What causes an aural hematoma in the ear?
A hematoma is a fluid-filled swelling created by a broken blood vessel after bleeding has occurred inside a tissue. Hematomas within the earflaps (“aural hematomas”) occur when head shaking breaks a blood vessel within the earflap. The earflap may partially or completely swell with blood.
When does a dog have an aural hematoma?
Hematomas within the ear flaps (aural hematomas) occur when head shaking breaks a blood vessel. The ear flap may partially or completely swell with blood. This condition is more common in dogs but can occur in cats as well. Toggle navigation Home About
Can a hematoma in the ear canal be treated?
The hematoma is so big that the ear canal is occluded. If this is the case, the ear cannot be evaluated for infection nor can any infection present be treated. In this situation, the hematoma must be relieved before the ear canal can be accessed.
Is there a cure for aural hematoma without surgery?
What this means in practical terms is that if you suppress the body’s defenses long enough for it stop this self-attack, the hematoma may heal without any surgery or drainage at all. Many of these cases will respond to high doses of prednisone (a synthetic form of cortisone) with no other treatment.
A hematoma is a fluid-filled swelling created by a broken blood vessel after bleeding has occurred inside a tissue. Hematomas within the earflaps (“aural hematomas”) occur when head shaking breaks a blood vessel within the earflap. The earflap may partially or completely swell with blood.
How can you tell if a dog has an aural hematoma?
This could be self-inflicted trauma by scratching at the ear or head shaking, or it could be from a physical injury while running through brush or during a dog fight. The first true sign of an aural hematoma will be a swelling in the pinna, or ear flap.
What causes a dog to have an ear hematoma?
The most common cause of an ear hematoma in dogs is an ear infection or other irritation within the ear. Ear infections cause irritation to the ear, resulting in shaking of the head which in turn causes the development of the hematoma which, in many cases, requires painful surgery and lengthy healing.
How can you tell if your ear has a hematoma?
The first true sign of an aural hematoma will be a swelling in the pinna, or ear flap. The swelling will be most easily visible in the concave (inner) surface of the ear. It may be red, soft, warm, or elicit a pain reaction if touched. Some describe the swelling as a ‘water balloon’ texture.