A Repeat Offender. The Ear Hematoma

How miserable does this poor kitty look? When I entered the exam room I was met by this uncomfortable face. She was a quick easy diagnosis.

I skimmed through her medical record.

• indoor cat
• spayed
• friendly
• up to date on all veterinary care
• new patient to our clinic
• previous history of ear hematomas

Her ear is full of fluid and looks like a pillow. The fluid in the ears is making them hang. Instead of having normal looking ear flaps that stand up (erect ears) she looks like a Scottish Fold that just spent ten rounds in the boxing ring.

The veterinary terminology for this condition is aural hematoma. A hematoma is a collection of blood that is stuck in a pocket. It is like a bruise.

Hematomas happen due to trauma. Either self induced trauma like scratching your ears, or shaking your head so violently that the blood vessels in your ear rupture. The blood then pools between the front and back skin and around the thin piece of cartilage in the ear flap. The pool of blood resembles a pillow. The problem with a hematoma in your ear is that the blood has no place to go. The hematoma gets stuck. Without some way to provide drainage for the hematoma it will just sit there. Over time the blood coagulates, solidifies and causes the ear flap to scar and distort. In people (boxers in particular) we call it 'cauliflower ear." In pets the ear flap contracts, shrivels, and calcifies. Pets with chronic recurrent ear hematomas develop scrunched deformed ear flaps that close off the ear canal, precluding air circulation, and trap dirt, debris, moisture, and other gook inside.

I see ear hematomas primarily for the following reasons;

Dogs;

1. Ear infections.
2. Allergies.
3. Fleas.
4. Scabies.
5. Playing or rough housing with another pet and they either run into some hard object, or the other dog is playing/biting on the ears.

Cats;

1. Allergies.
2. Fleas.
3. Ear mites.

Although if it is a wild/feral cat the above is reversed.

When this kitty came to see me her dad knew what the diagnosis was and he already knew what the treatment plan would include. He had been down this road before. 

Before I could say anything he said, "So, is it OK if I just leave her here until you can do her surgery?"

Many of us vets are happy to have a client that already understands and accepts the diagnosis and treatment plan, it saves us lots of talking and explaining.

But this vet likes to talk. More accurately I like to educate.

"Well, I think that we do need to drain this ear, but I wonder how this happened? Can we talk about that?"

He looked at me quizzically?

"Umm?...Well?...I don't know how it happened?" He replied hesitantly.

We began a discussion of her history, her diet, her in home care, her previous veterinary care and her environment. Initially her dad seemed a bit put off by the barrage of questions. He was here to drop her off and get on with the rest of his day.

We discussed the cat list above. Why would an inside, parasite free, only pet in the household have bilateral ear hematomas? Why would she get them again after a year?

He started to see the reason for my questions and the Q & A turned into a round table discussion.

Isn't it far better to not only treat this episode, BUT also prevent the next one?

Seeing your vet for a problem shouldn't be just about getting a diagnosis and a treatment plan, BUT also preventing?

Next time you are in your vets office ask them about preventative care, it's part of the healthcare plan.

Here is an article on aural hematomas, but I would not recommend treating this at home, and I do not inject steroids into ears.

If you have any questions about this or any other pet care items you can ask me, or any of the other Advisors at Pawbly.com, or @pawbly.

Other blogs on this subject: Aural Hematomas. The veterinarians guide to treating. Dog version.