad. Do this every other day. It does take a while----several weeks to several months. I've heard about the Lotrimen treatment, too.
This is a show puppy and thankfully, I don't have any shows coming up until May. His nose looks awful. His ears are black looking....well dark greyish, on the inside. As if the kennel cough wasn't bad enough, now this. Poor little guy. I hope the hair on his nose comes back soon. So far, he doesn't seem to have lost the hair on his ears, but figure it's coming. Maybe I've caught it early. This stuff seems to have appeared rather quickly. If it was there when we were in New York, I certainly didn't notice it. So I can't swear it was a result of the antibiotic. Just a theory.
Lin

yorkiesmiles · 03-15-2009, 11:03 AM

Welcome to YT

Oh, leather ear - not fun, it takes time, patience & consistency

I have never heard of scrubbing with a tooth brush - sounds harmful -also I would be concerned what is inthe pads. I always treated the ears pretty gently & noses too

Both my dogs started having problems a 1 1/2 yrs ago. Lat winter, my Roxy had almost no hair on her ears - it took mths for it to grow back. Both dogs, seemed to be affected on the bridge of their noses - but it too improved during the warmer mths

I did try Alex's Yorkie Care Frequently Asked Questions. Page Alex's Yorkie Care Frequently Asked Questions. Page 3. suggestions - consistency was my hardest thing when doing this, especially when I wasn't seeing results

What I think made the biggest difference was this shampoo I got from my holistic vet - it is Photoclens by Ayuvet from Tomer Labs - you can buy it directly from them natural herbal treatment - tomer laboratories - natural quality herbal remedies -- this shampoo is wonderful - the dogs smell wonderful & their coats are beautiful. I really lather their ears and noses up good with this shampoo and it needs to sit on them for at least 5 minutes

Here is what I found about the ingredients
oils of Himalayan cedarwood
Himalayan Cedarwood Essential Oil, Aromatherapy Essential Oils, Organic Essential Oils

Eucalyptus leaf oil
Buy Eucalyptus Oil, Aromatherapy Essential Oils, Organic Essential Oils

Also, Eucalyptus is suppose to deter fleas

This shampoo made a difference I believe, and also the warm weather - I believe that it is called winter ear for a reason - because it happens during cold weather. Last summer, we saw major improvement in Roxy's ears.

__________________

linanator · 03-15-2009, 06:28 PM

Hi, Yorkiesmiles,
I agree with you. I think it sounds horrible to scrub the 'fungus' off with a tooth brush, but they swear it works. Sounds harsh to me, too, and I really hate doing it. They say it takes that to get the dead skin sells that the fungus has killed off their skin.
I like your idea better. I'm going to print your info off, if it's okay with you, and see if I can find the products you listed.
I appreciate your input. I'm guessing Stidex supposedly kills bacteria or anything else---like fungus---on the skin and doesn't contain alcohol. The only ingredient is Salicylic acid 2%. It's used for acne.
This is beginning to sound like a chronic 'condition'. I didn't want to hear that. Sounds like it gets better in Summer and comes back. That's not good at all.
I'll see if I can locate your recommended products. Thanks so much.

Lin P.S. This morning I found a tape worm in his poop! Poor little baby. It's been one thing after another with him. We try really hard to stay on top of keeping the yard area treated. He rarely goes outside, and only for a very few minutes. Guess I'll be at the vet's in the morning.

yorkiesmiles · 03-15-2009, 09:17 PM

sorry you have so many issues. I think you should be able to overcome all these things including the leather ear. When cleaning the ear off - or using as very small amt of tea tree oil on a cotton pad - the black gunk would come off - I did rub some of it off with my nail. Do not overuse the oil, but be consistent & spring is right around the corner

xxmxaxrxyxx · 03-15-2009, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yorkiesmiles

sorry you have so many issues. I think you should be able to overcome all these things including the leather ear. When cleaning the ear off - or using as very small amt of tea tree oil on a cotton pad - the black gunk would come off - I did rub some of it off with my nail. Do not overuse the oil, but be consistent & spring is right around the corner

where do you get tree tea oil? Mei Ling has really bad leather ears i been cleaning it with alcohol and applying lotrimin creme and it seems to be helping...i can actually see the hair growing back

yorkiesmiles · 03-16-2009, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxmxaxrxyxx

where do you get tree tea oil? Mei Ling has really bad leather ears i been cleaning it with alcohol and applying lotrimin creme and it seems to be helping...i can actually see the hair growing back

Well, if that is working, you might not need the oil -- and remember that in large doses or if they can lick it, tea tree oil can be toxic. Cats can definitely not have it on them. I buy mine at a local health food store - it comes in a very small bottle. You may be able to find it in a cream too.

Kenna · 03-17-2009, 06:19 AM

I know this is an older post but I have had a yorkie a fews back that had the leather ear and a bit on his nose. I would swab the "tea tree oil" on with a gtip and it worked wonders. It actuall never came back on him.

You can find tea tree oil in the health food stores or the health food section at your local grocery store.

linanator · 03-17-2009, 07:23 AM

Thanks to all the recommendations on how to treat leather ear. I did the Stridex treatment, without the toothbrushing, again last night. I worry about using the tea tree oil only because I have other dogs who would probably try to lick it off of the treated dog. Actually, I have two other yorkies that seem to have it on the edges of their ears. This puppy, however, has it on his nose (as I said before) and it's pretty much all over the inside of his ear, but is worse on the edges.
I've never heard of it being 'weather/season' related. That's interesting. My babies just run out to potty and that's it. They don't "hang around" outside. And I live down South. Surprised we'd have a problem with the cold weather effect. When we show up North, the dogs are not usually outside at all. (cuz we're in big hotels, etc. and have ex-pens w/pee pads for the potty area. I do that at home when it's frigid or really nasty out.)
Again, thanks for the recs. and I'm going to try to order the suggested shampoo, too.
Lin

GAOMariposa · 09-21-2009, 02:30 PM

Hi. I think my baby might have this problem as well...and she's a short hair. I was wondering, has anyone tried using white iodine? It's supposed to be a really great antifungal. They even recommend it for human nail fungus. It's also supposed to help strengthen nails. But would putting this on my baby's ears and her hind legs ( I have always noticed that her little back leg skin is darker, but she has darker patches all over, but I noticed that it feels like the skin of her ears) be okay? Her nose seems fine. Thanks and I'm sorry to resurrect an older thread. But like the original poster stated, there's not much information out there.

yorkiesmiles · 09-26-2009, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GAOMariposa

Hi. I think my baby might have this problem as well...and she's a short hair. I was wondering, has anyone tried using white iodine? It's supposed to be a really great antifungal. They even recommend it for human nail fungus. It's also supposed to help strengthen nails. But would putting this on my baby's ears and her hind legs ( I have always noticed that her little back leg skin is darker, but she has darker patches all over, but I noticed that it feels like the skin of her ears) be okay? Her nose seems fine. Thanks and I'm sorry to resurrect an older thread. But like the original poster stated, there's not much information out there.

I've never heard of using iodine. I have used Lotrmine with mixed results. But the biggest problem for me may have been my lack of consistency in trying to treat it. It's so hard if you are treating an area they can lick. I would read as much as you can about iodine before trying it

GAOMariposa · 09-27-2009, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yorkiesmiles

I've never heard of using iodine. I have used Lotrmine with mixed results. But the biggest problem for me may have been my lack of consistency in trying to treat it. It's so hard if you are treating an area they can lick. I would read as much as you can about iodine before trying it

I decided to just use the Lotrimin instead. Just in case the iodine has any side effects. Although I did notice the iodine starting to work. But just in case... Thank you for the information.

babymama · 06-26-2010, 10:54 AM

I did try Alex's Yorkie Care Frequently Asked Questions. Page Alex's Yorkie Care Frequently Asked Questions. Page 3. suggestions

Here's what I have found : It mentions to use Betadine to wash the ears with.
I got Hibiclens which is just another name basically - It's Active ingredient is Chlorhexidine Gluconate 4.0% Purpose is listed as Antiseptic.

She also mentioned Dog-O-Dentic wipes, dipped in alcohol - I found Pro-Pet Dental Wipes. I thought that's odd dental wipes for the ears hmph. Well, after reading ingredients....The Active ingredient in the Dental wipes is...Chlorhexedine Gluconate 0.1%. Where the dipping in alcohol comes from is Isopropyl Alcohol 4% is an Inactive ingredient in the Hibiclens.

So I decided to start with baby steps - I used just the little dental wipe pad alone, no alcohol added. Wiped my Baby's ears really good on both sides (and some black did come off) then massaged a little bit of the 1% Lotrimin or clotrimazole cream(antifungal) on both sides of his ears.

After just 2 treatments I feel like his little ears already look better. I will continue with the above to see how it goes. If I don't continue to see improvement then I will switch to washing ears with Hibiclens which is a higher concentrate of the Chlorhexidine Gluconate @ 4.0% vs 0.1% in wipes.

So I hope this helps anyone else that may be dealing with this.

4doggiemama · 06-26-2010, 11:57 AM

All interesting information. Rosie, my 14 yr. old senior girl from a horrible byb, had leather ear when I got her. At that time I thought it just was poor nutrition and let it be. It went away on it's own. She now has it again after the cold winter we had this winter. Never allow my little ones to stay out except to do their business, so I don't understand how cold weather is the culprit, but that seems to be what the stated cause it.

I plan on trying some of these ideas to see if I can help her ears before winter comes again. Needs some hair on those ears and nose to protect against KS weather. Thanks. ~Joanne~

Katerina · 01-11-2011, 10:00 PM

My Mindy has been scratching her ears often everyday and now she has hair loss behind both ears and her hair at the crown of her head is breaking off and thining. There is no blck stufff, wax or smell coming from her ear. I don't know what to do. Wondering if there's anything I could before taking her to the vet.

buggz · 02-09-2011, 11:44 PM

I've been searching everywhere for the reason my Petey has been loosing hair and getting dark spots showing up on his ears, I was really getting worried! I have a question to ask about the antifungal cream, what about using Tinactin cream,an anti fungal for feet??? is it the same as this Lotrim?? I'm not sure it is available in Canada??
Thanks for any advice!

03-14-2009, 08:22 PM	#16
linanator Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cordova, TN, USA Posts: 72	Leather ear Hi, all. I'm brand new to this forum. I have a little guy who picked up kennel cough at the New York specialties this past February. Vet put him on Clavamox. Now he has leather ear, a fungus. We think the antibiotic for kennel cough (which can't be cured, so I'm not really sure why Clavamox except possibly to keep from getting pneumonia. It just has to run it's course) killed the good bacteria while killing the bad. I was told by my other yorkie show/breeder friends and the professional handler I use (when I need one) what to do as I've never experienced it before, but have heard of it for years. They advised Stridex pads, rub hard on inside of ear and nose, if it's being affected, which in our case, it is!, then scrub with a toothbrush, rewipe w/the Stidex pad. Do this every other day. It does take a while----several weeks to several months. I've heard about the Lotrimen treatment, too. This is a show puppy and thankfully, I don't have any shows coming up until May. His nose looks awful. His ears are black looking....well dark greyish, on the inside. As if the kennel cough wasn't bad enough, now this. Poor little guy. I hope the hair on his nose comes back soon. So far, he doesn't seem to have lost the hair on his ears, but figure it's coming. Maybe I've caught it early. This stuff seems to have appeared rather quickly. If it was there when we were in New York, I certainly didn't notice it. So I can't swear it was a result of the antibiotic. Just a theory. Lin

03-15-2009, 11:03 AM	#17
yorkiesmiles Donating YT 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Iowa Posts: 9,493	Welcome to YT Oh, leather ear - not fun, it takes time, patience & consistency I have never heard of scrubbing with a tooth brush - sounds harmful -also I would be concerned what is inthe pads. I always treated the ears pretty gently & noses too Both my dogs started having problems a 1 1/2 yrs ago. Lat winter, my Roxy had almost no hair on her ears - it took mths for it to grow back. Both dogs, seemed to be affected on the bridge of their noses - but it too improved during the warmer mths I did try Alex's Yorkie Care Frequently Asked Questions. Page Alex's Yorkie Care Frequently Asked Questions. Page 3. suggestions - consistency was my hardest thing when doing this, especially when I wasn't seeing results What I think made the biggest difference was this shampoo I got from my holistic vet - it is Photoclens by Ayuvet from Tomer Labs - you can buy it directly from them natural herbal treatment - tomer laboratories - natural quality herbal remedies -- this shampoo is wonderful - the dogs smell wonderful & their coats are beautiful. I really lather their ears and noses up good with this shampoo and it needs to sit on them for at least 5 minutes Here is what I found about the ingredients oils of Himalayan cedarwood Himalayan Cedarwood Essential Oil, Aromatherapy Essential Oils, Organic Essential Oils Eucalyptus leaf oil Buy Eucalyptus Oil, Aromatherapy Essential Oils, Organic Essential Oils Also, Eucalyptus is suppose to deter fleas This shampoo made a difference I believe, and also the warm weather - I believe that it is called winter ear for a reason - because it happens during cold weather. Last summer, we saw major improvement in Roxy's ears. __________________ __________________ yorkiesmiles Loved by Bubba & Roxy *Holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come*

03-15-2009, 06:28 PM	#18
linanator Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cordova, TN, USA Posts: 72	Leather ear Hi, Yorkiesmiles, I agree with you. I think it sounds horrible to scrub the 'fungus' off with a tooth brush, but they swear it works. Sounds harsh to me, too, and I really hate doing it. They say it takes that to get the dead skin sells that the fungus has killed off their skin. I like your idea better. I'm going to print your info off, if it's okay with you, and see if I can find the products you listed. I appreciate your input. I'm guessing Stidex supposedly kills bacteria or anything else---like fungus---on the skin and doesn't contain alcohol. The only ingredient is Salicylic acid 2%. It's used for acne. This is beginning to sound like a chronic 'condition'. I didn't want to hear that. Sounds like it gets better in Summer and comes back. That's not good at all. I'll see if I can locate your recommended products. Thanks so much. Lin P.S. This morning I found a tape worm in his poop! Poor little baby. It's been one thing after another with him. We try really hard to stay on top of keeping the yard area treated. He rarely goes outside, and only for a very few minutes. Guess I'll be at the vet's in the morning.

03-15-2009, 09:17 PM	#19
yorkiesmiles Donating YT 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Iowa Posts: 9,493	sorry you have so many issues. I think you should be able to overcome all these things including the leather ear. When cleaning the ear off - or using as very small amt of tea tree oil on a cotton pad - the black gunk would come off - I did rub some of it off with my nail. Do not overuse the oil, but be consistent & spring is right around the corner __________________ yorkiesmiles Loved by Bubba & Roxy *Holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come*

03-17-2009, 07:23 AM	#23
linanator Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cordova, TN, USA Posts: 72	Leather ear Thanks to all the recommendations on how to treat leather ear. I did the Stridex treatment, without the toothbrushing, again last night. I worry about using the tea tree oil only because I have other dogs who would probably try to lick it off of the treated dog. Actually, I have two other yorkies that seem to have it on the edges of their ears. This puppy, however, has it on his nose (as I said before) and it's pretty much all over the inside of his ear, but is worse on the edges. I've never heard of it being 'weather/season' related. That's interesting. My babies just run out to potty and that's it. They don't "hang around" outside. And I live down South. Surprised we'd have a problem with the cold weather effect. When we show up North, the dogs are not usually outside at all. (cuz we're in big hotels, etc. and have ex-pens w/pee pads for the potty area. I do that at home when it's frigid or really nasty out.) Again, thanks for the recs. and I'm going to try to order the suggested shampoo, too. Lin

03-17-2009, 06:19 AM	#22
Kenna YT Addict Join Date: May 2008 Location: USA Posts: 367	I know this is an older post but I have had a yorkie a fews back that had the leather ear and a bit on his nose. I would swab the "tea tree oil" on with a gtip and it worked wonders. It actuall never came back on him. You can find tea tree oil in the health food stores or the health food section at your local grocery store.

09-21-2009, 02:30 PM	#24
GAOMariposa YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: California Posts: 581	Hi. I think my baby might have this problem as well...and she's a short hair. I was wondering, has anyone tried using white iodine? It's supposed to be a really great antifungal. They even recommend it for human nail fungus. It's also supposed to help strengthen nails. But would putting this on my baby's ears and her hind legs ( I have always noticed that her little back leg skin is darker, but she has darker patches all over, but I noticed that it feels like the skin of her ears) be okay? Her nose seems fine. Thanks and I'm sorry to resurrect an older thread. But like the original poster stated, there's not much information out there. __________________ Mommy to Itzel Mirai and new mommy to Olivia Ilse. http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2041766&id=28002407&l=fe7f758320

06-26-2010, 10:54 AM	#27
babymama Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Flower Mound, TX USA Posts: 27	Leather Ear I did try Alex's Yorkie Care Frequently Asked Questions. Page Alex's Yorkie Care Frequently Asked Questions. Page 3. suggestions Here's what I have found : It mentions to use Betadine to wash the ears with. I got Hibiclens which is just another name basically - It's Active ingredient is Chlorhexidine Gluconate 4.0% Purpose is listed as Antiseptic. She also mentioned Dog-O-Dentic wipes, dipped in alcohol - I found Pro-Pet Dental Wipes. I thought that's odd dental wipes for the ears hmph. Well, after reading ingredients....The Active ingredient in the Dental wipes is...Chlorhexedine Gluconate 0.1%. Where the dipping in alcohol comes from is Isopropyl Alcohol 4% is an Inactive ingredient in the Hibiclens. So I decided to start with baby steps - I used just the little dental wipe pad alone, no alcohol added. Wiped my Baby's ears really good on both sides (and some black did come off) then massaged a little bit of the 1% Lotrimin or clotrimazole cream(antifungal) on both sides of his ears. After just 2 treatments I feel like his little ears already look better. I will continue with the above to see how it goes. If I don't continue to see improvement then I will switch to washing ears with Hibiclens which is a higher concentrate of the Chlorhexidine Gluconate @ 4.0% vs 0.1% in wipes. So I hope this helps anyone else that may be dealing with this. __________________ Jan & Baby

06-26-2010, 11:57 AM	#28
4doggiemama Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: KS Posts: 3,289	All interesting information. Rosie, my 14 yr. old senior girl from a horrible byb, had leather ear when I got her. At that time I thought it just was poor nutrition and let it be. It went away on it's own. She now has it again after the cold winter we had this winter. Never allow my little ones to stay out except to do their business, so I don't understand how cold weather is the culprit, but that seems to be what the stated cause it. I plan on trying some of these ideas to see if I can help her ears before winter comes again. Needs some hair on those ears and nose to protect against KS weather. Thanks. ~Joanne~ __________________ Joanne Eli ChipperEva Snowboy Rosie(R.I.P. 1996-July 29, 2013) Cocoa(R.I.P 1998-April 26, 2012):

02-09-2011, 11:44 PM	#30
buggz Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Vancouver Island Posts: 31	I've been searching everywhere for the reason my Petey has been loosing hair and getting dark spots showing up on his ears, I was really getting worried! I have a question to ask about the antifungal cream, what about using Tinactin cream,an anti fungal for feet??? is it the same as this Lotrim?? I'm not sure it is available in Canada?? Thanks for any advice!