Ear Hematoma in Dogs

Since hematomas are painful, your dog will show signs of distress such as:

• Scratching the ear: Your dog will do this to relieve the pain around the area.
• Swelling and redness of the area: The burst vessel will cause what is known as a "blood blister" to form in the area.
• Agitation: The pain will cause your dog to act erratically and unpredictably. 
• Resistance to touching the area around the pinna: Again, this is attributed to the pain in the area.

The list above covers the superficial set of symptoms a dog will experience. Since the underlying cause can be more serious, neurological symptoms such as issues with balance, facial paralysis, head tilt in dogs, excessive thirst may be present as well.

There can be many reasons for aural hematoma in dogs. On the most superficial level, an accident or trauma can cause a vessel to burst. A foreign body trapped in the area can also cause there to be swelling. 

Ear infections can lead to hematomas, and they can have bacterial or fungal origins. Ear mites in dogs, skin and food allergies can also progress to hematomas.

Additionally, ear infections are quite common in dogs: one out of five dogs will get an ear infection in their lifetime. This is largely due to the fact dogs' ear canals are L-shaped. Therefore, there is a tendency for dirt, moisture and microorganisms to settle at the juncture of the ear. Given the right conditions, this accumulation can turn into an infection. There are three types of ear infections in dogs: otitis externa (outer ear infection), otitis media (middle ear infection) and otitis interna (inner ear infection).

Often your dog will display symptoms in addition to a swollen and red pinna. Since hematomas are caused by a range of issues, your vet will ask for a detailed medical history of your dog as well as any recent incidents of trauma.
The area around your dog's ear will be cleaned and a sample of the wax or debris will be taken to conduct a culture. Blood test, urinalysis, imaging tests may be conducted to determine any underlying cause.

Treatment will depend on the underlying cause. However, to stop the swelling and prevent recurrence, your vet may decide to conduct a small procedure under anaesthesia. The cut will be made in the swollen area and a surgical drain which absorbs fluid will be placed to prevent accumulation. Alternatively, stitches may be put in the area to prevent accumulation as well. 

Depending on how the ear heals, the stitches may be taken out around two weeks after the surgery. Antibiotics may be provided to prevent infection in the area. 

Treatment will need to continue until the underlying cause is addressed.

You may also be interested in: Ear Mites in Dogs: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention

As a dog owner, it is your responsibility to ensure that your pet’s ears are cleaned. Since they are susceptible to infection, extra attention needs to be paid to them. Your vet will be able to tell you how to safely clean your dog’s ears; excessive cleaning also leads to problems. 

The basic idea to keep your dog’s ears dry as moistness invites microorganisms to thrive. 

If your dog has chronic ear issues, talk to your vet about cleanliness and ear drops that can help to control the infections.

Read more: Cleaning your dog's ears