Ear Hematoma (Aural Hematoma)

    A hematoma is swelling created by a broken blood vessel after bleeding has occurred inside a tissue. Hematomas within the ear flaps (“aural hematomas”) occur when head shaking breaks a blood vessel within the cartilage and the skin of the ear flap. The ear flap may partially or completely swell with blood, it feels like a water balloon. The swelling may be so large that the opening of the ear canal is occluded. The extra weight of the ear flap may be uncomfortable and may lead to a permanent change in the cartilage of the ears. This condition is more common in dogs but  also can occur in cats. If  the hematoma is left alone, it will resolve by itself, the fluid will re-absorbed by the body  but the scarring of the tissue will leave a deformed ear flap.

    Surgical repair of a ear hematoma is achieved by draining the fluid and blood clots through an incision on the inside of the ear flap. To prevent the hematoma from refilling with fluid, multiple sutures are placed through the  flattened ear flap to keep its integrity.  Bandages are kept in place initially ( normally our patients are sent home with a E. collar to prevent further scratching), after the bandage is removed the E. collar should be used to avoid self-inflicted  trauma. The sutures are kept  in place for 3 weeks to allow good scarring to take place so that refilling will not occur . At the same time the ears should be checked for ear infections. It is useful to have a microscopy examination of the ear discharge to establish the adequate treatment.