Ear Hematomas: Ear Care & Treatment for Your Pet
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Ear hematoma is a collection of blood under the cartilage of the ear flap (pinna). A hematoma may result from excessive scratching of the ear, or shaking of the head, due to an underlying ear infection or allergy. It may also be caused through trauma or after a bite wound from another pet.
The hematoma can be treated by draining off the blood and the application of a special ear support. But most hematomas treated in this way will reoccur.
The optimal treatment of hematomas requires surgery. The surgery involves incising the hematoma, draining it, and inserting special stitches. A hematoma in any breed with erect ears will likely result in some breaking of the ear. The affected ear may never be able to stand again correctly.
IN PETS WITH ERECT EARS IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT TO MINIMIZE POST-OPERATIVE CONTRACTURE OF THE PINNA, THE EAR MUST BE PROPERLY TAPED OR BONDED FOLLOWING THE SURGERY.
If this aftercare is not done, severe scarring, contracture, and breaking of the ear will likely occur. Most veterinarians are not trained in these post-operative bonding techniques for erect ears. Be sure to discuss this after surgery care with your veterinarian prior to surgery.
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| Andy's scarred, contracted ear following a hematoma ear surgery performed elsewhere. | Ear Implants Used to correct Andy's deformed ear. | Inserting a stainless steel ear implant during an ear surgery to attempt a correction of the ear conformation problem observed to the left. |
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| Post operative ear after corrective surgery | Radiograph showing stainless steel implant within ear | Custom foam ear support used after corrective ear surgery. |
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| Andy Two weeks after ear implant surgery. |
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