together.
This is a picture of a dog with a really, really big ear. Obviously this is not normal. What is going on here is a condition known as an aural (ear) hematoma. The ear pinna, or ear lobe, is filling with a bloody fluid and is painful and uncomfortable. These hematomas usually come about from the dog (or cat) shaking their head and/or rubbing it on the floor. In most cases an underlying cause can be identified, as is the case with this sweet guy. Skyler is his name and he battles chronic ear infections, however this was the first time his infection lead to an ear hematoma. It would seem logical the only treatment needed to alleviate the hematoma would be drainage, but in most cases it requires surgical intervention. If all we did was drain the fluid, in just a few short days the fluid would return and we would be right back where we started. In the picture I have made an "S" shaped incision into the ear, drained the bloody fluid, and removed the blood clots that form as the hematoma sits. In order to prevent the hematoma from recurring, we place sutures in the ear pinna to tack it back together. The picture to the left shows the finished product. Oftentimes, as in Skyler's case, we tack the ear to the top of the head to prevent the ear from further damage due to head shaking. In other cases we may bandage the head in an effort to reduce shaking or place an Elizabethan collar on the patient...also known as the cone of shame. Although the hematoma has been repaired, treatment does not stop there. As stated earlier, hematomas are a result of an underlying cause, and that issue must be addressed to prevent recurrence. In Skyler's case, we placed him on ear washes once a day and prescribed laser treatment. Ear infections are a condition we treat with the laser with excellent results. Skyler had a total of five laser treatment every 2-3 days. Some cases require 6-8 treatments. Fourteen days from the date of surgery, his sutures were removed. His ear infection was clear, and his Elizabethan collar was removed. Skyler is happy to be at home!
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Dr. Haley Hydrick Clark
Dr. Haley Hydrick Clark graduated from the University of Georgia in 1998 with a degree in Animal Science and from Tuskegee University in 2002 with a degree in Veterinary Medicine. Archives
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