txt-vet-approved-articles.jpg Search All Articles

Aural Hematoma in Dogs
By: Dr. Nicholas Trout

Section: Follow-up

A veterinary consultation should be sought as soon as an aural hematoma is discovered, although this is NOT a surgical emergency.

  • Complete the course of medications (topical, oral or both) for the treatment of an underlying ear disease, if one was found.

  • Where a bandage is used, check under the neck region to make sure it is not too tight and does not interfere with breathing.

  • Monitor your pet for tolerance of a bandage or collar. Call your veterinarian if this is a problem.

  • When there is no bandage, check the incision daily for excessive swelling or redness. A watery, bloody discharge is considered normal for the first few days following surgery.

  • Return to your veterinarian in 10 to 14 days for suture removal. Most dogs will tolerate this procedure without the need for sedation.

  • Check your dog's ears frequently, at least once a week, feeling around the base of the ear for any pain or discomfort and looking down the ear canal for waxy build up, redness or any other type of discharge. The ear canal should be open, clean and not inflamed. If it is inflamed, you should consult with your veterinarian. Do not be tempted to probe the ear yourself with something like a Q-tip, as it is possible to damage inadvertently the canal or ear drum. If your pet has a history of ear infections, this type of monitoring will be even more important.

  • At the earliest signs of head shaking, consult with your vet. Very few dogs that actually have outer ear disease go on to get an aural hematoma, but addressing the underlying ear problem early will help to prevent the occurrence of this troublesome secondary disease.



  • Page(s) 1 2 3 4 5

    Related Articles

    Search Over 15.000 Vet Approved Articles

    Top 10 Dogs Topics

    1 Dog Health

    2 Puppies

    3 Dog Breeds

    4 Adult Dogs

    5 Senior Dogs

    6 Dog Training

    7 Dog Adoption

    8 Pictures of Dogs

    9 Dog Videos

    10 Tips for Traveling with Your Dog

    Pet Photos

    Friendly Dogs


    » View Slideshow

    Cute Puppies


    » View Slideshow

    Cute Dogs


    » View Slideshow

     

    Additional Resources

    If you found this article useful, sign up for free exclusive access to useful pet information, health tips, photos and more, delivered right to your inbox. Just fill out the form below:
    I have a Dog - I have a Cat Instant Access We respect your privacy. Privacy Policy
    Thank you for joining. You should be receiving an email from us in a few minutes.