Ear Hematomas in Dogs

Also known as aural hematomas, an ear hematoma is a collection of blood under the skin of a dog’s ear flap. This condition is easy to spot as the swelling is usually extreme. Ear hematomas can be extremely painful for dogs. Although they are considered a minor condition, treatment is always necessary. Without proper treatment, a dog’s ears can become permanently disfigured.

What Causes Ear Hematomas?

Ear hematomas are extremely common in dogs. They can occur suddenly and without warning. They are usually caused from a self-inflicted injury to the ear. Allergies, ear mites, ear infections, bites and foreign objects in the ear are all common in dogs with hematomas.

Scratching and head shaking that causes the ear flaps to smack against the head can cause significant trauma to the ears. This trauma can cause blood vessels to break, filling the area between the skin and the cartilage of the ear flaps with blood.

Although any dog can develop an ear hematoma, some breeds are more prone to them than others. Dogs with ears that hang down are at the greatest risk. Also, dogs that have frequent ear infections or other chronic ear problems are more likely to develop hematomas.

Preventing Aural Hematomas

The best way to prevent hematomas is by closely monitoring your dog’s ear health. Ears should be checked regularly for discharge, debris or irritation. If your dog scratches their ears regularly it’s a good idea to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian.

Treating Ear Hematomas in Dogs

When treating an ear hematoma, always consult your veterinarian. Recommended treatment varies depending on the size of the hematoma and how long it has been present. The most common treatment involves minor surgery. During surgery, a veterinarian makes a small incision to drain blood from the ear. Your veterinarian will also treat any underlying conditions such as ear mites, infections or clogged ear canals. After surgery, the site is stitched up and bandages are applied.

DogLeggs™ Surgi-Sox© Aural Compression Bandage is a revolutionary alternative to traditional bandages. Hospitals prefer to use our product after surgery because it’s easier to manage than layers and layers of bandages.

Our Aural Compression Bandages are more comfortable for dogs than other types of bandages. The compressive quality of this product prevents further damage to the ear during head shaking. Using the compression bandage during feeding can reduce the incidence of ear infections caused by food debris entering the ears.

DogLeggs™ provides revolutionary alternatives to traditional bandages. Our Aural Compression Bandages are easy to use and easy to clean. Please contact us for more information.