Quick Tips to Eliminate Dog Ear Hematomas: Solve It Fas

Pay close attention if you notice your furry friend frequently shaking their head and scratching at their ears. These seemingly minor behaviors could lead to a condition known as aural hematoma, which occurs when blood vessels in the ear rupture and cause blood to pool between the ear's skin and cartilage. While aural hematomas may not pose significant issues in their early stages, neglecting them can lead to serious health complications for your canine companion. So, how should you treat aural hematomas in dogs? Let's delve into the details today.

What is an Aural Hematoma?

An aural hematoma is a condition where the ear of a dog swells up due to blood accumulating between the ear's skin and cartilage after a blood vessel has ruptured. This pooling of blood can make the ear feel spongy and movable when touched. Typically, dogs with large, droopy ears, such as:

Border Collies

Hounds

Chihuahuas

are more prone to aural hematomas. If left untreated, these hematomas can cause severe pain and may lead to infections or ear deformities if the pet scratches the area excessively.

Why Do Aural Hematomas Occur?

1. Ear Infections: Conditions like otitis media, otitis externa, allergies, and parasitic infections can lead to inflammation and subsequent hematomas.

2. Physical Injury: Dogs may sustain ear injuries during play or fights, which can trigger the development of a hematoma.

How to Treat Aural Hematomas?

1. Conservative Treatment

For minor cases of aural hematoma, conservative treatments can be effective, including:

Applying ice packs to the hematoma area to constrict blood vessels and reduce blood leakage and pooling.

Monitoring the hematoma's progression, as small hematomas may resolve on their own.

For larger hematomas, aspiration may be performed, where fluid is gradually removed from the ear canal and replaced with corticosteroids like triamcinolone or dexamethasone to reduce inflammation.

During treatment, it's crucial to fit your dog with an Elizabethan collar to prevent them from scratching their ears. Additionally, use a pet ear cleaning solution like Ear Cleanse for Pets to regularly clean your dog's ears, removing earwax and inflammatory secretions.

Here's how to clean your dog's ears:

Apply a sufficient amount of ear cleaning solution into your dog's ear, gently massaging the base to soften earwax.

Let your dog shake their head to remove excess solution.

Use a medical cotton ball to carefully wipe the ear clean.

2. Surgical Treatment

For larger hematomas or cases that do not respond to conservative treatment, surgery may be necessary. There are two common surgical methods:

Making a small incision over the hematoma, inserting a drain to remove blood, and monitoring the bleeding until no new fluid is present before removing the drain.

Making a longitudinal incision in the hematoma, draining the blood, and suturing the ear flaps together to reduce the cavity. This method requires general anesthesia and is not suitable for older or weaker dogs.

How to Prevent Aural Hematomas?

Prevention is always better than cure. Here are some preventive measures:

Regular ear cleaning: Use a petspecific ear cleaning solution to keep your dog's ears clean and reduce earwax and bacterial buildup.

Regular deworming: Ensure your dog is free from parasites like ear mites and fleas that can cause excessive head shaking and ear scratching.

Regular checkups: Frequently inspect your dog's ears to catch and address any issues early on.

Aural hematomas are common, but with proper attention and care, you can effectively prevent their occurrence. If you suspect your dog has an aural hematoma, seeking veterinary care promptly is essential. Early detection and treatment of smaller hematomas are often less costly and have a lower risk of recurrence, so remember to be vigilant and proactive in your dog's ear health.