Ear Hematomas in Pets

Ear Hematomas in Pets

Ear Hematomas in Pets

There is usually an underlying cause for the reason that your pet is mutilating their own ear and correcting the cause is the only way to prevent it from reoccurring.

This condition is also known as aural hematomas, auricular hematomas, or simply as blood blisters. In dogs, they are most common in breeds that have floppy ears such as Hounds, Setters, Spaniels, and Dalmatians. Although not quite as common in cats, it is usually more serious as cats can more easily scratch their ears and inflict damage.

Ear hematomas can affect any breed or sex of cats or dogs, at any age, and at any time. Pets with chronic ear problems, ear mites, or ear infections, as well as a pet that constantly scratches at their ears, are especially at risk.

What is Ear Hematoma?

They are blood blisters that are caused by blood vessels in the ear that have ruptured, and as a result the loose space that is located under your pet's skin fills up with blood. This pressure from the rupture often causes most of the surface of the ear to swell up. Your pet clawing or pawing at their ears, or shaking their heads violently in reaction to this pressure can cause even more vessels to burst.

This process can happen very quickly, often within a few hours after the vessels have ruptured. Once the blister has formed your pet is in a lot of pain. If left untreated it may subside on its own temporarily, but the swelling will eventually return. As it returns, the space that has filled with blood starts to generate scar tissue. Once this happens and if not treated quickly, disfigurement of the ear will occur.

Causes of Ear Hematoma:

In most every case with ear hematomas, the underlying cause is chronic ear infections. In puppies and kittens the most common cause will be ear mites. The same mite will affect both, and the most common mite will be the Otodectes cynotis mite.

These mites are extremely contagious and can be spread from dog to dog, dogs to cats, mothers to their offspring, as well as from other animals such as rabbits, hamsters, ferrets, and mice. Contrary to a popular myth, ear mites can live and thrive in any part of your pet's body, not just the ears.

The shape of a pet's ear may also be the cause this condition, especially in dogs. Large and floppy ears rupture much easier and also impede air from circulating freely, allowing for more infection. Skin allergies may also be the culprit, as your pet's ear is lined with what is called modified skin.

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