Treatment options include needle aspiration and bandages, tube drainage systems and incisional drainage. The goals of surgery are to remove the hematoma, prevent recurrence and retain the natural appearance of the ears.
What can you do for a hematoma on a dog’s ear?
Recovery and Management of an Ear Hematoma in Dogs
- Cleaning, drying, and treating the ear canal with appropriate medication.
- Cleaning the incision and massaging out any small pockets of fluid that may accumulate after surgery.
- Keeping a cone on your dog until sutures are removed and the hematoma has completely healed.
How can I treat my dogs aural hematoma at home?
My dog’s hematoma just popped on its own. What should I do?
- Try to gently clean the area with warm water and a mild, non-stinging cleaning solution (like dilute chlorhexidine or povidone-iodine). …
- If your dog allows, place gentle pressure on the area to help it fully drain.
How do you fix aural hematoma?
Treatment for an aural hematoma ranges from needle aspiration of the blood and any clots that have accumulated in the pinna to surgical drainage. Surgery is preferable, since needle aspiration is usually only a temporary fix.
Will aural hematoma heal on its own?
Without treatment, the hematoma may heal on its own after the fluid is slowly reabsorbed by the body, but it may very well scar down and turn into an ugly looking “cauliflower ear.” There are multiple ways to treat an ear hematoma, but it always requires a two-part treatment.
Can I drain a hematoma on my dog?
If your dog has a large or painful aural haematoma, it will need draining. This can be done using a needle and syringe or an indwelling plastic drain (see below). Left undrained, large aural haematomas are often painful, scar and cause a thickened, crinkly earflap (like a rugby player with ‘cauliflower ear’).
What happens if you leave a dog ear hematoma untreated?
If left untreated, the hematoma may be slowly reabsorbed, but the associated inflammation will have caused damage to the surrounding ear tissues resulting in a distorted, cauliflower-shaped ear. Aural hematomas are very painful, and for humane reasons they should be treated.
How do you treat a hematoma at home?
Can I care for a hematoma myself?
- Rest.
- Ice (Apply the ice or cold pack for 20 minutes at a time, 4 to 8 times a day.)
- Compress (Compression can be achieved by using elastic bandages.)
- Elevate (Elevation of the injured area above the level of the heart is recommended.)
How do you drain a hematoma at home?
TAKE-HOME MESSAGE
The authors recommend using a disposable curette or punch biopsy tool at a tangential angle to drain the hematoma. This sharper tool creates a hole without squeezing the nail and causing pain, and the hole is also large enough to prevent clogging.
Is aural hematoma an emergency?
While a hematoma isn’t an emergency, it should be addressed as soon as possible. Faster treatment will minimize scar formation and prevent the discomfort of pressure and a heavy ear flap.
How long does an aural hematoma last?
What follow-up treatment is needed? Any sutures, drainage tubes or bandages are generally removed in about three to fourteen days. At that time, the hematoma is usually healed. In severe cases, some or all of the sutures will be left in place for up to two weeks longer.
When does a hematoma need to be drained?
Sometimes, a hematoma may require surgical drainage. Surgery may be more likely if the blood is putting pressure on the spinal cord, brain, or other organs. In other cases, doctors may want to drain a hematoma that is at risk of infection.
What helps a hematoma go away?
Sometimes, hematomas can go away on their own. If you have a muscular hematoma, doctors generally recommend the RICE method — rest, ice, compression, and elevation to reduce the swelling and give it time to heal.
How much does ear hematoma surgery cost?
Top 10 Pet Surgeries.
…
The Cost of Vet Care.
| Top 10 Surgical Conditions in Dogs | Average Cost of Treatment |
|---|---|
| Aural hematoma (blood filled ear flap) | $296 |
How long does it take for a dog ear hematoma to reabsorb?
If a haematoma is left untreated the blood in the ear flap will separate into serum and a clot and will gradually be absorbed over a period of 10 days to 6 weeks.