Aural Hematoma in Dog

A hematoma is defined as blood accumulation, locally, under the skin due to rupturing of blood vessels. Hematomas are usually benign in nature (not becoming cancerous) and may occur in the brain and other major organs. An aural hematoma or an ear hematoma in dogs is the swelling on the inside of the ear flaps.

Causes and Symptoms

Aural hematomas usually develop in dog breeds that have floppy ears. The condition is caused by excessive head shaking, scratching of the ears or hitting the ear against any object, or an injury that leads to rupturing of any blood vessel, causing a fluid-filled, pocketlike swelling at the bottom of the ear.

The symptoms usually range from a soft swelling, head shaking, head tilting, ear flap turning red, and the dog turning aggressive due to the pain.

Treatment

As hematomas are caused by the rupturing of blood vessels, they may result in partial or complete swelling. If left untreated, aural hematomas may lead to disruption in ear function.

Aspiration is a basic and inexpensive procedure that is adopted in the initial stages of the condition. The procedure involves inserting a needle and draining out all the accumulated fluid.

Surgery is another ideal option. The ear flaps are separated, the wound is flushed (cleaned by applying pressure with sterilized water or antiseptic solution to the tissue), and the flaps are sutured back. The sutures are removed after 3 weeks.

Sources:

The Voice of Stray Dogs. Aural hematoma in dogs: causes, symptoms, and treatment. https://voisd.in/

Accessed March 9, 2022.

PetMD. Hematoma on dogs. https://www.petmd.com/

Accessed March 9, 2022.