Red dots on the top of the ears... where from?

[Crested]

Could it be that the ears were cold and they were freezing? I put cortizone on them and they got a lot better, but there is a little sign of the red dots still. (the dots were even a bit swollen)

I'll try and get a few pictures of the ears if I can...

/Crest

[Crested]

Ok, it's not a good picture... But I hope you see the red swollen dots. It's much better now, but I still wonder what is causing it...
Could it be frostbite?

/Crest

[Crested]

That looks a lot like it! :o :(

So you don't think it's just the cold?

I just can't think of what would cause it!!

/Crest

[alicat613]

It looks like a staph infection. Keep him clean and dry. You can use a witch hazel in alcohol or peroxide on a Q-tip to spot treat. Is it anywhere else on his body? It might also be yeast growth, in which case raw apple cider vinegar would be best. Both treatments can be used with no harm. You might consider adding grape seed or other citrus seed extract in his food. I would also add some garlic and fish oils in small amounts to help him with his immune system and skin.

Please don't be so free with the cortisone! Using it just a few times actually permanently thins the skin! It also has many other side effects and should be used as a last resort only IMO.

[Crested]

alicat: The spots in Ben's ears look exacly like the spots on the page that K sent.
(the picture on the right)
He doesn't have them anywhere else on his body. Just on the tip of his ears.
I have never heard that cortisone can be harmfull for dogs. I've put 2,5% hydrocortisone (I don't know if you can get it anywhere else then in finland) on the tip of his ears and they have actually got a bit better. (I don't use much of it)
On the box of the hydrocortison it says (contains)

Alcohol certyl,
et stearyl. emulsifians A,
Alcohol certyl.,
Cholesterol., Vaselin. alb.,
Paraffin. liq. et
Propylenglycol. q.s.
Aq. purif. ad 1g

I use it on myself too so I didn't see that it even could harm Ben. And he seems to like it. Every time I take it out he starts licking his muzzle like he would want to say: "Oh, yummy! I finally get to eat that!" (even though I never let him eat it :lol:)

/Crest

[alicat613]

Just because you've never heard of the risks, doesn't mean they aren't there. Don't expect doctors, vets, or the general public to inform you - do your own research!

http://www.wholedane.com/health/steroid.html
http://www.communitylink.koz.com/servlet/lvrj_ProcServ/dbpage=page&GID=00027000000960304812692687&PG=01305001051018386819765735 (many links at bottom)
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/cortisne_ad.htm
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/cortisne_wcp.htm
http://www.dermnetnz.org/index.html

The risks and side effects of cortisone should be kept in mind and only used when advised by a medical doctor as a last resort in my opinion.