Ear hematoma. Otohematoma in a dog: general information, treatment and prevention

No matter how the owner tries to protect his active and inquisitive pet from injury and other dangers, the dog simply does not allow him to do this. Injuries and hematomas literally follow the heels of animals, occurring throughout the body, including on the ears.

Etymology of the disease

An auricular hematoma (otohematoma) is a certain amount of accumulation between the skin and cartilage, directly related to the auricle, lymph and blood.

Causes

This disease is a consequence of injury to the vessels located on the ears. The main reasons for such formation are considered to be:

• Bruises.
• Entry of foreign bodies.
• Scratching.
• Bites from other animals.

In the place where the dog has an otohematoma, a hemispherical swelling will be observed. This disease has the following symptoms:

1. There is an increase in body temperature.
2. Hemisphere - hematoma has a shape that is soft to the touch.
3. There may be pain at the location of the pathology.
4. The ear takes on a reddish tint (hyperemia).

A sick animal will constantly tilt its head in the direction on which its ear hurts, showing anxiety. This disease is very often accompanied by unbearable itching, which in turn provokes scratching in the pet, and further trauma to the diseased ear is possible.

Diagnosis of the disease

In a veterinary clinic, a specialist can examine the hematoma using palpation. Diagnosis of a hematoma is a consequence of the fact that the dog has some kind of concomitant disease, which was precisely the cause of a problem of this nature. Hematoma-aneurysms most often occur if a pet has pronounced moderate-to-severe liver disease.

The occurrence of a hematoma in a dog will ultimately lead to the fact that the animal will need to undergo surgery; this is performed only in specialized veterinary clinics.

Treatment

Otohematoma requires close attention; its immediate treatment is based on removing accumulated lymph and blood. The procedure is carried out in several stages:

At this stage, the veterinarian suggests that the owner carry out puncture, the purpose of which will be to aspirate the contents of the hematoma and replace it medicines inserted into the cleaned cavity.

In the event that an otohematoma has formed in a pet due to unbearable itching and scratching of the affected area, as a consequence of itching causing constant discomfort to the dog, it would be most advisable to establish the root cause of the hematoma, that is, to determine the underlying disease:

• Otitis.
• Otodectosis.
• Allergic reaction and so on.

This action will prevent further recurrence of otohematoma.

If a relapse does occur, then surgical intervention cannot be avoided. The operation is performed as follows:

After such an operation, the dog will be prescribed antibiotic therapy and local treatment of the auricle by using antiseptics. The owner will need to support the ear using a bandage with an absorbent surface to absorb the discharge from the ear wound. Additional ear protection can be provided by using a special collar. The stitches are removed one month after the operation.

If not treated...

In case if for a pet will not be provided in a timely manner health care, a disease such as a hematoma in the ear can develop in the following ways:

• The skin of the auricle breaks through on its own, thereby allowing all the fluid accumulated in it to escape (In this variation, an infection can get into the tissue, which will inevitably lead to necrosis of the dog’s ear).
• The lymph and blood accumulated in the hematoma can gradually resolve on their own (In this case, the auricle becomes deformed and remains wrinkled forever).

Disease prevention

To prevent a beloved pet from developing a disease such as otohematoma, the owner must constantly monitor his health and try to prevent the occurrence of diseases accompanied by severe itching and subsequent ear trauma. The owner should inspect the dog's ears as often as possible and rinse them with special means(instead of expensive lotions, you can use regular hydrogen peroxide, available in every home medicine cabinet) and process its skin in a timely manner by specialized means from ticks and fleas.

The owner must visit with his animal at least once a year veterinary clinic, this will help to identify many diseases in a timely manner and prevent their further development.

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Ear hematomas in dogs are fluid-filled pockets on the inside auricle. When something causes the blood vessels to rupture, they bleed under the skin and form a fluid-filled pocket. Ear hematomas usually occur in dogs with floppy ears, but they can occur in any breed. A dog's ear problem is usually easy to notice, and a quick trip to the veterinarian can confirm the formation of a hematoma.
A hematoma is defined as swelling created by a broken blood vessel after bleeding has occurred within the tissue. Auracular or ear hematomas are fluid-filled tumors different sizes, which develop on the concave surface of the ear of dogs, cats and pigs. The condition is more common in dogs than cats. The pathogenesis for the development of the lesions is not entirely understood, but scratching of the ears due to itching is considered the main cause. In dogs painful condition often associated with the presence of otitis externa (inflammation or infection of the external auditory canal, pinna, or both). Treatment of ear hematomas usually requires surgery and treatment of secondary otitis media.

When a dog has an ear hematoma and you don’t know what to do or are looking for how to reduce it by looking at advice on the Internet on forums, we recommend not to self-medicate or experiment on your beloved dog. After all, there are a lot of reasons (more on this later in the article), and the consequences of your experiment may disappoint you and your family.

Symptoms of ear hematoma in dogs

Dogs with this condition have a soft, fluid-filled swelling in one or two ears. The auricle will pulsate like a balloon because it is partially or completely inflated with blood. The swelling will vary in size, and in some cases it may be so large that the opening of the ear canal becomes blocked. The extra weight of the pinna can be uncomfortable for the animal and can lead to permanent changes in the shape of the ears. Most animals will show signs of itching, such as ear scratching.

Causes of ear hematoma in dogs

• Otitis externa and trauma. It is believed that the presence of otitis externa leads to head torsion, which in turn can lead to ear injury. Shaking your head can cause the skin to separate from the ear cartilage, causing blood vessels to rupture and form a hematoma. However, hematomas may be found in cases where there is no obvious disease or trauma to the ear and are absent in cases of otitis or pruritus, such as in cases of Sarcoptes infection.
• Autoimmune reaction. In 1986, Kuwahara proposed that the development of ear hematoma was due to an immunological process based on the results of testing 40 affected dogs. However, this theory has conflicting evidence.

Diagnosis of ear hematoma in dogs

Diagnosis of ear hematoma is based on the presence of unilateral or bilateral soft ear, which fills with blood. The veterinarian will collect a sample of the fluid inside the swelling using a fine needle in order to make a diagnosis. Additionally, it is important to diagnose what is causing the hematoma. Otitis externa may be diagnosed if present bad smell from the ear, excessive secretion and/or inflammation. A blood culture test and other tests may be required. lab tests to determine what causes otitis media, what to choose the best option treatment.

Treatment of ear hematoma in dogs

Ear hematomas usually require surgical treatment. The operation requires general anesthesia and involves making an incision in the affected ear to drain out any fluid that has accumulated between the skin and the auricular cartilage. Several sutures (the number will vary depending on the size of the hematoma) are placed parallel to the incision line to minimize the likelihood of damage to the blood vessels of the ear and to promote skin adhesion to the ear cartilage. The incision will remain open to allow for drainage. Some veterinarians will place a special drain on the pinna of the ear for seven days to promote further drainage and prevent fluid from re-accumulating in the ear. Bandaging after surgery is usually not required. The sutures will be removed 14-21 days after surgery. Your veterinarian will prescribe pain relievers, antibiotics, and other medications needed to treat ear infections if present.

This procedure is relatively safe and animals have a good prognosis for recovery, however there are some risks associated with general anesthesia as with any other surgery. Early diagnosis and intervention provide a good outcome, so it is necessary to contact your veterinarian as soon as you notice signs of an ear hematoma.

Recovery. The dog has an ear hematoma

After surgery, your veterinarian will give you instructions about postoperative treatment and observation. Some of the recommendations may include:

• The ear canal should be cleaned, dried and treated with appropriate medication.
• Clean the wound and massage any fluid that accumulates in the affected ear after surgery.
• Usage Elizabethan collar until the sutures are removed and hematoma and otitis media are eliminated.

The prognosis for ear hematomas in dogs is good, but recurrence is likely if otitis externa is not treated and controlled. If a hematoma appears in one ear, the other ear should be carefully examined for otitis media. Adequate treatment of otitis externa and close monitoring are necessary to prevent itching and shaking of the head, which can lead to recurrence of ear hematoma.

How to call a veterinarian at home?

What questions will need to be answered?
In order to call a veterinarian, you need to:

1. Call the operator at the numbers specified in the Contacts section;
2. Tell what happened to the animal;
3. Provide the address (street, house, front door, floor) where the veterinarian will arrive;
4. Specify the date and time of the doctor’s arrival

Call a veterinarian at home and he will definitely help you.
At home, as they say, walls heal too

Due to an accidental injury, a dog may develop a lump on its body. Do I need to go to the veterinarian to determine the cause of the disease or can I treat it myself?

In the article you can find out answers to frequently asked questions, and also write in the comments your experience and actions that helped you cope with a similar problem, but in any case it would not be a bad idea to go to the veterinarian for additional examination and identifying the causes, as well as choosing options to eliminate them.

The dog has a large hematoma full of fluid in the withers area; treatment at home

A fluid-filled hematoma may appear on the ear after a fight, accidental injury, or scratching.

There are two methods of treating this disease: conservative and surgical. The first is that the animal’s hematoma and the fluid filling it are sucked out with a syringe. After this, the needle is not removed, but an antibiotic is injected through it into the hematoma cavity to destroy the pathogenic microflora.

The procedure is repeated several times until liquid stops accumulating in the area of ​​the cone.

If conservative treatment doesn't help, they resort to surgical intervention. Sometimes after surgery the ear becomes deformed, tilts to one side or becomes smaller in size.

Simultaneously with the treatment of the hematoma, it is necessary to establish the cause of its occurrence. If it is otitis media or ear mite, due to which the dog was scratching its ear, it is necessary to treat the disease with appropriate medications.

Hematoma in a dog under the skin on the side, back, neck, paw, abdomen, head treatment at home

Hematoma occurs due to rupture blood vessel, and hemorrhage into the muscles. The cause of its occurrence may be injury or bruise, fractures, vascular ruptures, complications after surgery.

Sometimes it is difficult to determine the presence of a lump due to the animal's thick fur. If the hematoma is small and does not cause much discomfort to the pet, there is nothing to worry about; it will soon resolve on its own.

If the lump increases in size, hurts a lot, or appears from it purulent discharge, you need to rush to the doctor.

Hematoma in a dog after a bite from another dog, injection, surgery, vaccination, blow

There are different types hematomas depending on where they are located:
- intracranial;
- intermuscular;
- subcutaneous, etc.

When you visit a veterinarian, he will determine the nature of the swelling by taking appropriate tests, and only after that will prescribe treatment.

Bumps that appear after injections or vaccinations most often go away on their own and do not require any specific treatment.

A lump on a dog’s neck under the skin, jaw, what is it?

There are lymph nodes under the dog's jaw, so the presence of a lump in this place may indicate serious illness. If it does not go away within a month, you need to contact a veterinary clinic to clarify the diagnosis.

A lump on a dog’s neck after an injection, vaccination, or fight

Lumps on the neck may be a sign dangerous disease– lymphosarcoma. Therefore, even if you are sure that a fight or vaccination was the cause of the tumor, undergo better examination in a veterinary hospital, where they will accurately determine whether the neoplasm is benign or not.

Bumps after subcutaneous administration Drug symptoms may appear when the animal’s body reacts to the injected medicine or due to improper injection technique.

A lump on a dog’s neck is the size of a chicken egg, on both sides, it itches until it bleeds

It is imperative that you take your dog to the veterinarian. A lump in the form of a hematoma may be inflamed lymph node. It’s good if the tumor is of high quality, but it could be lymphosarcoma. The sooner you start correct treatment, the greater the chance of saving the dog.

Dogs are active, lively animals that love to explore the world around them. Therefore, it is not surprising that in the process of learning about the surrounding space they can become injured. The ears of a furry friend are rightfully considered one of the most vulnerable places to injury, since their tissue is very delicate. A dog's ear hematoma refers to a type of injury that is caused by hemorrhage under the pet's skin and is accompanied by rupture of small and medium-sized vessels. As a result, a characteristic cavity appears in the pet’s ear, where the tissues are displaced under the influence blood pressure. The article will discuss the main reasons characteristic symptoms and methods of treating such injury.

Otohematoma in a dog is another name for a bruised ear four-legged friend, which is accepted in veterinary medicine. The main reasons leading to hematoma include:

A hematoma on the ear of a furry friend most often does not have rich symptoms, so the owner needs to be twice as careful to detect it. To the most clear signs belong to:

1. The dog has an increase in body temperature.
2. Otohematoma appears on the pet's skin in the form of a hemisphere, which in its consistency is soft to the touch.
3. If the owner touches the hematoma, or the animal itself scratches the damaged ear, then this is expressed in strong painful sensation at the place of deployment. The pet may whine and try to prevent the owner from touching the area where the ears are damaged.
4. The lesion acquires a characteristic reddish tint, which veterinarians call hyperemia.

The changes also affect the usual behavior of the tailed pet. He constantly tilts his head in the direction where it hurts. The ears may become itchy. In general, with otohematoma, animals are characterized by restlessness and restlessness. At the first signs, you need to carefully examine your pet, or even better, take him to an appointment with a specialist. Next, we’ll look at how auricular hematoma in dogs is diagnosed and treated.

Diagnostics

In a veterinary hospital, the first thing the doctor will do is palpate the area of ​​the ear affected by the hematoma. Further procedures will include a medical history, blood and urine tests, and possibly an ultrasound and x-ray. This is done in order to exclude internal reasons hemorrhages. Often diagnostics can determine that the real reason the occurrence of otohematoma does not lie in ordinary canine trauma, but in a serious liver disease or some other vital important body. Further treatment hematomas depend on the degree mechanical damage and whether a blood clot has formed in the ear.

Treatment options

Owners should be aware that treatment at home is excluded. The maximum that the owner is allowed to do is relieve the pet’s pain. To do this, you need to treat the lesion with an antiseptic, and then apply a cold compress there. With some skill and skill, you can apply a pressure bandage. Such manipulation is carried out according to the following instructions:

1. The dog's ear is pressed quite tightly (but without fanaticism) to the surface of the head.
2. The animal’s head is bandaged in the form of a “kerchief”.
3. Make sure that the bandage is firmly in place, as your pet will probably try to pull it off.
4. If it is clear that the dog is in great pain, then it is permissible to inject him with a dose of novocaine, based on the weight of the animal.

After rendered primary care, the pet should be taken to the doctor. After diagnosis, there may be two options for the development of events. Here they are:

1. Conservative treatment, which involves the veterinarian removing the contents of the hematoma using an ordinary syringe. That is, no incisions are made, no stitches are placed. The doctor simply treats the affected area with an antiseptic and then injects inflamed area needle, pumping out the liquid. After this, an antibiotic is injected into the wound. It is important to understand that this procedure you need to go through 5 to 7 times until the signs of hematoma completely disappear, this will reduce the risk of relapse to zero. The advantages of this treatment include the fact that the dog does not experience severe stress, and the deformation cartilage tissue pet ear is impossible. However, there are disadvantages - full recovery at similar treatment does not always happen.
2. Surgical treatment of otohematoma in dogs involves anesthesia and subsequent surgery. In this case, the fur at the site of injury is completely removed, and the hematoma itself is opened. It is washed and stitched so that the ear tissue and cartilage do not grow together. Surgical intervention mandatory if it is determined that a blood clot has formed in the otohematoma. This method will almost certainly completely cure the pet, but deformation of the cartilage is possible, why is the dog will look less attractive. But this is not so important if the owner wants his pet to be completely healthy.

If the hematoma is not treated, then the development of ear necrosis in the animal is possible, which in itself is very dangerous, as is self-healing by resorption, because Auricle will still be hopelessly deformed. Therefore, it is better to carry out therapy under the supervision of a veterinarian.

Prevention

The owner who wants his four-legged friend not to be treated for this unpleasant phenomenon, like a hematoma, should closely monitor your pet. Regular examination of your pet’s ears and washing them, as well as accurate knowledge of allergens that are dangerous to your pet and the causes of otitis in dogs will help to avoid its occurrence. In addition, you need to avoid getting injured as a result of fighting and playing with other animals. It is important to understand that ignoring the appearance of a hematoma is dangerous for the life of your beloved pet.