Why are my dog's black, crusty ears painful & she's losing fur?

This is likely to be caused by an ear infection due to proliferation of Malassezia spp (an yeast infection basically). I would recommend an immediate check up to confirm this clinical suspicion and treat accordingly. Antibiotics ear drops will be required. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

It looks to me like something more serious could be going on, although it can be difficult to tell from a picture. Sometimes vasculitis can cause discoloration and poor blood flow to the tips of the ears - this would need a biopsy for a definite diagnosis. I would recommend rechecking with your vet.

It sounds like he could have a bacterial infection on his ears. You could bathe him with a medicated shampoo and see if that helps but he may need an antibiotic treat the problem. Have your vet take a look at him to prescribe the best medication to treat. You could also add Free Form Snip Tips to his diet to keep his coat and skin healthy.

I am so sorry to hear that Gizmo's ear is bothering her. From what you are describing I believe she has an ear infection, and has been scratching at her ear causing the changes you observe. Ear infections in dogs can be very difficult to manage, and are very common. Though cleaning may help prevent ear infections ruins, it won't treat an ear infection that is present. Antibiotics are needed. Unfortunately, there aren't any medications over the counter which would be helpful at this stage. Outer ear infections can progress to inner ear infections. Inner ear infections are very difficult to treat, are very painful and have serious potential complications, such as hearing loss and problems with balance. I would suggest a trip to the vet as soon as you can. The vet will use a tool to look into Gizmo's ears, and may take a swab of the infected ear and send it away for analysis, so that the exact pathogens causing the infection can be identified and therefore a specific antibiotic can be used. 

I hope that this answer was helpful, and more importantly that Gizmo's ear gets better soon. Warmest regards to you both.

It sounds like she has a bacterial skin infection so she should be examined by a vet for treatment. Your vet can shave the area, flush and clean the area, and then prescribe an antibiotic and anti-inflammatory, if needed, to help treat.

It's possible your pet is experiencing symptoms of a bacterial infection due to mange mite infestation. You'll want to be sure to visit your local Veterinarian as soon as possible and request a skin scraping examination. This will allow your doctor to identify the underlying cause of your pets discomfort. You're doctor may prescribe an antibiotic to help stop the infection and mite/mange treatment if needed.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding your dog. I recommend that she sees her veterinarian. The ear could have a small mass that has now become infected. The leg appears to have an elbow callus. Her veterinarian will determine if this is the case. If a mass is present on the ear, it may require surgical removal. If it is a wound, then antibiotics could be needed. If the limb has a callus, treatment is generally not required. I hope this information helps!