Ear Hematoma In Dogs And Cats
Did you know that your cat or dog may have a bruise on the ear? In this article, we’re going to talk a little more about this problem, which is more common than we think… and which can be avoided!
What is an ear bruise?
Before talking about ear bruises, we need to learn a little about the auditory structure of animals. As with people, the ears of cats and dogs have small blood vessels, which can rupture as a result of trauma, sudden movement, or infection.
When this happens, the bleeding can ‘stick’ under the skin and form a small pouch where pus and blood accumulate. These pockets of fluid that form inside the ears of dogs or cats are also known as otohematomas.
When there is a bruise on the ear, the animal shakes its head a lot more and this can cause bleeding or cause other liquids to be expelled (pus, for example). An otohematoma can be so large that it even blocks the entrance to the ear canal.
Dogs with long ears that fall to the sides of the head are more prone to ear bruises, such as the cocker spaniel, beagle, bloodhound or cavalier King Charles spaniel.
As for cats, unneutered males can also be more vulnerable. Fights between brethren over a female in heat can cause injuries to the entire body, including the ears.
Causes and symptoms of ear bruises
The risk of having an otohematoma increases in dogs that, out of habit or habit, move their heads sideways. It can even happen when, after water enters the ears, they shake their ears with force.
For this reason, they say that there are certain conditions related to ear bruises, such as allergies and fungal or parasitic infections. This problem can also occur when the animal has fleas or ticks and, when trying to scratch itself, it ends up hurting the blood vessels inside the ear.
Other causes of ear bruises in dogs and cats are infections, the presence of a foreign object or the development of certain parasites such as mites. Among the main symptoms of otohematoma, we can find:
- Painful inflammation with fluid in the ears.
- Itching in the ears.
- Skin lesions of the ears and ears.
- Redness.
- Alopecia or hairless ear parts.
- I cry when I touch the dog’s ear.
How to avoid or treat
It is important not to allow the bruise to become a large lump in the ear. Firstly, because this is uncomfortable for the animal, and secondly, because it can burst at any time and smear everything with blood and pus.
Ear bruises are quite evident : in mild cases, it is a small nodule that, when lightly pressed, reveals the presence of fluid and, in more severe situations – accompanied by a warm or reddened ear – the nodule is firmer. In the latter case, it is important to take the animal to the veterinarian immediately.
The professional will pierce the area with a syringe to extract the liquids. But this is not the final solution, as this empty bag would be filled with liquids in a short time. Therefore, the recommended treatment is surgery, which cauterizes (closes) the bag duct so that there are no future problems.
To avoid all this suffering for our pet, it is very important to prevent such a lump or bag of blood and pus from forming. So pay close attention to changes in behavior: if the animal doesn’t let its head be touched, if it wags its ears all the time, and if it cries in its sleep.
Without a doubt, prevention also consists of drying the ears well on rainy days or after bathing, checking that there are no injuries caused by other animals and eliminating fleas and ticks through the use of pipettes or other treatments. In this way, we will be able to reduce as much as possible the appearance and consequences of ear bruises.
