bald spots and smelly ears

Question
My son brought me home his dog, a sharpei, to "dogsit" for a couple weeks.  I am concerned because he has very smelly ears with dark black/brown waxy substance in his ears, which has an awful odor.  It doesn't look like the coffee grounds like the ear mites I have seen before.  He does shake his head furiously, especially after I try to wipe the inside of his ears out.  In addition, he has numerous patches of bald spots all over his body.  My first thought was "mange".  He has not been seen by a vet, that I am aware of.  My fear is that he will pass something on to my Maltese and Yorkie.
I realize that my son needs to take him to the vet.  I was just wondering if you feel this is something contagious and if I should be worried about my other dogs also now since I have been dog sitting?  Should I keep the dogs separated?

Answer
Shelly-

It doesn't sound like mange, it sounds like a very bad yeast infection, which sharpeis are prone to. As you said, he does need to see a vet. I would not worry about keeping the dog seperated from yours unless you also think he has fleas or earmites, HOWEVER if this dog has never seen a vet and has not been given vaccines, then by all means keep him seperate from your dogs.

There is nothing really that will help him, without taking to the vet, and I highly recommend doing this immediatly, as this could get so bad it will become a lifetime ailment. When sharpeis get yeast infections in their skin, it has to be treated instantly, or it spreads and festers and can stay there for years. And trust me, the poor dog is in a lot of discomfort and pain.

I sure hope he sees a vet soon and feels better! Thank you for being so concerned about him!