Aural hematoma treatment5/1/2023 ![]() The surgery for an aural hematoma involves a vet making a small incision to open and then drain the blood blister.Īfter that, many small sutures (stitches) are placed to close the blood pocket - this helps to prevent blood from accumulating again. SPEAK TO OUR SURGERY CONCIERGE - IT’S FREE What does the surgery entail? But these small hematomas are much less common than the big ones. In some cases, particularly with very small hematomas, your vet may even recommend waiting and monitoring. The blood clots will be too big to fit through the needle. However, this is not ideal because aural hematomas usually come back without a surgery (the ear flap could even swell up again that same day!).Īlso, if blood clots are already present inside the blood pocket, it will be difficult - maybe even impossible - for your vet to remove the swelling via a needle. ![]() If the hematoma is mild/small, or if surgery is not a treatment option (for example, if your pet isn’t healthy enough for anesthesia), your veterinarian may try draining the hematoma with a large needle. Is surgery really necessary? Can’t hematomas be drained or heal on their own? ![]() What is the treatment for an aural hematoma?Ī surgery is usually best because it can provide a permanent solution for the hematoma, and surgery has the best chance of preventing scars.Īdditionally, it’s crucial to treat the underlying cause of the aural hematoma - so if your dog has an ear infection, that needs to be addressed, too. In some cases, your veterinarian may take a needle sample to confirm there is blood in the swollen area, and to rule out other conditions that would need a different treatment - for example, a mass on the skin or swelling due to a bee sting. The appearance and feel of the ear tell your vet a lot, especially if an ear infection is also present. How is an aural hematoma diagnosed?ĭiagnosis is usually straight forward. However, other dogs - especially droopy-eared breeds like Basset Hounds and Cocker Spaniels that are at a great risk for ear infections and ear problems - may need frequent ear cleanings with special ear maintenance solutions. Some pups might only need an occasional ear cleaning. Since scratching and head shaking from an ear issue are by far the most common cause, the best way to prevent ear hematomas is by keeping your pet’s ears clean and healthy.Īsk your vet for advice on your pet’s ears because care instructions may vary a lot from dog to dog. Less commonly, health conditions that cause blood clotting abnormalities can also lead to a blood pocket formation in the ear flap. For example, this could happen during vigorous play, if your pup runs through bushes and their ear gets scraped by a sharp branch, or following a bite wound on the ear flap from another dog or a wild animal. For that reason, your vet will take a close look inside your pet’s ears.Īural hematomas can also develop from an accidental bump or injury to the ear flap. The most common type of ear flap trauma is from a dog repeatedly scratching their ear and shaking their head, due to an ear infection, allergic skin condition, ear mites, or a foreign body lodged in the ear canal. In almost all cases, some sort of trauma or injury is to blame - that’s what causes the blood vessels between the ear cartilage and skin to break and leak. Suspect your pet has an aural hematoma? Book a vet visit. More than likely, your pup will object to you touching it, since the pressure can be painful. For larger hematomas, the whole ear flap will be engorged, and the weight of the collection of blood may cause the ear flap to droop and hang lower than usual.Īn ear hematoma may feel squishy or taut to the touch. If the lesion is confined to just one part of the pinna, the swelling may be small. With an ear hematoma, your dog’s ear flap will be swollen. The condition occurs when trauma or an injury to the ear flap causes the small blood vessels inside the pinna to break and leak internally, resulting in a blood-filled swelling. It’s very common in dogs who are prone to ear infections, especially if they have floppy ears rather than ears that stand straight up. An aural hematoma, also known as an ear hematoma, is a blood blister that develops between the skin and cartilage of the “pinna” (ear flap).
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