This week’s segment features Salley, the 14-year-old mixed-breed dog!! Salley initially came to us for a bacterial and yeast infection in her ear that was diagnosed and treated in the clinic. Unfortunately, due to the discomfort of the infection, Salley began to shake her head and scratch her ear and caused an ear hematoma. If your dog’s ear flap suddenly becomes swollen, puffy, and feels like it’s filled with fluid, they may have developed an ear hematoma. An ear hematoma occurs when blood vessels within the ear flap rupture, causing blood to collect between the layers of tissue.
Ear hematomas are often the result of excessive head shaking or scratching caused by underlying ear infections, allergies, ear mites, or other sources of irritation. While the swelling itself can be uncomfortable, it is important to identify and treat the underlying cause to prevent the problem from recurring.
Treatment options vary depending on the size and severity of the hematoma and may include drainage, medications, or surgical repair. Without treatment, the ear can heal with significant scarring and thickening, resulting in the characteristic “cauliflower ear” appearance.
Thanks to surgical correction by Dr. Emerson, Salley has fully recovered from her ear hematoma and is doing great!!!