An aural hematoma is a collection of blood that forms within the ear flap, known as the pinna, of a dog. This condition arises when trauma causes a blood vessel to rupture, leading to blood pooling in the space between the skin and the cartilage layers of the ear. The resulting swelling is often noticeable and can be painful for the animal. Veterinary intervention is generally required to drain the accumulated blood and prevent permanent damage or deformity to the ear structure.
Understanding the Causes and Appearance
The formation of an aural hematoma begins with a traumatic event that causes blood vessels inside the ear flap to break. The most common trigger is vigorous head shaking or intense scratching, which creates a shearing force that tears the delicate vessels lying close to the cartilage. This self-inflicted trauma is typically a secondary symptom of an underlying issue causing significant ear irritation.
Irritation is often caused by bacterial or yeast infections of the external ear canal, allergic skin disease, or the presence of foreign bodies like grass awns or ear mites. The dog persistently shakes its head or scratches its ear in an attempt to alleviate the discomfort. The blood then collects, forming a pocket between the skin and the underlying cartilage structure of the pinna.
Owners typically notice a soft, warm, and fluctuating swelling on the ear flap that resembles a water balloon. The swelling can be localized or involve the entire ear flap, causing it to feel thick and spongy. The weight of the accumulated fluid often causes the ear to droop, and the dog will show signs of pain or discomfort when the area is touched.
Professional Treatment Methods
Veterinary treatment focuses on removing the blood collection, eliminating the empty space, and promoting the reattachment of the skin to the cartilage. For small hematomas, a veterinarian may attempt non-surgical drainage using a needle to aspirate the fluid. However, this method often fails because the space quickly refills with blood or serum, as the underlying cause of the pooling has not been addressed.
Surgical intervention is the most reliable approach for achieving a permanent resolution, especially for large or recurrent hematomas. This procedure involves making an incision into the ear flap to fully drain the clotted blood. After drainage, the veterinarian places multiple sutures, often referred to as “quilting” sutures, through both layers of the ear flap.
These sutures serve to compress the skin directly against the cartilage, closing the potential space where blood can reaccumulate. The sutures are placed parallel to the ear’s blood vessels to maintain proper circulation and are designed to hold the tissues in apposition until a permanent scar tissue bond forms. In some cases, a small drainage tube may be temporarily inserted to allow for continuous passive draining as the ear begins to heal.
Recovery and Avoiding Future Incidences
Recovery requires ensuring the ear heals properly and the hematoma does not return. The dog will need to wear a protective Elizabethan collar (E-collar) continuously for several weeks to prevent scratching or head shaking that could disrupt the surgical site. The ear is often bandaged against the head for several days immediately after the procedure to provide support and gentle compression.
The sutures are left in place for approximately three weeks, allowing sufficient time for the scar tissue to form and permanently adhere the skin to the cartilage. Despite successful treatment, a common cosmetic alteration known as “cauliflower ear” can occur, where the pinna develops thickening or wrinkling due to the internal scarring process.
Preventing future hematomas requires identifying and managing the underlying condition that initiated the scratching and head shaking. If an ear infection, allergies, or parasites are not treated, the dog will likely resume these behaviors. Long-term management of chronic ear irritation, often involving routine cleaning and medication, is necessary to minimize the risk of recurrence.