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An ear or aural hematoma in dogs is a blood-filled bubble in the dog’s ear. It can be caused by infection or the presence of mites or itchy skin, which causes the dog to continuously shake its head or scratch at the site. As well as a droopy earflap, typical signs include pain and redness around the hematoma, regular scratching of the area, and head shaking.
The blood will need to be drained and the vet will look for the underlying cause of the hematoma, to treat that condition and prevent it from recurring. Once treated, your dog should be fine within a week or so but, in the meantime, you will need to ensure the area is kept clean and that you give your dog any medication as prescribed by their vet.
What Is Aural Hematoma in Dogs?
The pinna, which is commonly referred to as the earflap, is a layer of cartilage between two layers of skin. Just below the layers of skin are blood vessels. When there is irritation within the ear canal or at the area of the earflap, a dog will scratch the ear or shake its head to try and shift the irritation. This can lead to the breaking of blood vessels which causes blood to gather between the cartilage and skin. The blood continues to build up and is called an aural hematoma or ear hematoma.
The hematoma can spread across the entire pinna or may only be present in a small area. It will look swollen and inflamed and will be painful to touch. Left untreated, aural hematomas can cause disfigurement of the ear.
The ear scratching or head shaking that causes the bursting of the blood vessels is most commonly caused by an injury to the ear, mites in or around the ear, or some type of ear infection. As such, as well as treating the hematoma itself, your vet will want to identify the original cause and treat this, too.
What Are the Signs of an Aural Hematoma?
- Discomfort – Your dog will show signs of discomfort. They may find it uncomfortable to touch or have their ears touched. This means your dog may back away if you get too close to the ears or cry if you do touch them.
- Swelling and Redness – A hematoma is essentially a small bubble of blood in your dog’s ear, around or on the earflap. As bleeding occurs under the skin, this causes swelling which, combined with scratching or fussing with the area, will also lead to it becoming red and swollen.
- Head shaking – Your dog will be able to feel the hematoma and will shake its head in a bid to try and shake off the uncomfortable feeling. This could have been the cause of the hematoma in the first place, too.
- Ear scratching – Another possible cause of the hematoma is your dog scratching at the pinna. And this too can present as a sign that your dog’s ear needs treatment. Scratching will likely be painful and may be accompanied by crying and whining.
What Are the Causes of an Aural Hematoma?
An aural hematoma is caused by bleeding under the skin around the pinna or earflap. The bleeding is often caused by your dog shaking its head or scratching the area, and the cause of this shaking or scratching may be:
- Injury or infection – Any type of injury could cause your dog to scratch at the injury site or the injury itself may have become infected. Common causes of injuries include bites from other dogs, or even scratches caused by brushing against plants and other obstacles. Ear infections can also lead to hem
- Skin irritation – Skin conditions can also cause your dog to itch uncontrollably. These might be caused by allergic reactions to food or other treats, environmental factors, or poor hygiene. A reaction to shampoo or other treatment might cause your dog’s skin to dry out, which can lead to irritation and scratching. It can also be caused by fleas, mites, or other parasites.
- Mites – Ear mites are quite common in dogs. These tiny white mites live in the ear and cause irritation that manifests as scratching and head shaking, both of which can lead to hematoma.
How Do I Care for a Dog with an Aural Hematoma?
Aural hematomas need to be drained and treated and this needs to be done by a vet, which means the first step is to take your dog to the vet. The vet will want to drain the blood from the hematoma and will also look to identify the original cause of the problem. They will check for mites and fleas and may look for possible allergies that could have caused skin irritation.
Often, multiple visits to the vet will be required because it can take several attempts to fully drain the site. Furthermore, the vet will want to see your dog after a couple of days to ensure that the drain site is healing properly. Any stitches and bandages will also need removing, and this will also be done during a follow-up visit.
When you get your dog home after the initial visit, you need to ensure that the area is kept clean and clear of debris. You should also prevent your dog from scratching at the bandages or around the area of the ear. You will need to give any medication that your vet has prescribed, which may include painkillers, antibiotics, or other medication to help combat the original cause of the problem.
It is common for the hematoma to leak a small amount of blood, but if there is excess blood seepage or your pup experiences any unexpected problems after a few days, contact your vet immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Happens If an Aural Hematoma Is Left Untreated?
Although they are not generally considered life-threatening, hematomas do need treating. In time, the blood may be absorbed back into the area around the site, but this can leave the dog with a “cauliflower ear” and may cause pain.
Is an Aural Hematoma an Emergency?
An aural hematoma is not considered an emergency because it isn’t life-threatening. However, it does need treatment, can cause pain and discomfort, and it will be easier to treat, the sooner it is identified and looked at by a vet. Therefore, you should make an appointment with the vet as soon as possible.
Should I Drain My Dog’s Aural Hematoma?
You shouldn’t drain your dog’s hematoma yourself and should leave it for a vet to do it effectively. Home treatment can lead to further infection, and it is unlikely to address the initial cause of the problem, which means the hematoma can return in the future.
Conclusion
An ear hematoma is a collection of blood that forms between the cartilage and the skin around the earflap. It is usually caused by your dog scratching at the site or violently shaking its head and arises as a result of injury, infection, skin irritation, or something else that irritates the site.
While the blood can be absorbed back into the area, if left untreated, this will leave the dog with a cauliflower ear and the problem may reemerge later. It also means that the initial cause of the problem will not be identified and treated. Veterinary treatment typically consists of draining and stitching, although it may also involve a steroid injection.
Featured Image Credit: Sathmini Wijethunga, Shutterstock
