When a blood vessel breaks inside a dog’s ear, it causes a bubble of blood known as a hematoma. Hematomas aren’t life-threatening but, without surgery, it can change a dog’s looks.
When we first met Red, a Jindo mix, he was a mouthy adolescent with ‘tude to share. True to his breed, he had peaked ears and an intensity that could chill a stranger (right photo). Now, five years later, he’s a wiser, mellower dog who still swaggers down the sidewalk. But his ears droop, due to the hematomas he’s had at different times (left photo).
What is a hematoma?
A hematoma is any unusual, blood-filled space. Think of a bruise. Both a hematoma and a bruise are due to broken blood vessels. But where the blood spreads out and turns the tissues it touches colors with a bruise, the blood is contained like a pillow with a hematoma.
A hematoma can occur in any part of the body. In dogs, they most often happen in the ears. Specifically in the part that is either peaked or floppy, known as the pinna. It can affect one ear or both. Dogs with floppy ears are more at risk of hematomas than dogs like Red with peaked ears.
In Red’s case, the first hematoma appeared and grew over several days. There was no clue about what caused it. The second grew fast after a spider bite. Hematomas often happen when a dog has an ear infection or irritation and shakes his head a lot or scratches the ear. They can also be caused by an injury (such as a dog fight), an allergic reaction, immune disorders or blood clotting problems.
With his first hematoma, Red didn’t seem to have any pain. He clearly seemed feel his ear was heavy and abnormal. With the second, the spider bite irritated him along with the hematoma.
How are they treated?
The longer a hematoma goes without treatment, the more scarring there will be.
Since many hematomas are caused by infections or parasites, a vet will look inside of the ear and clean it. Any debris or discharge from the ear will be checked under a microscope. Medication may be needed to clear up the problem.
For the hematoma itself, there are several options, depending on its size:
- Letting the ear heal on its own. The tissues will absorb the blood sooner or later. The blood isn’t absorbed evenly so the ear may get puckered. The cartilage inside the ear may be damaged. The dog may be uncomfortable for a month or more as the blood is absorbed. This can be irritating and the dog may keep shaking his or her head or scratching the ear. This can make the hematoma worse or rupture it. A once erect ear may always flop over after a hematoma.
- Draining the ear using a needle and syringe. This is called aspiration. It may have to be done several times if the blood fills up the space again after the ear is drained. Because this is an invasive procedure, there’s a possibility of infection.
- Surgery to put in a drain to prevent more fluid build up. The pinna is cut open and cleaned out. The skin is stitched tightly back over the cartilage inside the pinna. The vet may put several stitches through the ear to close up the space where the blood is collecting. The drain stays in place for several weeks while the ear heals and the dog may have to wear the “cone of shame” to prevent him from scratching at the stitches and drain.
Results from treatment
Red’s first hematoma healed on its own without intervention. He had surgery and a drain for the second one. While one ear has lifted somewhat, neither of his ears returned to their original erectness.
While there isn’t much that can be done to prevent a hematoma, checking your dog’s ears regularly to catch infections or parasite infestations early is wise.
