The Patient
Cooper, a 6 year old male neutered Labrador Retriever, came to see me after his owner noticed he was shaking his head and his right ear flap felt very swollen.
The Case
On examination, at least 50% of Cooper's right ear flap was puffy and fluid filled and is best described as feeling like a firm pillow. The ear canal itself was normal and clean and he did not have signs of an ear infection. I diagnosed Cooper with an aural hematoma. I see this disease quite commonly in dogs and more rarely in cats and is often associated with an ear infection or trauma to the ear flap, also known as the pinna. The swelling is not necessarily painful but it is heavy and feels strange to the animal so their instinct is to shake their head. Aural hematomas occur when a blood vessel leaks between the skin and the cartilage plate of the ear flap.
Source: Your Vet
The Treatment Plan
I recommended draining the fluid out of the ear and treating it medically first. If the swelling recurs, I sometimes will have to surgically repair the ear but I always start with draining first. I used a very tiny needle attached to a butterfly catheter to drain the thin bloody fluid out of the pinna and then instilled a small volume of a long acting steroid injection back into the "pocket" to help things to heal. I instructed the owner to prevent scratching at the ear by using an E-collar if necessary and to recheck him with me in 2 weeks. Sometimes, the ear flap will develop scarring and wrinkling as the hematoma heals but this is typically just a cosmetic issue. People get this disease too and it is often referred to as "cauliflower ear" or "wrestler's ear" as it is common in that sport as a result of physical trauma during a match.
Source: Prometheus
The Outcome
On the recheck exam, the ear flap was flat and painless and just a little bit thickened. If your pet's ear feels funny or your pet is shaking their head abnormally, please contact your veterinarian right away.
The Drake Center for Veterinary Care is an AAHA-accredited animal hospital located in Encinitas, CA. The Drake Center loves being a source of information for all pet owners across the country; however, if you have any questions regarding pet care and do not live in Encinitas, CA or surrounding cities, we encourage you to contact your local veterinarian.