[SOLVED ] Q. My 8y old lab has a hematoma that cover a good portion of her left ear. It doesn't appear to be causing her pain. Will it reabsorb if we are...

patient?

Experienced and professional animal trainer provide their insights in answering this question :

A. It may well resolve over time but this could result in significant scarring of the ear which can affect movement and reduce air circulation in the ear long term and making future ear problems more likely. It is also very important that you get treatment for the existing problem which has caused this hematoma and your vet can then advise on long term prevention strategies also

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If you let a hematoma heal on its own, the blood will eventually reabsorb. This can happen in as short as 10 days for minor hematomas. Larger hematomas may take weeks or months to disappear. There`s also the possibility that scar tissue will cause lifelong deformity, leading to cauliflower ear.

A dog`s ear hematoma is excruciatingly painful, and the severe swelling might be frightening, it can heal on its own if left untreated, but this might take weeks, leaving your pet feeling pain through the process.

Without treatment, a hematoma will eventually decrease in size and form scar tissue. However, for the reasons mentioned below, it`s not recommended to leave a hematoma untreated: This can be very painful for your pet. Until the hematoma heals, the swelling, pressure, and weight of the hematoma may cause discomfort.

If left untreated, the hematoma may be slowly reabsorbed but the associated inflammation will cause damage to the surrounding ear tissues resulting in a distorted, cauliflower-shaped ear that could obstruct the ear canal. Aural hematomas are very painful and, for an affected dog`s welfare, should be treated promptly.

The healing time for hematoma removal is about two weeks. While your pup may be sore for the first few days following surgery, your vet will give you pet-friendly medications and inflammation medicine to help.

The swelling and pain of the hematoma will go away. This takes from 1 to 4 weeks, depending on the size of the hematoma. The skin over the hematoma may turn bluish then brown and yellow as the blood is dissolved and absorbed. Usually, this only takes a couple of weeks but can last months.

In order to treat the hematoma, your vet will most likely try to treat the underlying cause first, to prevent the possibility of another hematoma forming on the same or opposite ear. Many veterinarians will recommend conservative care, using at-home warm compresses and/or anti-inflammatories or other pain medications.

Symptoms of Ear Hematomas in Dogs & Cats

An ear hematoma will cause part of the ear to appear puffy and swollen and may feel warm to the touch. It`s likely to get bigger quickly because the ear is filled with blood, and is probably most visible from the inner side of the ear.

Any bruise or other hematoma of the skin that increases in size over time could also present a danger. If a clot from a hematoma reenters the bloodstream, it can block an artery, cutting off blood flow to part of the body. Without prompt treatment, this can result in permanent tissue damage.

The Importance of Treating a Hematoma

The preferred method of treatment involves surgery to correct aural hematomas. The procedure is usually best because it can provide permanent solutions and prevents scars from forming on the ear. The chances of a hematoma returning if it is been treated by surgery are very slim.

There aren`t any home treatment options for ear hematomas in dogs because they`re usually due to an ear infection, which requires a vet visit, Dr. McCullough says. You should never take matters into your own hands — ever. “Pet parents should not try to release the trapped fluid themselves,” she says.

There are no safe ways to get rid of a hematoma on a dog`s ear at home. You need to visit a veterinarian to remove an ear hematoma. You can also leave the ear hematoma to heal on its own, but you need to visit a vet to treat the underlying cause of the hematoma, otherwise it`s likely to come back.

Massage of a hematoma should only be done if your veterinarian recommends it. It is most helpful after your dog has already had surgical treatment. Your vet might ask you to massage your dog`s ear periodically to keep the hematoma from filling back up with blood. However, only do this with clean hands.

Some of the main causes include: ear infection, allergy, insect bites, build up, ear mites and ear hematoma. It is important to keep a close eye on it and contact your veterinarian right away so that your pet can get the proper treatment.

An ear hematoma is a fluid-filled filled swelling of the ear flap. More common in dogs with long floppy ears, ear hematomas can occur suddenly and get quite large in size. The swelling may cover part or all of the ear flap. Hematomas are sometimes referred to as a blood blister.

Mild hematomas and contusions will usually heal in about five days. A large hematoma may last weeks to months and as it heals it will change color and slowly shrink.

Fifteen minutes of massage almost immediately decreased the volume of the hematoma. The modified Monro-Kellie doctrine tells us that a slight decrease in the volume of a hematoma will cause a dramatic improvement in the intracranial pressure (ICP) [13].

The cost of ear hematoma surgery for dogs can range between $300 and $2,500 due to the various factors that are taken into consideration with the procedure, including the location and size of the hematoma. It`s important to check with your dog`s vet on what you`ll be charged for before agreeing to the surgery.

Auricular hematomas are an uncommon but serious ENT emergency that if not treated properly can lead to cartilage destruction and cauliflower ear. Take Away #2: If there are additional findings or concerns, then you may want to do more testing.

Several different dog ear hematoma treatments exist to reduce the swelling. In some cases, when medical management is attempted, medications such as steroids, antibiotics, and/or pain relievers may be used. These may also be used in combination with surgical treatment, such as ear drainage or an incision.

Rest and protect the bruised area. Put ice or a cold pack on the area for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Prop up the bruised area on a pillow when you ice it or anytime you sit or lie down during the next 3 days. Try to keep it above the level of your heart.

Soft-tissue hematomas are a common clinical entity often associated with trauma, surgery, and bleeding disorders. In the majority of cases, soft-tissue hematomas acutely appear and spontaneously resolve, but sometimes, they present as swellings that slowly expand and progressively increase with time.

Normally the haematoma gets completely absorbed but if it is large, the blood may not be completely resorbed in which case it becomes encapsulated by a fibrous wall forming a chronic swelling. Rarely, these swellings slowly expand³^,⁶ and can be mistaken for a soft tissue malignancy.

It is unusual for an ear hematoma to pop, but it occasionally happens. Your dog probably felt some immediate relief – the pressure from the fluid build-up has been removed, and the blood can drain.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

Q. One of my pet’s ears seems very irritated. What I can use to clean it with?

ANSWER : A. Ear Irritation can be caused by a number of things ranging from allergies, ear infections or even mites. Dirty ears can also cause irritation and problems. Knowing the type of problem is best for figuring out how to treat it.

For plain dirty ears that do not have any odor, redness or leakage of discharge/debris, a simple over the counter canine ear cleaner can be used. Gently soak some cotton balls or a washcloth with the cleaner, and then use these to wipe out the flap of the ear and opening to the ear. Do NOT use Q-tips as these can become stuck or lodged in the curve of the ear canal and may cause injury to the ear drum.

If the ear is bright red or itchy without any dirt or debris in it, it may indicate an allergy. Sometimes an allergy medication can help provide relief in this situation. Your vet can give you the correct dosages of an over the counter allergy medication to use, or may recommend one specifically for dogs.

For infections and mites, changes to the ear such as bad smell or lots of debris and discharge, flecks of black or brown debris, or scabs and sores in the ear may be present. In these cases, it is best to have your vet take a sample of the ear debris to test for mites or infection. Your vet can then give you an ointment that is placed and left in the ear between ear cleanings. Most vets will then recommend cleaning the ears twice daily and then leaving in the ointment after for a period of ten days.

Ear mites ARE contagious to other pets, so if your dog does have them, it is best to treat any other pets in the house at the same time to prevent the mites from spreading around continuously.

Read Full Q/A … : How to Treat a Dog's Ear Infection Without Vet Help

Q. My 8y old lab has a hematoma that cover a good portion of her left ear. It doesn’t appear to be causing her pain. Will it reabsorb if we are patient?

ANSWER : A. It may well resolve over time but this could result in significant scarring of the ear which can affect movement and reduce air circulation in the ear long term and making future ear problems more likely. It is also very important that you get treatment for the existing problem which has caused this hematoma and your vet can then advise on long term prevention strategies also

Read Full Q/A … : Your Pet's Best Friend – Aural Hematoma

Q. My dog is having ear problems. I have had her at two vets and they can not seem to find the cause. Can you help?

ANSWER : A. For a pet with chronic ear issues I would recommend checking her thyroid levels. Hypothyroidism can be a cause of chronic ear infections.

Then I would recommend having a bacterial culture of the ear debris to ensure the appropriate antibiotic is chosen to completely rid the bacteria in there. If there is resistant bacteria, the ear will appear to get better at first but then once ear meds are stopped they will thrive again and cause a re-emergency of the ear infection. Also longer treatment may be needed, for example instead of 7-10 days, perhaps 14 days continuously.

If all else fails, I would recommend a skull radiographs to look for signs of a narrow ear canal and/or an inner ear infection which will require not only topical antibiotic ointments put into the ear, but also oral antibiotics.
Most ear infections are caused by moisture in the ears, narrow ear canals, hypothyroidism or skin allergies. Each one has to be gone through systematically.

Read Full Q/A … : Dog has ear problems; flaking and smelly – Questions …

Q. I have two problems with my 16 yrs old dog: he’s constipated and has a ear ache. What can I use to relieve these?

ANSWER : A. Constipation is a common problem in dogs that can be due to a number of things. However it is a good idea to make sure the constipation is not actually diarrhea, as some dogs can strain after a bowel movement, making it look like such. If constipation is present, adding a little pumpkin puree or plain yogurt to the diet can help make digestion easier and make stools easier to pass. However if symptoms do not resolve after a few days, it is best to speak with your vet.

For ear aches, it is best to have your vet examine the ear as many things including allergies, ear infections, mites and more can cause ear problems. If the ear is just dirty, then cleaning the ear gently with cotton balls or a clean washcloth and a dog ear cleaning solution can help. Do not use Q-tips as a dog’s ear has a 90-degree turn in it and placing Q-tips in the ear can cause damage to the canal or inner ear. However if the problem persists or cleaning does not help, it is best to seek care.

Read Full Q/A … : Dog Constipation Causes and Treatment – pets.webmd.com

Q. I have a 3 year old female Shihtzu she has started doing alot of reverse sneezing at the minute she has a sore ear at the moment is it coming from it.

ANSWER : A. Is your dog being treated for the sore ear? Because the only way I could imagine an ear infection causing reverse sneezing would be that the ear drum had been ruptured, which can definitely happen in chronic, serious ear infections. More likely, probably, is that both conditions (the ear infection and the reverse sneezing) are caused by allergies. So they’re not really related from the standpoint that the ear problem is causing the sneezing, but they’re both coming from the same cause. Make sense?

If she’s not under a veterinarian’s care for this, I’d strongly encourage you to get her there. The ear problems can become chronic and recurrent, and can cause hearing loss. Allergies can be frustrating to treat, but a good vet will work with you to figure out how to help your dog. Good luck, let us know if you’d like to consult about this problem.

Read Full Q/A … : Dog stumbling and can't keep balance – Vetinfo.com

Q. My mini rat terrier has an ear hematoma and I have opted to let it heal naturally so is there anything I can give him for the itching??

ANSWER : A. I am sorry to say but there is a good chance your pet has an ear infection which caused the ear hematoma in the first place. Therefore I recommend at least treating the ear infection with topical antibiotics +/- antifungala prescribed by your vet.
Your pet is itching because the blood-filled ear is causing pain and discomfort. The best course of action, which is still considered conservative treatment, is to have the ear drained by your vet and then they can prescribe steroids and potentially oral antibiotics. This is a lot less invasive than the mattress suture pattern technique that is done to fix these, and I have seen lots of patients ear hematomas resolved this way as well.

Read Full Q/A … : Is there anyway that I can treat a hematoma on my cats ear …

Q. Dog has dry ears and it itches him. Any recommended soothing lotions??

ANSWER : A. I will answer this question as if you are speaking of the inside of the ears (not the external). Most dogs ears aren’t dry unless they have other skin issues such as skin allergies, which can be seasonal or year around and caused by many different things, such as foods, environment, dust, grass, pollen, and products (shampoos, perfumes, etc). Check in the ears for waxy build up. The ears should be clean of any wax and dry. If they have build up, I would take a cotton ball, and soak half of it in a dog ear cleaning solution. This solution should be made specifically for dogs, and your local vet would most likely sell the appropriate brand.

I would address any possible skin allergies, if they do not have any other skin issues, then looking inside the ears and cleaning with a good ear cleaner (should be alcohol free—because alcohol is very drying) If the ear scratching continues regularly then bring him/her into the vet to have a proper ear exam.

Read Full Q/A … : 4 Ways to Diagnose and Treat Your Dog's Itchy Skin Problems

Q. My dog has a fluid sack on the outside of right ear

ANSWER : A. If the ear flap itself looks like a small pillow, it is likely an aural hematoma. A blood vessel in the ear flap has ruptured causing the flap to fill with blood and give the pillow appearance. These are most commonly caused by head shaking which in turn is caused by an ear infection. Treatment is surgical. Your vet will open the flap and drain the blood then suture the ear flap together to prevent further hemorrhage. Afterwards, treating any underlying infection should prevent head shaking. The ear can be drained with a syringe but it usually refills requiring repeated draining and leading to a potentially deformed ear flap

Read Full Q/A … : Fluid in Outer Ear of My Dog – Organic Pet Digest