Ear hematoma?

[Cam]

I've got one on a hound for two weeks now. I've cut open and drained four different times but it keeps coming back. It's about the size of a thumb from tip to first joint. Will the body absorb the fluid after awhile? What are my options? Hear the surgery is over $500 bucks.

[S_B]

Can you post a picture?

I had a bitch get one years ago. I had to secure a drain to get rid of it.

Bad thing about a hematoma on the ear is they will keep shaking their head, which can remove the drain and keep causing the hematoma.

Also when it finally healed, she looked like a wrestler with a cauliflower ear!

S_B

[S_B]

Cam, the official term is Aural Hematoma. Just did a Google search and found lots of helpful info, even YouTube vids.


Good luck!

[Cam]

What did you use for a drain and what would be the best way to secure it. Will try and take a pic this evening.

[S_B]

It was a tool specifically for that. Looks like a small screw driver, you "punch" it into the hematoma and release the port like devise.

Honestly it was a long time ago, and I don't recall the name of the tool.

I'm sure most vets will have the tool, they'd just rather you opt for the more expensive surgery.

S_B

[Cam]

Thanks gonna try and get a drain in hasn't went down at all.

[S_B]

It isn't going to go down without a release of the fluids.

The problem with the hematoma is the location in that really thin skin. It just heals to quickly. If your dog will stay still, you could use a scalpel and cut out a small flap of skin shaped like () sort of. And follow up with antibiotics.

That relieves the pressure, releases the fluid but the dog shaking and that skin healing quickly could still be troublesome.

If you are not confident is the procedure I described, then do not attempt it.

S_B

[Cam]

Good info. Gonna hit it again tonite I guess. I may wait until I get my cephalexin on Friday to do the (). Would prefer some dissolving drain to put in or something. All the vets I called say bring him in they dont sell that tool you speak of. And of course once he's in there they want to give home more shit than he needs. I give all my shots other than rabies.

[Cam]

Have been trying to load a pic from iPad but can't figure it out. Will try from cell phone

[SteelyDan]

I've read about stitching or stapling the hematoma back together while the drain is in place to prevent more fluid build up. Helps the skin heal back together. Did u have to do that SB?