DR. JEREMY PROSSER, D.V.M.

brewertonvet@gmail.com

Dealing with a dog's ear hematoma can be a challenging and frustrating experience. Watching your pup suffer from endless discomfort is never easy, but the good news is that there are simple home treatments that you can offer for your dog to prevent it from becoming worse. 

Ear hematomas can be uncomfortable for dogs, but early intervention can prevent complications. While professional care is often required, there are steps you can take at home to ease your dog’s discomfort.

Let’s explore what an ear hematoma is, its symptoms, and how you can help your dog find relief.

What is Ear Hematoma in Dogs?

A dog ear hematoma, also known as aural hematoma, is the accumulation of blood in the outer part of the ear. Ear hematoma is the most common type of hematoma that occurs in dogs. This occurs when blood vessels erupt between the cartilage and skin of the pinna, causing blood to accumulate under the skin, resulting in what is known as an aural hematoma. 

Ear hematomas can vary in severity, ranging from mild cases with minimal swelling to severe cases that cause significant pain and discomfort. It's important to seek advice from a veterinarian, as it can lead to permanent damage when left untreated.

Ear hematoma in dogs can appear in one or both ears. It usually appears as a swollen, enlarged portion of the earflap. Symptoms include:

• Shaking of head aggressively
• Pain in the ear
• Low appetite
• Redness of the ear 
• Swollen ear flap
• Skin feels thick and hot

This type of hematoma is most commonly found in dogs with floppy ears. Dogs with long, floppy ears often shake their heads when itchy, which usually results in injury to the skin of the pinna. Additionally, a floppy ear is an ideal breeding ground for bacteria, yeast, and ear mites since it usually traps moisture and debris. 

How to Treat Dog Ear Hematoma at Home

Small ear hematoma usually gets reabsorbed into the body and eventually heals on its own. Home treatment of ear hematoma is not really advisable, and you should never attempt to drain an ear hematoma without professional guidance. 

The good news is there are some ways you can try at home to prevent the hematoma from getting larger; here is what you can do:

Find the Underlying Cause 

Observe closely on your dog and try to find out the potential cause of this injury. This simple method can tremendously prevent further hematoma development in your dog’s ear. 

Wear a Buster Collar

Wearing a buster collar on your dog protects him from scratching his ear thus preventing it from getting aggravated and more swollen. 

Use Compression Wraps

Compression wraps may provide comfort to your dog’s ears against his head. Depending on the cause, it may help mend the aural hematoma. Your dog may also find it uncomfortable, but trying this method can provide more good than harm. Besides, this can be easily removed from your dog if you notice it's causing discomfort. 

Ear hematoma in dogs, also known as aural hematoma, is the result of accumulation of blood inside the pinna due to a variety of reasons. Knowing the causes of ear hematoma is crucial in preventing it from becoming severe. Aural hematomas are mostly caused by the following: 

Ear mites

Ear mite is a surface mite found on different animals, such as dogs, cats, rabbits, and ferrets. Ear mites burrow inside the ear canal, causing extreme discomfort that may lead to your dog’s intense head shaking and scratching. Ear mites are highly contagious and can spread during close contact with an infected animal.

Allergies

Allergies in dogs are one of the leading reasons for veterinary appointments. They often affect a dog’s skin and ears. Unlike humans, who may outgrow allergies over time, dogs tend to experience worsening allergies as they age. Allergies can cause itchiness in the ears, and excessive scratching can injure the skin of the pinna, which may lead to ear hematoma. 

Foreign bodies

Foreign bodies on ears are a common problem for dogs, especially in warm weather. Most dogs can get foreign bodies on their ears regardless of their age, size, and breed. However, dogs with long, floppy ears are the most common victims of this problem. 

Ear foreign bodies happen when something enters your dog’s ear canal and gets stuck. Whether it's grass seeds or parasites, foreign bodies can cause extreme irritation in the ear, which in most cases leads to complications such as ear infection, damaged eardrum, or aural hematoma.

Insect bites

Various insects can bite dogs, and the skin's reaction depends on the species of the bug. In most cases, insect bites lead to itchiness due to the sensitivity to the proteins in the saliva or venom of the insect. The relentless feeling of itchiness when bitten in the ear is one of the most common causes of ear hematoma in dogs. 

Ticks

Tick is a blood-sucking parasite that is commonly found in dogs. They can attach themselves to any part of the dog’s body, feeding on blood and potentially transmitting diseases. Most often, a tick bite causes an irritation to the skin where it is attached. When a tick attaches inside a dog’s ear, they tend to scratch their ear or shake their head to ease the feeling of discomfort. This reaction often erupts the blood vessels in the ear, accumulating blood inside the skin.

Yeast infection

Yeast infection is a common concern for dogs; it usually thrives inside the dog's ear due to the moist environment. This issue can lead to irritation and itchiness in the ear, causing the dog to scratch excessively. This behavior can result in redness and abrasions, ultimately leading to an aural hematoma.

Treatment for Dog Ear Hematoma

Treatment for a dog’s ear hematoma depends on factors like age, health, and the severity of the condition. Vets typically offer two main approaches—surgical and non-surgical:

Non-Surgical Treatment

This involves draining the hematoma and injecting medication to reduce inflammation. While cost-effective, this method carries a risk of recurrence, requiring follow-up visits.

Surgical Treatment

This option, performed under anesthesia, involves making an incision to drain the blood and remove clots. The skin and cartilage are then sutured to prevent disfiguration and ensure proper healing.

Surgical intervention tends to be more effective, reducing the risk of complications.

Can a Dog’s Ear Hematoma Heal on its Own?

Dog ear hematomas might heal on their own over time. However, this painful ear injury will leave your dog suffering from the discomfort it brings. Not to mention that it will also result in a scarred, misshapen ear or a ‘cauliflower ear’ when left untreated. You should visit your veterinarian to narrow down the underlying cause and provide the necessary course of treatment for your dog's needs.