How to Determine if a Dog Has an Ear Hematoma

An aural or ear hematoma is a blood filled space under the skin of a dog's ear flap. Ear hematomas generally develop when blood vessels in the pinna, or flap, burst due to injury, scratching at the ear or vigorous head shaking. If you suspect that your dog may have an ear hematoma, it is important that you take her to a vet for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Instructions

1. Look for swollen areas on your dog's ear flaps. The flap may be partially or completely filled with blood so the swollen area can be quite large or relatively small. The swelling with an ear hematoma will not generally decrease within several hours or days so if swelling persists, a hematoma may be present.

2. Feel your dog's ear flap and the swollen area. The swollen part of the flap will have a squishy, liquid-filled feel to it, like a water balloon. The swollen area may also be warm to the touch.

3. Search online or in dog care books for pictures of other animals with ear hematomas and compare them to the appearance of your dog. For dogs with particularly large hematomas, the comparisons can be informative. However, dogs with small swollen areas will be harder to compare to pictures.

4. Observe your dog for discomfort or pain. Ear hematomas are generally uncomfortable or painful for dogs because of the extra weight and pressure in the ear flap. Your dog may hold his head differently, try to scratch at his ear, shake his head or express other signs of discomfort.

5. Recognize the behaviors and factors that can cause ear hematomas. Many aural hematomas are the result of a dog excessively scratching at her ear or vigorously shaking her head due to ear infections, mites or injuries. If your dog has any of these issues, hematomas will be more likely but not inevitable. Dogs with large ear flaps are also more likely to get ear hematomas than those with small ears.

6. Know your dog's medical history. Dogs that have medical problems with excessive bleeding or trouble clotting may be more likely to develop ear hematomas if they engage in the behaviors listed above.

7. Make an appointment at your vet's office and have your dog's ear examined. Ear hematomas generally require professional treatment to heal properly and without disfiguration.