Hi i would really appreciate any advice on this...My 5 yr old lab got bit on her ear by another dog, this caused a ear hematoma ( where the ear flap fills up with blood ) The vets started by syringing the blood out which instantly looked better but within a few days the ear was like a balloon again. So the next visit she had to have surgery. I can,t remember what the procedure was called but they made a zigzag cut in her ear to allow the blood to drip out. She was sent home with a cone collar, antibiotics painkillers etc. The next few weeks were awful, blood everywhere when she shook her head, i was cleaning her neck and ear every few hours. It just seemed to go on forever and never looked as if it was going to heal...finally after 3 weeks when it did she was due to go in and have her stitches removed and i noticed that her ear was again filling with blood.Back at the vets they have now syringed it again and said they will do this again another 2 or 3 times... does anyone know of any other way of dealing with this, i just don't seem to be getting any where and i don't want to put her through more surgery if its not necessary .. Many thanks
Hi there, it sounds like a pretty awful experience for you both. I'm afraid I can't be of any particular help here, but do know that with human ears, if you don't relieve pressure on the ear cartilage by reducing the size of the haematoma, that it causes damage to the cartilage of the ear and causes a "cauliflower ear" (rugby players ear?). I wonder if there is a doggy version of a pressure bandage that could help? I hope you manage to get it cleared up soon
When I worked for a vet, many, many years ago, he made a cut in the ear flap to let the blood out, then stitched buttons each side to keep the flap flat, so that there was no cauliflower ear. I do think you will probably have to have more surgery. Does she shake her head/ears as this will cause the haematoma to form again. You could try putting the ear flap on top of the dog's head and put a leg of some tights over to keep the ear still and to stop blood being spattered over the house.
pammy32 sorry I don't have any advice to give. I just wanted to say I hope it's resolved quickly and very sorry to hear you both have had such a dreadful experience.
I don't have any advice for you, sorry. I'm sorry that you are having a tough time with this. The only thing I can suggest, if you are not happy with the options your vets are giving you, is seek a second option or a specialist if one is available for such matters. I do hope you get it sorted.....
Goodness, sounds like a trial for you both! I hope you can get it sorted out soon...I would agree with Julie to get another opinion if you aren't happy with your pup's progress.
