If the dog's ears are very swollen, it may be an ear hematoma. Ear hematoma is mainly caused by mechanical injury or secondary infection, such as a dog scratching the ear with its paws or otitis externa, which can cause the large blood vessels in the ear to rupture and blood to accumulate in the ear. It is generally recommended to perform surgical treatment on dogs and provide careful postoperative care. If left untreated, your dog's ears will swell extensively, possibly spreading to other tissues, or even causing ear necrosis.
1. Symptoms of ear hematoma in dogs
1. Ear fever
Because ear hematoma is caused by capillary rupture, there is also local inflammation, so it will be hot.
2. Swelling of the ear
If you touch it with your hands, you will feel fluctuations, but the pain will not be obvious.
3. There is fluid in the swollen ear
The puncture fluid in the swollen ear is mainly red. It is recommended to perform local incision and drainage. If the effect is not good, surgical treatment can be performed.
2. The cause of dog ear hematoma
Dog ear hematoma is caused by the rupture of blood vessels in the dog’s auricle under the action of external factors, causing internal bleeding and causing ear damage. The skin and cartilage separate and become inflamed, forming a fixed, fluid-filled swelling. Dog ear hematomas generally occur on the inside of the auricle, and abscesses may form after infection. Ear hematomas that occur on both sides of the auricle are less likely.
3. How to treat dog ear hematoma
Clinical treatment of dog ear hematoma is mainly surgical. First, you need to clean the dog's ear canal and auricle, shave the hair around the ear, and expose the ear hematoma area. Then a small incision is made at the lower end of the ear hematoma to drain the tissue fluid that oozes out of it. Clotting drugs and antibiotics are then injected into the cavity to prevent infection. Finally, the wound is sutured and disinfected, and the ear position is fixed to prevent the dog from scratching and infecting the wound later.
Note: You must pay attention to the cleanliness of your dog and regularly deworm your dog internally and externally to avoid hematoma caused by parasitic infection, mosquito bites, etc.