Well turns out it has a name - Henry's pocket! Also known as a
There are at least four reasons why a dog can have sores on the ear margin: Damage caused by scratching or shaking due to an ear infection. Infestation with sarcoptic mange mites ('fox mange') Other skin problems such as allergy.
One theory is that Henry's pocket may help animals to accurately locate a sound. This is essential for a predator to give it a better chance of detecting prey, as well as predators they need to avoid. Another theory is that the pocket helps enhance sounds.
The “Henry” is the name of the standard electrical unit of inductive resistance. Perhaps because sound travels in waves, cat ears help to magnify sound waves, and it is suggested that Henry's Pockets amplify sound, that these marvelous pockets were named in honor of the illustrious Joseph Henry?
In dogs, ear-notching (cutting a chunk out of the ear and then sealing the wound with heat cautery) is the most common way of identifying stray and feral animals that have been vaccinated and surgically sterilized.
Disadvantages of ear notching
There is an increased chance of errors, mismarking and misreading, especially initially with inexperienced staff. Accidental defacing through injury or deliberate action on stolen animals is a risk. It is not legally acceptable.
However, not all dogs do. If they do, it's located at the outer base of the external ear. A Henry's pocket is more commonly found in dogs with upright, erect ears and/or thinner coats.
Only some types of dogs have this little pouch in their ear. In general, it's more common in dogs with erect ears and/or less hair. Chihuahuas, Boston terriers, corgis, and pugs are commonly known to have Henry's pockets, though not exclusively. (Almost all cats have them).
Essentially, Henry's pocket can aid in your dog bouncing off the walls when they hear a siren. The pocket might also assist in a dog's overall auditory experience, opening up when a dog angles their ears or perhaps blocking sounds if they move their ears.
On the inner side of each cat's ear, you will notice small slits which are located on the inside of the Henry's pocket. These slits are thought to help your cat with amplifying sounds while aiding in cat ear flexibility.
How do you clean a cat's Henry's pocket? Generally, there is no need to clean a cat's Henry's pocket. If for some reason it does need to be cleaned due to contact with a toxic substance, for example, use a washcloth with warm water and dishwashing soap (such as Dawn) to gently clean the area.
The scientific name for this small slit is cutaneous marginal pouch, but it's more commonly called Henry's pocket. It's nothing more than a fold of skin, but the purpose of Henry's pocket is as much of a mystery as the origin of its name.
The antitragus is located just above the earlobe and points anteriorly. It is separated from the tragus by the intertragic notch. The antitragicus muscle, an intrinsic muscle of the ear, arises from the outer part of the antitragus.
Besides the fact that they're getting our undivided attention, there are certain nerve endings in your dog's ears that are quite sensitive. Whenever these nerves are stimulated by touch, they send a signal through their body. This releases endorphins that are the “feel good” hormones.
Most dogs thoroughly enjoy a good ear rub! And you do not have to just do this when your dog has done something you want him to. Rubbing his ears while sitting on the couch watching television or reading a book can go a long way to forming a nice bond between you and your canine companion.
Ear cropping is considered mutilation, purely to make a dog look a certain way. It has no benefit to dogs and causes them nothing but pain and trauma. It also robs the dog of the ability to use their ears in communication, and can negatively impact their hearing.
Head shaking is usually involved in creating an aural hematoma. A large accumulation of blood under the skin makes the ear flap blow up like a pillow creating a thick, soft, heavy ear flap. The dog or cat senses this and shakes the ear even more creating trauma to the ear flap.
The ear pinch is a widely-used, force-based method of training that utilizes a concept known as “negative reinforcement.” Negative reinforcement means that the dog's behavior makes a bad thing go away. We pinch the ear (bad thing), the dog takes the dumbbell, the ear pinch goes away.
The outer ear includes the pinna (the part you see that is made of cartilage and covered by skin, fur, or hair) and the ear canal. The pinna is shaped to capture sound waves and funnel them through the ear canal to the eardrum. In dogs, the pinnae are mobile and can move independently of each other.
In animal anatomy, Henry's pocket, more formally known as a cutaneous marginal pouch, is a fold of skin forming an open pouch on the lower posterior part of the external ear. The pocket is situated in the approximate location of the antitragus in the human ear.
The Pocket Pitbull is a designer dog, a deliberate cross between the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Patterdale Terrier, two terrier breeds that are recognized by the United Kennel Club in England, but not yet by the American Kennel Club.
Exhaled air is expelled through dog nose slits. The slits prevent scents from exiting with the air, and keeps them inside the nose instead. When air flows out of the dog nose slits, it also creates a swirling effect that helps with the sampling of new odors.
Whiskers are specifically tuned sensory equipment that guide a dog through daily activities. These specialized hairs aid vision and help a dog navigate his environment by providing additional sensory input, much like antennae on insects. Although whiskers are called “tactile hairs,” they do not actually feel anything.
Blunt or round: Sharply erect ears with a smooth curve (French Bulldog). Drop or pendant: Classic hanging ears (Basset Hound). V-shaped: V-shaped ear hanging down. Cocked or semi-pricked: Neither fully erect nor pendant (pit bull breeds).
Dog breeds that commonly grow excessive, long hair in their ear canals include the poodle (and crosses), the shih-tzu, Bichon Frise, and the Lhasa Apso.