Occasionally, an abscess or a tumor of the pinna might have a somewhat similar appearance. The fluid-filled swelling of the pinna is characteristic. Very few other medical problems resemble an aural hematoma. In-depth Information on Canine Aural Hematomas See your veterinarian as soon as head shaking, ear scratching or ear rubbing begins. Take your pet to a veterinarian to have the hematoma evaluated and to determine whether there is any underlying ear disease.ĭelaying treatment will rarely result in a satisfactory or cosmetic outcome and fails to address the reason why the hematoma occurred in the first place.Ĭheck your pet’s ears frequently, at least once a week, for evidence of inflammation such as redness, swelling or pain. Recurrence is common with this technique. Needle aspiration of the hematoma usually resolves the problem only temporarily. The underlying ear disease must be treated appropriately. Abnormalities in laboratory tests (blood work) are uncommon. Radiographs of the skull may be indicated if your veterinarian suspects external or middle ear disease is present.Įvaluation of the ear may show bacteria, yeast, ear mites, or foreign material to be present. Eventually, the hematoma may become firm and thickened, resulting in a deformed “cauliflower” appearance.Ĭoncurrent ear disease like infection or foreign material is common, but not always present. On a physical examination, a warm, fluid-filled swelling is noted on the inner surface of the ear. Left untreated, the swelling may eventually resolve on its own, leaving the ear deformed, a so-called “cauliflower ear.” What to Watch For The exact cause is poorly understood but any condition that leads to head shaking or ear scratching such as bacterial ear infection or ear mites may be responsible.Īural hematomas can be painful to the touch and may aggravate an underlying ear disease. They usually appear as fluid-filled swellings on the concave (underneath) surface of the pinna, which is the pointed or floppy portion of the ear. Aural hematoma, commonly referred to as “pillow ear”, is an accumulation of blood within the cartilage layers of the dog’s ear.

Aural hematoma surgery