Home Remedies for Cat Ear Hematoma Without Surgery: Nat

If your cat's ears suddenly swell up and feel like a hot water bag when touched, it's typically a sign of an aural hematoma. An aural hematoma occurs when the small blood vessels in the ear canal rupture, leading to bleeding beneath the skin. This condition is quite common in dogs with large, pendulous ears but can also affect cats of any breed.

Many pet owners, upon discovering their cat has an aural hematoma, often seek simpler methods that can be done at home. Today, we're here to introduce some conservative treatment options for cat aural hematomas.

What is an Aural Hematoma?

An aural hematoma in cats refers to the accumulation of blood within the ear, usually caused by the rupture of blood vessels within the ear canal, leading to blood pooling between the cartilage and the skin. This can result from trauma, vigorous head shaking (such as from ear itching), or sometimes due to underlying diseases like ear mites, Malassezia infections, or bacterial infections.

Symptoms of Aural Hematoma:

The ear appears significantly larger or swollen.

It feels like a bag filled with liquid when touched.

The cat may show discomfort, frequently shake its head, or scratch at the affected ear.

In severe cases, changes in behavior or a decrease in appetite may be observed.

How to Treat Aural Hematoma in Cats?

For home treatments, conservative methods are generally recommended. Here are two common approaches:

1. Aspiration with a Syringe

First, clean the area around the hematoma with iodine to disinfect.

Then, quickly insert a syringe at a 45degree angle to puncture the skin and aspirate the fluid.

Remove the syringe, disinfect the puncture site, and apply an ear wrap to apply pressure and reduce leakage for 710 days.

Pros: Minimal scarring, low infection risk, and relatively easy to perform.

Cons: Slow results, requires repeated procedures, and prone to recurrence.

2. Incision and Drainage

Make a small incision over the hematoma to drain the fluid.

Place one or more drainage tubes to continuously remove the fluid.

Once the cartilage and blood vessels have healed, remove the drainage tubes.

Pros: No need for repeated procedures.

Cons: Requires some skill to perform and carries a risk of infection.

Important Note: During treatment, ensure your cat wears an Elizabethan collar to prevent scratching and reduce head shaking. This will also help in minimizing the fluid leakage.

For cases where conservative treatments are ineffective, surgical intervention may be necessary. The vet will make a straight or Sshaped incision on the inner side of the ear canal to release the fluid, and may not suture the area or perform a loose suture to aid in postoperative drainage. Finally, soft tubes or buttons are used to suture both sides of the ear, applying pressure to reduce fluid leakage and assist in tissue healing.

Most cases of cat aural hematomas are caused by a mix of ear mites, Malassezia, or bacterial infections. To prevent aural hematomas, regular ear cleaning is essential. Using a product like Eraser Plus (Pet Ear Care Solution) can deeply penetrate the ear canal, effectively dissolve earwax, and prevent issues like imbalances in ear canal flora or mucosal irritation.