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What causes tiny bumps and dry, grainy skin inside my dog's ears?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | German Shorthaired Pointer | Female | spayed | 7 years and 7 months old | 55 lbs

My German Shorthair Pointer has tiny bumps/dry skin on the inside of her ears, around the edges.(Both ears) Nothing looks irritated or inflamed, but I can feel an almost "grainy" texture. I clean her ears 2 month and she doesn't have a yeast/fungal infection. They don't smell bad either. She's had this on and off for the last couple years. She doesnt seem to be super irritated by it. She does scratch her ears, but not excessively. Just wondering what it could be? Could it just b the dry weather?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Megan, DVM, CVA

Veterinarian

Published on February 19th, 2019

Poor Penny! Without seeing them, I cannot say for sure what it may be but good news is that she isn't overly irritated by it. To know for sure, I would have your vet take a look at them in person whenever she is having a flare up. It could just be dry skin, fly bites, or if it is black and really thick (doesn't sound like this), it could be vasculitis. You could try a small amount of coconut oil on the bumps or dry skin to help soothe them. Just be careful not to get it down in the canals. I hope this helps!

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    Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on December 15th, 2017

    Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Ear margin dermatosis or vasculitis can begin looking like this and are typically conditions we see in dachshunds. Speaking from personal experience, my dachshund developed this when he was about 12 years of age. I placed him on a 3 week course of an antibiotic and steroid to help with the inflammation and it did resolve completely. Some dachshunds develop severe scarring and it may take longer for the condition to resolve for some. I would recommend having this looked at by your veterinarian so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further!

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