Why would a dog lose fur on the ears?
The most common reasons for dogs to lose fur on their ears are external parasites, dermatitis and skin trauma. Hair loss can also be caused by hereditary factors and allergens, although it is rare that hair loss for these reasons would be restricted to the ears.AlopeciaAlopecia is the medical term for hair loss of any kind. The dog owner’s veterinarian may use this term in diagnosis.External ParasitesEar mites are an external parasite that live in the ear canal. These mites are irritating to the dog and may cause the dog to scratch at its ears. Demodectic mites are almost always present in dogs; they are problematic only when the population gets out of control. Hair loss on the tips of the ears is often diagnostic of a mite known as Sarcoptes scabei (commonly called “scabies” or simply “mange”).DermatitisInflammation of the skin is known as “dermatitis.” Dermatitis is often caused by bacterial or fungal infections. The most common fungal infection that affects dogs’ ears is “Microsporu
