Maybe Sick Piggy

Question
First off, thank you very much for taking the time to read this.  My piggy's name is Dahli and its a she.  She lives alone, although she does make contact with a white german shepherd dog through the bars of her cage (they often touch noses, we beleave the dog thinks she is a puupy.  Their both completely white).  Oh, and a cat will occasionly jump up on top of her cage, but she just hides in her home when that happens.  She is about 6 months old.  We use brown Carefresh and Dahli is eating and drinking fine.  Our concern is that one off her ears is hard and slightly crusty.  Its been this way for about 2 weeks.  It doesn't affect her balance, so we don't think its an infection.  Could a fungus be causing this, or is it something more serious?  and and ideas on how we should treat this if it is a problem.  the other people at the pet store the owner works at don't know what it is.  Any help would be appeciated.

Answer
Hello Brian,

It could be a fungus. It could also just be dry skin. My white and light colored piggies tend to get dry ears sometimes, especially in the winter. It could also be a bit of earwax build up. Try soaking it in warm water with a bit of mild baby shampoo and cleaning it off. If it cleans off and the ear underneath the crustiness looks healthy, it's like just earwax (my whites tend to have issues with this on occassion too). If you are still concerned it is a fungus, or if it gets worse or seems itchy, take her to the vet to have it checked out. Good luck!

-kkat
www.geocities.com/abyssinianguineapigs