![]() ![]() Needle aspiration, which will confirm that the fluid in the pocket is blood.Įxamination of the ear canal to check for signs of infection, parasites, and/or foreign bodies lodged in the ear canal. The initial evaluation may include, but is not limited to, the following tests: So the next step after a physical exam is to focus on the reason behind the head-shaking and/or scratching. What’s more important when determining treatment is understanding what caused the hematoma in the first place. The hematoma itself is easily identifiable and not difficult for a veterinarian to diagnose by visual examination. The vast majority of aural hematomas are caused by infection or allergies. Yeast infection or another type of bacterial infection The space between the ear cartilage and skin fills up with blood and fluid, causing the ear to swell rather quickly, and forming a balloon-like nodule on the dog’s ear.Īny breed of dog can develop ear hematomas, but those with larger ear flaps are more susceptible, because the ear flaps slap against the skull when the head is shaking.īut what triggered the head-shaking and scratching, which in turn caused the hematoma to form? There are a number of underlying conditions that could be the culprit: The tissue of the ear flap (or “pinna”) is very thin, and when it’s injured, the blood vessels can break. Your pet may have to wear a head bandage and/or a buster collar to prevent shaking or scratching.Īlthough performing the surgery minimises the chances of the aural haematoma reoccurring it does not rule it out completely and regular checking and cleaning of your pet’s ears would be beneficial to help prevent future aural haematomas.An ear hematoma in dogs can be caused by aggressive head-shaking and/or scratching. The sutures are usually left in for 2-3 weeks.Īny treatment recommended by your vet should be carried out during this healing period and minimal head shaking should be allowed. The haematoma is lanced and drained with the placement of sutures and stents to prevent refilling. This involves giving your pet a general anaesthetic. Once the fluid has been drained off a steroid is injected into the empty space where the fluid collected. Occasionally sedation may be required to do this as the ear can be inflamed and sore. Your veterinary surgeon may recommend draining the aural haematoma using a syringe and needle. This is an option for smaller haematomas in dogs where the cosmetic appearance of the ear is not a consideration. This would involve leaving the aural haematoma to resolve on its own. Options for treatment of aural haematomas Your veterinary surgeon will need to treat the underlying cause to help prevent the aural haematoma from reoccurring or increasing in size. They can occur in both cats and dogs but are most commonly seen in dogs. The blood vessels in the ear break, filling the space in the ear flap with blood. This can be caused by an ear infection (otitis externa) or fleas. The most common cause of an aural haematoma is trauma from constant head shaking or ear scratching. How you can support your pet’s mental healthĪural haematoma is an accumulation of blood which collects between the cartilages of the ear flap.Advice for pet owners and COVID-19 (Coronavirus).
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