Aural hematomas occur when blood collects under the skin of your pet’s ear flap, or pinna. This pet health condition can occur in both dogs and cats; however, it is more common in canines with floppy ears. Typically, it results after some form of trauma or injury to the pinna.
How Aural Hematoma Affects Your Pet
What an aural hematoma can do to your dog or cat depends on how severe the condition is and what the cause of it is. However, when left untreated, if your pet continues to scratch at its ear, infections, scarring and deformed ear flaps can result. Additionally, healing will be practically impossible if your dog or cat continues to scratch.
Common Symptoms of Aural Hematoma
Symptoms of aural hematomas in pets are easy to spot and they are similar in virtually any situation. If your pet exhibits any of these warning signs, it likely has an aural hematoma, and you should take your pet to a veterinarian right away. Lumps or Swelling of the Ear Flaps, Squishy Lumps on the Ear Flaps, Sensitive Ears, Shaking of the Head, Scratching and Pawing at the Ears, Bloody or Pus-Like Discharge from the Ears, Open Lesions on the Ear Flaps, Pain and Fever.
Treatments for Aural Hematoma
The best method for treating aural hematomas in pets is surgery. Your veterinarian will surgically open the ear, drain the fluid from the hematoma and remove any dead clots and fibrin. After surgery, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications will be necessary. You will need to keep the surgical site clean with peroxide for about two weeks after surgery, and your veterinarian will need to perform a final examination to ensure that the ear has healed properly. Additionally, if ear mites or wax build-up is present, these conditions will need to be treated as well.
Breeds Affected
While any dogs and cats can develop aural hematomas, they are most common in canines with floppy, drop-ears. Some of the breeds that commonly experience this condition are listed here: Basset Hounds, Beagles, Irish Setters, Gordon Setters, English Setters, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, American and English Cocker Spaniels, Black and Tan Coonhounds, Dachshunds, Bloodhounds, English Toy Spaniels, and Any Other Breeds with Floppy Ears.
Pet Insurance
When adding a dog or cat to your family you want to make sure your pet is happy, healthy and protected. During its lifetime your pet is exposed to many illnesses and diseases and some breeds are affected by a congenital disease which is a condition existing at birth. At these moments when your pet is ill or maybe needs surgery, you want to be protected for the unexpected and high veterinarian costs.
