One minute Fido seems fine. The next, he’s whining in pain and his ear is suddenly swollen. A dog ear hematoma, also known as an aural hematoma, is frightening for both your pooch and you. It looks and sounds scary, but do you really need to worry? Here’s what you need to know.
What Is a Hematoma?
“A hematoma is blood collected under the skin of a dog’s ear flap,” says Dr. Michael Herman, a veterinarian at Pet Medical Center in Vero Beach, Florida. “They can occur in cats also, but it’s much more common in dogs.”
The tissue of the ear flap, or pinna, is very thin. When it’s injured, blood vessels break, filling the area between the ear cartilage and skin with blood. This causes the ear to swell. “The swelling can occur very quickly — within minutes of the blood vessel breaking,” Dr. Herman says.
What Causes Hematomas?
Itching is a big culprit, according to Dr. Herman. He says dog ear hematomas are usually the result of an injury to the ear, which is often self-caused through scratching. Allergies, ear mites, ear infections, bites to the area, or something stuck in the ear are commonly found along with dog ear hematomas, Dr. Herman explains.
What Should You Look For?
“If your dog gets a hematoma, you’ll know it,” Dr. Herman says. The swelling of the ear is extremely noticeable. The condition is very painful for your dog, especially when it’s touched. The American College of Veterinary Surgeons says a cauliflower ear may start to appear, so look for any weird shapes forming on your pooch’s ears.
Are They Serious?
Hematomas are a minor condition. But treatment is still needed. “The pain will go away after a few days. However, the ear may become permanently disfigured without veterinary care,” says Dr. Herman.
What’s the Proper Treatment?
Dr. Herman says it’s best to bring your dog in to the vet for treatment right away. “Your dog will be in pain, so the sooner treatment begins, the sooner he’ll feel better.”
Treatment varies depending on the size of the swollen area and how long it has been present. “It usually involves a minor surgery in which the veterinarian makes an incision to drain the blood from the ear,” says Dr. Jackie Bruce, a veterinarian at Tampa Veterinary Hospital. “The skin is then stitched back up.” Your vet might use medical tape instead of stitches, or she might use a syringe to draw out the pooled blood, avoiding an incision, Dr. Bruce adds.
“Hematoma surgery is a very minor procedure, and sedation will be used to ensure your dog isn’t in pain during it,” Dr. Herman says. You will be instructed on treating the surgery site and will schedule a follow-up appointment with the vet. The vet will also treat your dog for any underlying conditions, such as ear mites, infections, or clogged ear canals.
Are Certain Breeds at Greater Risk for Dog Ear Hematomas?
“Dogs with ears that hang down are at a great risk for hematomas. When they shake their heads, the ears go along for the ride, which can cause trauma,” Dr. Herman explains. Labradors, golden retrievers, Dalmatians, beagles, basset hounds and cocker spaniels are a few of the droopy-eared breeds prone to the condition.
Dr. Herman adds that dogs who have frequent ear infections or other chronic ear problems are also at higher risk, but any dog can develop a hematoma. Ear mites, which can cause a hematoma, can happen to a dog of any age, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
The best way to prevent your four-legged friend from developing a dog ear hematoma is to monitor ear health. Make sure you and the dog sitter check ears for discharge or debris regularly, and have your dog checked out if she scratches at her ear often. The name sounds scary, but if a hematoma occurs, your vet will make sure your dog is well taken care of.
For more, learn How to Deal with a Dog Ear Infection.
Rachael Moshman is a Florida freelance writer and has owned dogs her whole life. Her current pet is a floppy-eared rescue dog named Ellie, the Terrier Terror.
* This article is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be providing medical advice and is not a substitute for such advice. The reader should always consult a health care provider concerning any medical condition or treatment plan. Neither Care.com nor the author assumes any responsibility or liability with respect to use of any information contained herein.
