Avon Lodge Veterinary Group

Each month we intend to put a number of popular questions to our vets relating to general pet health and care. Whilst in no way intended to replace a professional diagnosis, we hope that the information and advice provided on these pages are useful. There is also a number of excellent fact sheets created by the Blue Cross pet charity, to the right of this page.

Dog Questions:

Aural Haematomas

An Aural (ear) haematoma is a collection of blood or serum and, sometimes a blood clot within the pinna (ear flap). When present, the pinna will be very thickened and swollen. When something irritates the ear canal eg ear mites, foreign body or inflammation, the dog or cat will start shaking their head or scratching. Excessive shaking causes blood vessels to break, resulting in oozing or bleeding. The ear flap is composed of a layer of skin on each side of a layer of cartilage. This cartilage gives the ear flap its shape and the blood cannot drain away.
Sometimes, an aural haematoma will form spontaneously without any underlying ear disease and then it is thought that the condition is the body turning upon itself – a form of Auto-immune disease.

Treatment.

Drain fluid via a needle, easily and gently achieved, and then a steroid injection introduced via the same needle.
Treatment of underlying ear disease with ointments instilled into the ear following drainage. Systemic antibiotics and painkillers may also be required.
If the aural haematoma reforms repeated drainage on up to 2-3 occasions can be performed but if this does not give complete resolution then surgery is required
Once anaesthetised, the dog or cat has a small elliptical piece of inner skin removed and the upper and lower surfaces of the skin sutured together using soft sutures passed through tubing so that they do not pull through. The sutures are removed after 10-14 days and the ear heals very well
Doing nothing – this will result in a thickened, knarled ear flap and a “cauliflower” ear will result.

More Questions:

Why should I vaccinate my dog?

How often should I have it vaccinated?

What diseases does the vaccination guard against?

What is a microchip and should I get one for my dog?

What are worms and how can I tell if my dog has them?

How can I tell if my dog has fleas?

If I find fleas, how can I treat them?

Are ticks a problem in South Wiltshire?

How can I stop my dog from barking at the postman?

My dog thinks it’s the boss – how can I reassert my role as “top dog” in the household?

Why do dogs pant so much?