If the eyes are the windows to the soul, then the ears are its curtains: A dog’s ears frame her face and highlight her expression, whether they are simple Roman shades or frilly swags that would make Scarlett O’Hara blush. In other words, in addition to serving a utilitarian purpose that is very important, they also serve a decorative purpose. Imagine my shock when I saw what appeared to be a frankfurter growing on the edge of my handsome old Rhodesian Ridgeback, Blitz. Blitz, he of the two gorgeously symmetrical triangles held crisply and smartly against his graying face.
It was discovered that the purple lump was actually an aural hematoma. Hematomas, which are an accumulation of blood in the ear flap caused by a broken blood vessel, are frequent in drop-eared breeds like mine, though they can happen in dogs with any type of ear. They are thought to be brought on by head shaking, which can damage the pinna, the relatively delicate tissue of the ear flap.
The good news about hematomas is that they eventually disappear if untreated. Even though they appear to be about to burst, they won’t, and the dog is unharmed other than having to put up with the discomfort of a sizable blood blister pressing against her ear. (There is a wide range of opinion regarding the level of pain that canine ear hematomas cause, and the only people who can say with certainty aren’t talking. ).
The bad news is that letting nature run its course can have aesthetic repercussions: As the blood-filled ear flap heals and contracts, scar tissue frequently forms, causing thickening and wrinkling that often make it obvious that it differs from its non-clotted counterpart. Boxers (the pugilists, not the canines) can develop “cauliflower ear” in which their battered outer ears can become swollen and misshapen, mimicking the texture of the vegetable that gave the condition its name.
I visited a veterinarian with extensive knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine for Blitz’s condition. But acupuncture and herbs were not options in this case. The vet smiled and said, “Chinese medicine is good for a lot of things. “But not everything. He advised us to do so because it was his preferred method of treating aural hematomas. When the hematoma in Blitz’s ear finally disappeared, it was slightly thicker and smaller than before. Not an ideal outcome, but not a terrible one, either.
There are many different ways to treat aural hematomas, but none of them are perfect, seems to be the prevailing theme. The main difficulty is that the hematoma separates the skin from the ear cartilage in a manner akin to a calzone, to use another example from food. The ear shrivels and develops an unattractive shape because it can’t get those layers to reattach.
Below are some methods for treating hematomas. Some are tried-and-true methods that most veterinarians will be familiar with, while others are relatively new techniques that aim to maximize the effort to get the skin and cartilage to start communicating again. One method has been used since the time of the Pharaohs, at least on humans. But keep in mind that you don’t have to do anything; you can choose to do nothing and the frankfurter won’t turn into a cauliflower. Your dog probably couldn’t care less.
Holistic medicine has excruciatingly few options for treating hematomas quickly so as to prevent scarring for people who like to use complementary and alternative medicine in their dog’s healthcare. The homeopathic remedies hypernicum and arnica have “pretty good success,” according to Shawn Messonnier, DVM, of Paws & Claws Animal Hospital in Plano, Texas, in treating smaller hematomas that occupy one-fourth or less of the ear. When hematomas are very small, he says, “those remedies will frequently help resolve them.” But homeopathy may be less effective as time goes on and the hematoma starts to clot and harden.
Some professionals hypothesize that the blood blister may be a part of an allergic reaction because eosinophils (a type of white blood cell) and mast cell infiltrations have been observed in hematomas. Although a 2011 review of treatments for canine aural hematomas for the Evidence-Based Veterinary Medical Association found the effectiveness of steroids in resolving hematomas and preventing their recurrence to be inconclusive, veterinarians who only practice conventional medicine occasionally prescribe steroids such as prednisone to reduce inflammation. Some medical professionals employ cold laser therapy to help shrink the hematoma and eliminate inflammatory cells.
When To Worry About A Hematoma
There are three main circumstances in which an ear hematoma worsens.
Your options might be a little more limited in these circumstances. But the hematoma is still treatable.
What Causes Ear Hematomas In Dogs?
Hematomas are the result of trauma. The most frequent traumas that result in ear hematomas are head shaking or excessive scratching. Therefore, if your dog is experiencing…, he may be more susceptible to developing a hematoma.
Another source of discomfort that results in excessive head shaking and scratching is foreign objects inside the ear.
Bite wounds that do not break the skin are a further frequent reason for ear hematomas.
What is the treatment for an aural hematoma?
The best course of action is typically surgery because it can permanently remove the hematoma and has the best chance of minimizing scarring.
The underlying cause of the aural hematoma must also be treated, so if your dog has an ear infection, that issue must be taken care of as well.
FAQ
Should I drain my dogs ear hematoma?
Do not force your dog to allow you to clean the area if it is in too much pain. If your dog agrees, apply light pressure to the area to encourage full drainage. To prevent the pocket from re-filling, you can also wrap a soft bandage around your dog’s head while keeping the ear flap flat against the head.
What can I do for my dogs ear hematoma?
When treating some aural hematomas, the hematoma is drained and a steroid is injected into the pocket. Be ready to visit your veterinarian again for a few appointments as repeated draining is frequently required. Oral steroids are often recommended as well.
Can you drain an ear hematoma?
It’s critical to identify and treat auricular hematomas because they can cause cartilage destruction and ear deformity if left untreated. Treatment involves drainage and evacuation of the hematoma.
Can I aspirate my dogs ear hematoma?
Aural hematomas are common and easily managed. It is crucial to simultaneously treat the underlying cause, which is an ear infection. There are several options for treatment, including aspiration, which entails injecting a needle and syringe into the hematoma to remove the blood.