Why does my dog have red or bald spots on her ears? Is it serious?

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Sophie and for providing pictures, they are very helpful! It could be a rash, but it could also be from her scratching at her ears, which is a sign of an ear infection. Without seeing her in person, I can't say for certain. I'd have her seen by a vet to have this diagnosed and treated. Best of luck!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This looks like a severe focal infection. I recommend you have her evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment as this will likely require local therapy with cleaning of the site, pain control medications and antibiotics. Also, your veterinarian could check for a possible underlying cause like allergies, mites or a foreign body reaction. Good luck!

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concerns. It is difficult to say for sure what is causing the hair loss and itching on the back of the ear based on the photo alone. However, I would assume that this is likely related to a potential ear infection. I would recommend taking Ollie in to be seen by a veterinarian so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made.

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Judging by your description, it sounds as though Shiloh may have a skin infection or seborrheic dermatitis possibly. Without pictures and not being able to examine the area myself, it is difficult to say for sure. I would recommend having a veterinarian examine Shiloh so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. Shiloh may need an oral antibiotic and topical therapy for treatment. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is possibly due to allergies. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing her allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. A secondary infection is likely and also needs to be addressed. The cefpodoxime should help with the bacterial infection component and the prednisone should help with the itch component. There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be the issue then you are left out having to check for environmental allergies which require blood and/or skin tests. Allergies can be very frustrating to deal with at first but so rewarding at the end when we are able to treat them effectively!

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Sally may have ear canal infection if she is scratching mainly behind the ears. Excessive itchiness can be also related to skin allergies, skin infections or parasites. Please, take Sally to your local vets to check the skin and the ears and to start treatment for her.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This would actually warrant a visit to your veterinarian as this may be present due to an infection for example. I recommend you have him evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Best of luck!