Vidhi Kapoor Dog Ear Hematoma: If you have a dog in your house, it is not enough to get him vaccinated from time to time (vaccination means to get medical help to avoid diseases) or give him food and water. You also need to examine his behavior and body.
If the pet has a physical problem, it will often be seen licking or jerking the affected area. One of these problems is hematoma i.e. accumulation of blood in the ear.
If your pet has a swollen ear, it could be a sign of a hematoma in the ear or a disease in the ear. It is also known as oral hematoma.
What Is Dog Ear Hematoma?
Hematoma in the ear is a condition of accumulation of blood between the skin of the ear and the cartilage. Often this problem occurs due to rupture of blood vessels in the ear due to injury or excessive scratching in the ear. Most often this condition occurs in dogs whose ears are long and drooping. This condition can be very painful for the dog. If it is not treated, the shape and color of the ear can change.
Typically, a medical condition such as an infection of the outer ear (otitis externa) in dogs can cause a hematoma in a dog. Sometimes immune system disorders, clotting disorders, and hormonal disturbances in dogs can also cause hematomas. Therefore, try to get a checkup done by going to the vet as soon as possible if there is any problem or swelling in the dog’s ear. The doctor will first find out the underlying cause for hematoma treatment, for which he may recommend some tests.
Treatment for a hematoma in a dog can vary depending on the severity of the inflammation. Sometimes it is necessary to make an incision in the inflamed area so that the pus or any other type of fluid present there can be taken out. However, it is not a permanent cure as there is often a risk of re-accumulating fluid in such situations. In such a situation, there is a need to take the dog to the vet at times.
As another treatment, the dog may be given anesthesia. The surgical cut is then made and the pus or fluid inside is drained out by the surgeon. In addition, stitches may be applied to the affected area to prevent the fluid from accumulating again. Surgeons can remove the stitches after about 3-14 days. Dogs usually respond well to treatment, but prognosis depends on the underlying condition. The good news is that dogs usually respond well to treatment.
Anesthesia to the dog is another treatment option. After anesthesia is given to the dog, the doctor makes an incision on the inflamed area and uses a surgical drain in the ear to absorb the fluid. (Surgical drain is a thin small tube used to drain pus, blood, or other fluid from the wound) When the fluid has dried, the drain is removed by the surgeon after a few weeks. Stitches are placed on the affected area to prevent the fluid from re-accumulating and the surgeon can remove these stitches after 3 to 15 days. Dogs often respond well to treatment, but prognosis depends on the underlying conditions.
Also Read: How To Treat Dog Eye Infection At Home And Vet?
Symptoms Of Hematoma In Dog
Since a hematoma is a painful condition, you may notice the following signs and symptoms:
Scratching The Ear: The dog may try to scratch around the affected area to get relief from the pain. However, dogs sometimes itch so much that the ear bleeds. Apart from hematoma, there can be some other reasons for itching in the ear like mites or insects, parasites, etc.
Swelling And Redness In Some Areas: When blood vessels burst, blood blisters form in the surrounding area. In this case, there may be swelling and redness in the affected area.
Restless And Anxious: Pain can cause dogs to become anxious and behave unpredictably.
Pain On Touching The Affected Area: If the dog tries to bite or groans in pain when it touches the ear, then it can be a sign of hematoma.
All of the above symptoms can identify a dog with a hematoma in the dog. However, the underlying cause may be more serious, with neurological symptoms such as balance problems, facial paralysis, head tilted to one side, and excessive thirst.
Causes Of Ear Hematoma In Dogs
Causes of a hematoma in a dog’s ear include the following:
Injury: When the ear vessels are torn due to an accident or injury, there may be a problem of redness and swelling due to the accumulation of blood in the surrounding area.
External Factors: The problem of hematoma can also occur due to the entrapment of an insect or particle in the ear canal.
Ear Infections: One of the biggest and main causes of itchy ears in a dog is ear infection, due to which there is a risk of infection and bacterial or fungal growth in them. Most ear problems in puppies and young dogs are caused by rapid head movements caused by mites.
Hematoma can also be caused by allergies to mites, skin, or food in dogs’ ears. By the way, getting a dog ear infection is a very common problem. Often one in five dogs will develop an ear infection in their lifetime. This is because a dog’s ear canal is shaped like the English letter ‘L’.
Therefore, there is a risk of dust, soil, moisture, and microorganisms getting trapped in their ears over time. This is the reason why dirt accumulates in their ears which can turn into infection over time. There are three types of ear infections in dogs: otitis externa (infection of the outer ear), otitis media (infection of the middle ear), and otitis interna (infection of the inner ear).
Diagnosis Of Hematoma In Dog
In addition to swelling and redness, a dog can sometimes develop other symptoms with the condition of a hematoma. Since a hematoma can be caused by a variety of factors, the vet will ask you about the dog’s medical history or any recent accidents or injuries that he has had.
For an accurate diagnosis, the veterinarian may clean the area around the dog’s ear and examine it by taking a sample of earwax. Apart from this, they can also take the help of blood tests, urine tests, and imaging tests.
Dog Ear Hematoma Treatment
Treatment of hematoma in a dog depends on its underlying cause. However, a small procedure may be performed by the vet by giving the dog anesthesia to prevent swelling and the problem from re-triggering. Under this, the fluid is absorbed with the help of a surgical drain. Stitches are then put in place to prevent the accumulation of pus or fluid.
Depending on the condition of the ear, the doctor may remove the stitches after two weeks of surgery. Apart from this, to prevent infection in the affected area, the doctor may give antibiotics or ear drops depending on the situation.
Keep in mind that you need to be very careful when inserting ear drops, as they may try to bite if they hurt. In the meantime, make sure to gently massage the ear cartilage for 30 seconds after inserting the ear drop. However, treatment may need to be continued until the underlying cause is detected.
Also Read: 6 Dog Bite Treatment At Home
How Can A Dog’s Ear Hematoma Be Managed?
As a dog owner, it is your responsibility to ensure that the pet is properly cleaned, especially the insides of the ears, as this area is very sensitive and due to the presence of hair, swelling or blood blisters can occur. Unable to know about. Since excessive cleaning of the ear can cause a problem, get tips from a veterinarian.
For now, you should try to keep the dog’s ears dry. There is a risk of microorganisms growing due to water getting inside the ear or having moist skin.
If your dog has an earache, talk to your vet about cleaning as well as liquid ear drops that can help prevent infection.
