Sprockette has an aural hematoma

[MySprockette]

I was just letting Sprockette tonight when I noticed that her ear has partially filled up like a balloon. At the moment I don't have the money to take her in to get it fixed. Will she be okay if I have to leave it for a few days? I don't want her to sit around in pain, but I have a bunch of expenses that are already taking up what money we have... I could ask my mom, but I feel like I'm always asking her for stuff. Any advice?

[POPTOP]

Before Bandit joined us, he had an ear hematoma. It had to be surgically opened, drained and closed. It can result of a "cauliflower" ear flap when healing.

[smartrock]

One of our boxers had an ear flap hematoma also. Like Bandit, it had to be opened up and drained. If it's not getting any larger, it might be OK to wait a few days. I don't know of any ways to get it to resolve on its own, I'd have to search online to see if anyone has any suggestions for that. One problem is that it probably feels weird to Sprockette and she might want to scratch at her ear or shake her head which can cause more bleeding into the ear flap. I hope you find some resolution.

[lovemylabby]

Oh dear...your dog really needs to see your Vet soon. An untreated ear hematoma can result in "cauliflower ear".

It is most likely uncomfortable for your dog as well.

It needs to be opened up, drained and surgically put back together..it can be a long healing process, but it will save the integrity of the ear.

[POPTOP]

Do want to add that Bandit's ear was opened from the underside and he had a small scar. However, the ear retained it soft, pliable feel and unless you were told, you'd never know it happened.

[Annette47]

It will eventually heal on it’s own, but it will leave the ear permanently deformed. Scully had one once that was surgically repaired and the result was like Poptop’s Bandit ... small scar but you wouldn’t know to look at it.

[labsnewfy]

Depending on how big it is I wouldn't wait too long to have her ear looked at, poor Sprockette. Sarah had a hematoma and had to have a drain tube put in, if I remember correctly they just did a light sedation to drain the ear flap and put in the tube with stitches. The ear will absorb some of the blood/fluid if left untreated it will get thick in the area. I have been looking at a little yellow senior girl she has had several ear hematoma that had not been treated. Both ears are thick and cauliflower look to her, the left ear actually sticks out now because of it.

Healing thoughts for Sprockette

[MySprockette]

I'm going to call the vet Monday and see how much it will cost, it doesn't help that I'm sick now and I start training for job number two on Monday as well.... Hopefully I can work something out to get her ear taken care of.

[swanska]

Something for you to explore...

Shadow just had his second aural hematoma. The first one occurred a few years ago and we went the surgical route which required anesthesia and several weeks of wearing the cone. It looks and feels pretty nice. I was told that I had to keep the incision draining -- because he wouldn't let me near his ear that meant near daily trips to the vet so that they could remove the scab. He was out of commission for about 4-5 weeks.

This time, I did what I wanted to last time. I found a brave vet to try LEECHES! Hirudutherapy. Here is a site that explains it: What Can Leeches Be Used For? - Biopharm Leeches. I'm not sure if this is where our leeches came from but the site is informative.

This was a first time experience for the vet so we all had fun learning about it. Shadow didn't have to be put to sleep, we went to the vets about 5 times for treatment and he had the 3-5 medical leeches applied each time, received about an hour's worth of petting each time from all of the techs who were fascinated with the process...and an hours worth of treats to keep him distracted. His tail was constantly wagging and would speed up as the leech crawled around to find the optimal spot (we think it tickled). The leeches' saliva numbs the skin as they start snacking and when they are completely full, they drop off (~20 min). Afterwards, you need to wipe the bites to keep the blood draining for a few hours (the leeches leave behind an anticoagulant). When the vet got the blood reduced to staying at about a quarter size, he used a needle to drain the last of the blood and then injected some prednisone into his ear. 2 days later the ear was flat with a tiny crimp and now I'd say it is back to normal and smooth with just one 1/4" line with some tension -- the other ear had something similar that now seems to have vanished.

Cost wise, it might have been a little more than the surgery but we probably only needed to do the leeches 3 times. There was minimal stress for me and Shadow didn't need anesthesia and then have to deal with the side effects of that, the surgery, etc. He wore a snood for 1.5 weeks so he couldn't flap his ears and only missed 16 days of the dog park. He did take an antibiotic as a precaution.

If another hematoma appeared (knock on wood), I'd go the leech route again. My vet will have more experience! So will I.

[Blackboy98]

Something for you to explore...

Shadow just had his second aural hematoma. The first one occurred a few years ago and we went the surgical route which required anesthesia and several weeks of wearing the cone. It looks and feels pretty nice. I was told that I had to keep the incision draining -- because he wouldn't let me near his ear that meant near daily trips to the vet so that they could remove the scab. He was out of commission for about 4-5 weeks.

This time, I did what I wanted to last time. I found a brave vet to try LEECHES! Hirudutherapy. Here is a site that explains it: What Can Leeches Be Used For? - Biopharm Leeches. I'm not sure if this is where our leeches came from but the site is informative.

This was a first time experience for the vet so we all had fun learning about it. Shadow didn't have to be put to sleep, we went to the vets about 5 times for treatment and he had the 3-5 medical leeches applied each time, received about an hour's worth of petting each time from all of the techs who were fascinated with the process...and an hours worth of treats to keep him distracted. His tail was constantly wagging and would speed up as the leech crawled around to find the optimal spot (we think it tickled). The leeches' saliva numbs the skin as they start snacking and when they are completely full, they drop off (~20 min). Afterwards, you need to wipe the bites to keep the blood draining for a few hours (the leeches leave behind an anticoagulant). When the vet got the blood reduced to staying at about a quarter size, he used a needle to drain the last of the blood and then injected some prednisone into his ear. 2 days later the ear was flat with a tiny crimp and now I'd say it is back to normal and smooth with just one 1/4" line with some tension -- the other ear had something similar that now seems to have vanished.

Cost wise, it might have been a little more than the surgery but we probably only needed to do the leeches 3 times. There was minimal stress for me and Shadow didn't need anesthesia and then have to deal with the side effects of that, the surgery, etc. He wore a snood for 1.5 weeks so he couldn't flap his ears and only missed 16 days of the dog park. He did take an antibiotic as a precaution.

If another hematoma appeared (knock on wood), I'd go the leech route again. My vet will have more experience! So will I.

Now that is really cool for this problem. Wish more vets were open to 'alternative solutions' than drugs and surgeries.