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Why is my Boston Terrier losing hair and has crusty ears and nose?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Boston Terrier | Female | spayed | 15 lbs

Hi, my boston terrier, 14, has seemingly overnight, lost patchy hair (in little squares) on one edge of her left pena only, and on her snout anout 1/2 in square behind her nose. Neither is itchy. Neither is red. The inside of both pena suddenly have black waxy crusty stuff, but only near the tips, the canals are clean pink. Above one nostril is dark crusty.

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Vanessa Yeager DVM MPH

Veterinarian

Published on September 14th, 2017

Hi and thank you for your question on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Hair loss on the ear tips and nose can be a sign of a fungal infection (ringworm). This can be itchy but sometimes it is not. It is hard to say if this is really the cause or not without seeing Scratch first, but that is my best guess.

I would have this confirmed with your veterinarian. They will do a skin scrape and a final culture. If it is ringworm, Scratch will need to be on anti fungal medication for several weeks.

I hoe this helps!

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM
Veterinarian
Hi there and thank you for using pet coach to address your concern. What you are describing could be caused by multiple possibilities. It is possible that the hair loss and crusting on the nose and ears could be due to an immune disorder or allergies. If there is a large amount of waxy debris in both ear canals it is possible that the ears may be infected. It is difficult to say for sure what the problem is since I have no pictures and am unable to examine scratch. I would suggest having scratch examined by a veterinarian in order to determine what the problem is so that scratch can receive the most appropriate treatment. I hope this helps! Please feel free to contact me if you have any other questions or concerns. I am also available by phone or text based consultation if needed.
0Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Oneal Bogan, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on August 11th, 2018
Hi there. There could be a couple of things causing the crusting around Nava's ears. It could be she has a skin mite, or she could have allergies.

I would recommend having your vet check a skin scape on her to check for mites. If that is negative, your vet can check for allergies and help find treatment to resolve the issue.

I hope that helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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