Liz Buchanan BVSc MRCVS
Keymaster
Hello - that sounds to be very uncomfortable for your dog. It is unsurprising that the ears are affected as well as the skin; we tend to think of the two as different diseases but actually, ears are simply a sensitive, skin-lined hole and very susceptible to skin disease. There are various potential causes of the symptoms you describe, including fleas / mites and other parasites, but allergies are very common in this breed and a displaced response to pain is a surprisingly common cause of itching too. Your vet has two jobs: to make your dog more comfortable and to identify the underlying cause of the scratching- what is making them itch? Its common for clients to think 'oh its only skin deep' but actually, skin disease can be one of the most frustrating problems to control and is unlikely to resolved by your vet in a single consultation; it is worth being ready for that. Some dogs benefit from regular baths / foorbaths, particularly in cases where the skin is picking up allergens. However, a german sheperd can damage its skin very quickly and an early veterinary appointment is recommended.
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