Hematoma of the Ear in Dogs

What is an aural hematoma?

A hematoma is a localized mass of blood that is confined within an organ or tissue. An aural hematoma is a collection of blood, either fresh or clotted, within the pinna (ear flap). When a hematoma is present, the pinna will appear very thick and spongy. The swelling may involve the entire pinna, or it may involve only one area of the ear.

What causes an aural hematoma to occur?

The external ear has a layer of skin on both sides and a layer of cartilage sandwiched between the two skin layers. Blood vessels run just beneath the skin. When something irritates the ear canal, your dog will respond by scratching or shaking its head. Excessive or violent shaking causes one or more blood vessels to break, resulting in bleeding into the space between the ear cartilage and skin on the inner surface of the ear.

Most dogs that develop an aural hematoma have an infection, allergy, bite wound, or other inflammatory ear condition that causes excessive scratching and head shaking. In some cases, there may be a piece of foreign material lodged in the ear canal, such as a tick or piece of grass. It is also possible that a foreign body initiated the shaking but was later dislodged.

Dogs with a bleeding or clotting disorder may also develop an aural hematoma, with or without a history of trauma.

What is the treatment for an aural hematoma?

"Surgery can treat the hematoma quickly and effectively."

There are many ways to treat aural hematomas in dogs and your veterinarian can discuss their recommendations with you. Surgery can treat the hematoma quickly and effectively. The actual surgical technique varies with the individual circumstances and the veterinarian's preference. Lily's ear is too thickened and inflamed today to be a surgical candidate.

If an underlying cause is found, such as an infection, allergy, or foreign body. The hematoma usually resolves once the underlying cause is corrected.

What follow-up treatment is needed?

If discharge from the surgery sites occurs before they close, it should be cleaned off with mild cleansing soap. If an infection is present, your veterinarian may prescribe medication and will recommend a recheck of the ear canal to be sure that the infection is resolved. Otherwise, another hematoma may occur.

If left untreated, the hematoma may be slowly reabsorbed. The ear tissues may heal with a bit of distortion. This may only be a cosmetic problem. If ear infection is present, treating the infection may be required before considering surgery. Steroids are often use to decrease inflammation in the ear canal and flap, prior to assessing if surgery is required.