How to Determine if a Dog Has an Ear Hematoma

Video Transcript

"My name is Doctor Endre Sos, and I will tell you how to detect if your dog has an ear hematoma. Ear hematoma is a blood-filled space under the skin of the dog's ear flap. And, forming an ear hematoma, it's a very quick process. It can be a very quick process, and usually it's due to the burst or the injury of a big, or even a smaller blood vessel in the ear flap. I told even a smaller blood vessel, because sometimes it's due to the reason if a dog has a blood-clotting problem, but, very often and most frequently, the ear hematoma will occur if the dog is shaking the head, or, if there is a trauma, itself. Usually it's not difficult to diagnose, because this is really blood filled space under the skin, so you can easily see it. Especially the large hematomas. The smaller ones can be more tricky, but if you palpate it, it's like a balloon. Sometimes it's warm, sometimes it's painful for the dog, and very often, there is something which is posing the symptom. And this ear hematoma is only a symptom because the head shaking is the result of an otitis, or ear infection. It can be the result of a mite infestation, or anything which is causing a lot of head shaking or vigorous head movements on the dog. If you diagnose this condition, consult your local veterinarian immediately, because usually you need a professional solution, and usually the solution is surgical. If you miss this opportunity, very often the dog will stay with a misshaped ear."