Hi All, we have a Bullmastiff called Virgil (not my fault, with the name) and he gets scabby patches inside and along the edge of his ears. We have visited the vet on numerous occasion but are always given anti-biotics with no difference in his ears. Just to add, when he gets up from a sleep he always shakes his head. The patches don't seem to bother him, he never tries to scratch or rub. Thanks

Have you treated for mites? The scabs may well be from the scratching and not a problem in its self.

Thanks Nova, he does not scratch, we originally thought mites but after treatment still there. Thanks

But you say the vet gave you AB not an insecticide, that is what you need if there are mites or other types of livestock deep in the ear. .

Occassionally mine have dry ears(normally only the older ones) I use baby oil every now and again this does the trick.

Try massaging with olive oil- if it is just flaky skin this may help. Could he be allergic to something you are using on the ear eg shampoo?

My Akita had this.  His skin would get so bad round the tips that the skin would peel off and take the hair with it, leaving him looking like a scabby wreck.  He had other issues like no enamel on his teeth and severe OCD in his elbows.  Turned out to be wet exzema and the vet would prescribe a steriod cream for when he had flare ups.  Saying that, the skin on him was never dried-out, it was always damp/sweaty.

Bullmastiffs unfortunatly are known to have bad ears from time to time (becasue they flop down), iv never come accross crusty ears before though, I also wonder if it is ear mites or if a secondary infection has got in. Mum has used a ointment you can get from the vet called Surolan which you massaged into the infected area specifically for bacteria, fungal and ear mite infection it is also anti- inflammatory, ask you vet about it.

Thanks