Dog Ear Hematoma: Causes, Treatment & Cost Guide

What Is a Dog Ear Hematoma?

An aural hematoma (ear hematoma) is a collection of blood that forms between the skin and cartilage of a dog's ear flap (pinna). It occurs when blood vessels in the ear rupture and blood pools in the space between tissue layers.

Think of it like a blood blister, but inside the ear flap. The ear becomes swollen with fluid and feels like a small water balloon or puffy pillow.

Key characteristics:

Location: Inside the ear flap (pinna), between skin layers
Appearance: Swollen, puffy, fluid-filled pocket
Feel: Soft, squishy, warm to the touch
Size: Can range from small to affecting the entire ear flap
Painful: Usually tender, causing head tilting and ear sensitivity

Symptoms and Signs of Ear Hematoma

Ear hematomas develop quickly, often within hours. Here's what to look for:

Physical Signs

* Swollen ear flap (partial or full)
* Ear feels warm and squishy
* Fluid-filled "balloon" appearance
* Ear droops more than usual
* May be red or discolored
* Affected ear heavier than normal

Behavioral Signs

* Head shaking (often the cause)
* Head tilting toward affected ear
* Ear scratching
* Resistance to ear touching
* Whining or signs of pain
* Decreased appetite (if painful)

Also Check For:

Signs of the underlying cause - ear infection symptoms include brown/black discharge, odor, redness inside the ear canal, and excessive wax. Allergies may cause itchy skin elsewhere, licking paws, or face rubbing.

What Causes Ear Hematomas in Dogs?

Ear hematomas result from trauma to the ear that breaks blood vessels. The most common scenario is violent head shaking or ear scratching caused by:

Underlying Cause	Description	Frequency
Ear Infections	Bacterial, yeast, or fungal infections causing itching	Most Common
Allergies	Food or environmental allergies causing ear inflammation	Very Common
Ear Mites	Parasites causing intense itching (more common in puppies)	Common
Foreign Objects	Grass seeds, debris stuck in ear canal	Moderate
Trauma	Direct injury from bite, hit, or accident	Less Common
Blood Disorders	Clotting problems that make bleeding more likely	Rare

Dogs at Higher Risk

Floppy-eared breeds: Basset Hounds, Beagles, Cocker Spaniels, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers - their ears hit their heads during shaking
Dogs with chronic ear infections: Recurrent infections mean more head shaking
Allergic dogs: More prone to ear inflammation and scratching
Dogs with excessive ear hair: Poodles, Schnauzers - hair can trap moisture and debris

Treatment Options for Ear Hematomas

Treatment goals are to: (1) remove the accumulated blood, (2) prevent recurrence, and (3) treat the underlying cause. Several approaches exist:

1. Aspiration (Drainage)

The vet uses a needle and syringe to drain the blood from the ear. This is the simplest option but has a high recurrence rate (70-80%) because the empty space refills with blood.

Pros: Quick, inexpensive, minimal anesthesia
Cons: Usually recurs, may need multiple drainages
Best for: Small hematomas, dogs who can't undergo surgery

2. Drainage with Steroid Injection

After draining, a corticosteroid is injected to reduce inflammation and help prevent refilling. Slightly better success rate than aspiration alone.

3. Surgical Correction (Recommended)

The gold standard treatment with the best outcomes and lowest recurrence rate (under 10%).

The procedure involves:

Making an incision to drain the hematoma completely
Placing multiple sutures through the ear to prevent space for blood to reaccumulate
Sutures are placed in a pattern that tacks the skin layers together
A bandage or head wrap may be applied

Pros: Most effective, best cosmetic outcome, lowest recurrence
Cons: Requires anesthesia, higher cost, recovery period

4. Teat Cannula/Drain Placement

A small tube is placed through the hematoma to allow continuous drainage over several weeks. Less invasive than surgery but requires monitoring.

5. No Treatment (Not Recommended)

Left untreated, the body will eventually reabsorb the blood over 4-6 weeks. However, this results in:

Permanent ear deformity ("cauliflower ear")
Thickened, shriveled, crinkled ear
Ongoing discomfort during healing
Underlying cause remains untreated

Treating the Underlying Cause

Regardless of which hematoma treatment is chosen, addressing the underlying cause is crucial. If the ear infection or allergy isn't treated, your dog will keep shaking their head and may develop another hematoma - even in the other ear.

Treatment Costs

Ear hematoma treatment costs vary based on the method, location, and whether the underlying cause requires additional treatment.

Treatment	Cost Range	Notes
Aspiration Only	$100-$300	May need to repeat multiple times
Aspiration + Steroid	$150-$400	Better than aspiration alone
Surgical Correction	$500-$1,500	Includes anesthesia, most effective
Drain Placement	$200-$600	Plus follow-up visits
Ear Infection Treatment	$100-$300	Exam, meds, follow-up
Total (Surgery + Infection)	$600-$2,000	Typical comprehensive treatment

Additional costs may include:

Initial exam: $50-$100
Bloodwork (pre-surgery): $100-$200
E-collar: $15-$30
Follow-up visits: $50-$75 each
Pain medication: $20-$50

Recovery and Aftercare

Recovery time depends on the treatment method:

After Surgery

Sutures removed: 10-14 days after surgery
E-collar required: To prevent scratching during healing
Head bandage: May be required for first few days
Activity restriction: Limit activity for 1-2 weeks
Ear medications: To treat underlying infection
Follow-up visits: To check healing and remove sutures

Home Care Tips

Keep the E-collar on at all times until cleared by vet
Give all medications as prescribed
Keep the ear clean and dry
Monitor for swelling, discharge, or odor
Prevent head shaking (E-collar helps)
Don't let your dog swim or get ears wet

Call Your Vet If:

* Swelling returns or worsens
* Discharge or foul odor from the ear
* Sutures come loose or fall out early
* Your dog seems in significant pain
* Excessive head shaking resumes

How to Prevent Ear Hematomas

Since most ear hematomas are caused by head shaking from ear problems, prevention focuses on ear health:

Ear Care Routine

Clean ears regularly: Weekly for dogs prone to ear problems, especially floppy-eared breeds
Dry ears after swimming/bathing: Moisture promotes infections
Check ears weekly: Look for redness, odor, discharge, or debris
Regular grooming: Groomers can help with ear cleaning and hair removal

Treat Problems Promptly

See vet at first sign of ear scratching or head shaking
Complete full course of ear medications - don't stop early
Address allergies with proper management
Follow-up on chronic ear infections

For Dogs Who've Had Hematomas

Be extra vigilant about ear checks
Keep an E-collar on hand to use at first sign of head shaking
Consider regular preventive ear care appointments
Work with your vet on allergy management if applicable

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a dog ear hematoma?▼

A dog ear hematoma (aural hematoma) is a blood-filled swelling in the ear flap (pinna). It occurs when blood vessels break and blood pools between the skin and cartilage of the ear, creating a fluid-filled pocket. The ear flap becomes swollen, warm, and may look like a puffy pillow.

What causes ear hematomas in dogs?▼

Ear hematomas are typically caused by head shaking or ear scratching due to ear infections, allergies, ear mites, or foreign objects in the ear. The trauma from violent head shaking breaks blood vessels. Dogs with floppy ears are more prone because their ears hit their heads when shaking.

How much does ear hematoma treatment cost?▼

Ear hematoma treatment costs range from $300-$2,000 depending on the method. Aspiration/drainage costs $100-$300 but often recurs. Surgical correction with anesthesia typically costs $500-$1,500. Treatment of underlying ear infections adds $100-$300. Some cases may require multiple treatments.

Will a dog ear hematoma go away on its own?▼

While ear hematomas may eventually resolve without treatment, this takes months and results in permanent ear deformity (cauliflower ear) due to scar tissue. The ear becomes thickened, shriveled, and misshapen. Treatment is recommended to prevent disfigurement and address the underlying cause like ear infection.

How do you treat a dog ear hematoma at home?▼

Home treatment alone is not recommended for ear hematomas - veterinary care is necessary for proper drainage and to treat underlying causes. At home, you can prevent further damage by using an E-collar to stop scratching, keeping the ear clean, and addressing any ear infection with prescribed medications.

How can I prevent ear hematomas in my dog?▼

Prevent ear hematomas by addressing the underlying causes: treat ear infections promptly, manage allergies, check ears regularly for mites or debris, keep ears clean and dry, and see your vet at the first sign of head shaking or ear scratching. Regular ear cleaning and grooming helps catch problems early.

The Bottom Line

Ear hematomas are painful blood blisters in the ear flap that won't heal properly without veterinary treatment. While not life-threatening emergencies, they require prompt attention to prevent permanent ear deformity and to address the underlying cause - usually an ear infection or allergies.

Surgical correction offers the best outcomes with the lowest recurrence rate. Though it costs more upfront ($500-$1,500), it's often more cost-effective than repeated drainages and provides the best cosmetic result.

Prevention is key: keep your dog's ears clean and dry, address ear infections promptly, and see your vet at the first sign of excessive head shaking or ear scratching.