What is an ear hematoma in dogs?

Hello dog lovers!

Have you heard of a condition called ear hematoma in dogs?

My dog ​​is constantly worrying about his ears.

He doesn't like being touched near his ears.

If your dog is showing any unusual behavior, such as these, you may need to take notice.

If your pet's ear is swollen and puffy, don't ignore it.

Aural hematomas are painful, so you should take your pet to the vet immediately.

This time, I'd like to write a column focusing on "aural hematomas."

Let's start by looking at what an aural hematoma is.

Canine Ear Hematomas and Symptoms

What is dog ear hematoma?

Auricular hematoma is a condition in which blood accumulates within the cartilage of a dog's ear, causing swelling.

Cartilage bleeding is most often caused by a strong impact to the ear.

Aural hematomas are painful, so do not ignore them and take your dog to the vet immediately.

The cause of ear hematomas in dogs is unclear, but it is often caused by excessive ear scratching or head shaking due to itching caused by otitis externa (fungal infection, parasitic infection, allergy, etc.) or otitis media.

Symptoms of Ear Hematoma

The main symptoms of ear hematoma are

• Ear swelling
• Attempts to scratch the ear
• Head shaking

The ear swells up, and before the ear swells, the dog often shakes its head or scratches its ear. Most of the swelling is blood. It often causes itching rather than pain, and further scratching worsens the condition. If the swelling is left untreated, the ear will become misshapen, even with treatment.

Since symptoms are unusual and obvious, it's important to see a doctor as soon as possible.

Dog Breeds Susceptible to Ear Hematomas

You may be wondering whether there are certain dog breeds that are more susceptible to ear hematomas.

• Labrador Retriever
• Golden Retriever
• Beagle
• Toy Poodle
• Maltese

Dogs with droopy ears, such as these, are prone to ear hematomas.

Dogs with droopy ears are prone to otitis externa due to poor ventilation. Furthermore, larger ears tend to experience greater centrifugal force when shaking their heads, leading to ear hematomas.

Furthermore, droopy ears are easier for paws to reach, making them more susceptible to injury and ear hematomas than dogs with upright ears.

However, even if your dog doesn't have droopy ears, you should still be careful. If you have allergies, you should be careful because your dog is prone to otitis externa.

Treatment and Prevention of Ear Hematomas

How to treat ear hematoma

Draining the accumulated blood

There are two ways to drain the blood: by inserting a needle or by making an incision to allow the blood to escape. In the early stages, draining the accumulated blood with a needle can be effective. However, since the blood will re-accumulate after removal, it is not a one-time treatment and may require multiple sessions over several days.

Medicinal Treatment

Corticosteroids may be used to relieve pain and discomfort caused by the severe inflammation of acute ear hematomas and to prevent the condition from worsening. Steroids may also be used in conjunction with antibiotics.

In the worst case scenario, the ear's skin and cartilage may be sutured together to eliminate the space where blood can accumulate. However, this surgery requires general anesthesia and often requires hospitalization.

Also, since most cases of ear hematomas are accompanied by otitis externa or otitis media, treatment for these conditions is often initiated simultaneously. In such cases, ear irrigation and antibiotics may be required, which can be quite costly.

How to Prevent Ear Hematomas

Ear hematomas are often caused by untreated otitis externa or otitis media, so it's important to prevent and treat otitis externa early. Also, if you notice your dog scratching its ears or shaking its head, take it to the vet immediately. If treatment for otitis externa is discontinued, it will recur, increasing the risk of developing an ear hematoma.

Ear hematomas can be prevented by regularly checking your dog's ears and treating otitis externa early. It's important to pay attention to the condition of your dog's body, skin, ears, and eyes, and regularly check their physical condition.

Finally

Aural hematoma is not life-threatening, but it can be painful, so it's important to take your child to the hospital as soon as possible. Once it occurs, it can cause ear deformity and recur. The more severe the symptoms, the longer the treatment period and the number of visits, so early detection is important.

Dogs with ear hematomas often also have otitis externa. Therefore, early treatment of otitis externa is important.

There are no years when the condition is more likely to occur, so it's important to be constantly vigilant. If your dog exhibits unusual behavior, such as scratching its ears or shaking its head, take it to the vet immediately.

Also, be sure to continue treatment thoroughly and not stop midway until it is fully cured.

Don't forget to check your pet's physical condition on a daily basis, as this can help prevent illness. Check it before a walk, for example.