Dog Ear Hematoma: How To Treat It At Home - Dogs Natural (2023)

So your dog's ear is swollen and it looks like there is a big blister on it. It can be small or occupy the whole ear.

Regardless of the size, what you are seeing is most likely an ear hematoma. The name sounds a bit scary and its sudden appearance is alarming... but nothing to worry about.

Ear hematomas can be a serious problem, but the cause is usually obvious and easily treated.

Let’s dive right in…

What is an ear hematoma?

A canine ear hematoma is the collection of blood outside of a blood vessel. It is sometimes referred to as aBlutblase.

The most common type of hematoma in dogs is an ear hematoma (or ear hematoma). These happen when aBlood vessel bursts and bleeds between the cartilage and skin of the auricle.

Ear hematomas vary in size and appearance. They can be small and only affect part of the ear...or they can be so large that they block the ear canal and affect how the ear sags or stands.

They look like a blister, although they may not be as red as a normal blood blister. There will be obvious swelling and a firm swollen mass on the ear flap that may feel spongy or like a water balloon.While it looks like it's about to burst, hematomas rarely do. But they can be very painful for your dog, especially when touched.

What Causes Ear Hematomas in Dogs?

Hematomas are thoseresult of trauma. The most common types of trauma that cause ear hematomas are excessive scratching or head shaking. This means your dog is more likely to develop a hematoma when dealing with...

• allergies
• ear infection
• Ohrmilben
• ticks
• insect bites

foreign objectsin the ear can also cause discomfort leading to excessive head shaking and scratching.

Another common cause of ear hematomas isbite woundsthat do not injure the skin.

TIED TOGETHER:Is it an ear hematoma or an ear infection?

Which Dogs Are More Prone to Ear Hematomas?

Your dog is at a higher risk of developing ear hematomas if this is the caserecurring ear problems. Especially if they make him scratch his ear and shake his head. Hematomas are also more common in dogsclotting or bleeding problems, even without obvious trauma.

dogs withfloppy earsare also more prone to ear hematomas.

What happens if a hematoma is left untreated?

If you leave a hematoma to itself,the blood is eventually reabsorbed. This can be done in as little as 10 days for smaller hematomas. However, larger hematomas may take weeks or even months to resorb. andThere is a risk of scar tissue causing permanent disfigurementthat creates cauliflower ear. Then the skin takes on the appearance of a cauliflower floret.

Whether this disfigurement is problematic depends on the location of the hematoma.

When to worry about a hematoma

There are 3 main scenarios in which an ear hematoma becomes more serious.

1. The hematoma isblockage of the ear canal.
2. Permanent disfigurement through natural healing could narrow the ear canal. That wouldincrease the risk of ear infections.
3. The hematoma is so large and painful that it causesundue discomfort.

In these cases, your options may be a bit more limited. But the hematoma is still treatable.

Conventional treatments for ear hematomas

If your dog has an ear hematoma, most conventional vets will recommend surgery. The vet will drain the hematoma and remove any blood clots by making an incision in the hematoma. She will then stitch the ear in several places to reattach the skin and cartilage. This will help prevent disfigurement while the ear heals.

The vet may also insert drainage prior to suturing so any new buildup of fluid can be easily drained. This procedure is invasive and your dog will need to be sedated.

Other conventional options may be...

• Aspirationwith a syringe. This removes the fluids, but usually only provides short-term relief.
• Ateat cannula(or similar drain) placement. This will make it easy for you to drain the hematoma until it heals properly. Disfigurement can still pose a risk.
• AVacutainer, creating a vacuum. This removes the blood and keeps the skin and cartilage tight together to improve healing and reduce disfigurement. But you have to change the drain when it fills up.

These options are less invasive than surgery and don't require anesthesia. But there are more natural options that might be worth trying first.

Treatment of ear hematoma at home

To prevent the hematoma from getting bigger, it is importantAct fast. You can treat hematomas at home, of course... but they can be pretty serious.Therefore, be sure to consult your holistic veterinarian.

Here are two areas to focus on. (You should do them at the same time).

1. Find the root cause

Whether you choose natural or conventional treatments, you need to address the underlying cause of the hematoma.Otherwise, you risk the formation of another hematoma.

The good news is that the most common causes of ear hematomas are natural remedies.

allergies

There are two main types of allergies and each has different symptoms.

food allergies– chronic ear infections, bronzing nail beds or lips, itchy skin, dull coat, watery eyes

Food allergies can arise from any food, but common culprits include corn, wheat, rice, eggs, sweet potatoes, peanuts, and lentils. The best way to narrow down the cause is with an elimination diet or an allergy test.

environmental allergies- Itching, hives, ear infections, hair loss, chewing or licking paws.

Typically, veterinarians treat environmental allergies with antihistamines like Benadryl. But these drugs can do more harm than good. Instead try…

• bovine colostrum
• Apple Cider Vinegar
• bee pollen
• Omega-3-Slices
• Quercetin

ear infection

Ear infections in dogs are one of the top reasons for vet visits. When your dog has an ear infection, they will have hot, smelly ears with a waxy discharge. They may also appear crusted or scaly. In severe cases, your dog may lose balance or hearing.

Antibiotics, steroids, and topical treatments are usually prescribed for ear infections.But these only treat the symptoms temporarily...and they can have nasty side effects. Fortunately, there are natural options instead.

Popular remedies include green tea, calendula, apple cider vinegar, and oregano oil.

Ohrmilben

Ohrmilbenare from the same family as ticks, but do not bite. Instead, they feed on the wax in your dog's ears.

Ear mites are usually picked up outdoors or from another animal such as a cat, dog, or ferret.If your dog has ear mites, he may have:

• Lop ears when they normally stand up
• Dark Discharge
• A bad smell

There will also be pinprick-sized white moving spots... but you'll likely only see these if you have good eyesight. To try to diagnose them yourself, you can use a cotton ball to collect debris from the external ear canal. Place it on a dark background, then use a magnifying glass to spot moving spots.

Natural remedies for ear mites include olive oil, garlic oil, and green tea.

ticks

Dogs occasionally pick up ticks. Unlike mitesTicks are big enough to see.But if they're deeper in your dog's ear, they can be hard to see. Be sure to look as far into your dog's ear as possible if nothing is obvious on the outer canal.

Most people's first reaction when they spot a tick is panic, but that's not necessary. While it's important to act quickly, don't rush into it. Once you've removed the tick, any irritation it caused should quickly go away.

2. Fix the hematoma

There isseveral natural remediesYou can try. The vets Dr. Wynne and Marsden recommend Chinese herbal medicine or homeopathy.

Yunnan Baiyao

Yunnan Baiyao is a Chinese herbal formula for internal use. Use 250 mg powder per 20 pounds of body weight or 1 capsule or tablet once or twice daily.

homeopathy

Arnica montana30C orHamamelisC30 are homeopathic remedies that can help with hematomas. They work best for simple hematomas that don't have a lot of ear infections.

dr Wynne and Marsden recommend dosing one of these agents up to twice daily for 1 week and then once daily for 4 to 5 days.

You can also use arnica or witch hazel three times a day. Both should be available in health food stores.If the hematoma continues to expand, stop treatment and consult your veterinarian.

yarrow

Herbalists Greg Tilford and Mary Wulff recommend yarrow as another herbal option. Apply yarrow oil topically to strengthen the outer capillary walls.

witch hazel

Witch hazel can also be effective. Its powerful astringent properties help constrict weak or inflamed blood vessels.

compression wrap

Compression wraps and bandages keep your dog's ears snug against his head. This prevents further shaking and scratching, which could worsen the hematoma or cause a new one.

Depending on the cause of the hematoma, a wrapmay help or make it difficult to fix the underlying cause.Your dog may also find the feel of a wrap or bandage uncomfortable.

leech

This last option is for the adventurous. But it is also seengood results.

Humans have used medicinal leeches for centuries and continue to do so today. In fact, the FDA considers them a medical device.

You may already know that they feed on blood, but that's not all they do.Leech saliva also has healing properties that prevent blood from clotting.This helps prevent scar tissue from forming and makes them a good choice for hematomas.

Veterinary leeches can be purchased online from companies such as Biopharm. But you should consult your holistic veterinarian before using this remedy.

Can You Drain an Ear Hematoma at Home?

Draining a hematoma at home is not recommended.It may temporarily relieve your dog's discomfort, but it can also lead to infection. And the hematoma usually returns.

If you think your dog's hematoma needs draining,consult your holistic veterinarian.

Ear hematomas can be a little intimidating when they first appear, but there are many ways to treat them naturally. So before you undergo surgery, consult your holistic veterinarian and try some of these less invasive options.