Ear Hematomas in Dogs: Causes, Treatment, and Prevention

3 min read

If you’ve ever noticed your dog’s ear suddenly swell up, feeling soft and squishy like a water balloon, you might be dealing with an ear hematoma. While it can be alarming to see, ear hematomas are a relatively common condition in dogs—and with prompt veterinary care, they can be treated effectively.

In this post, we’ll explain what ear hematomas are, what causes them, how they’re treated, and what you can do to prevent them from coming back.

What is an Ear Hematoma?

An ear hematoma is essentially a blood-filled swelling that develops between the skin and cartilage of your dog’s ear flap (pinna). This happens when small blood vessels inside the ear rupture, causing blood and fluid to pool.

The swelling may be small and localized or large and balloon-like, and it’s often warm and tender to the touch.

Common Causes of Ear Hematomas

Ear hematomas are almost always secondary to another issue that causes head shaking or ear scratching. Common culprits include:

• Ear infections – Bacterial or yeast infections are the leading cause

• Ear mites – More common in puppies and outdoor dogs

• Allergies – Environmental or food allergies can cause chronic ear irritation

• Trauma – Rough play or injury to the ear

• Foreign objects – Grass seeds, dirt, or debris stuck in the ear canal

💡 Key point: Treating the underlying cause is critical to prevent recurrence.

How Ear Hematomas Are Treated

Treatment depends on severity, but most cases require veterinary intervention. Options include:

1. Surgical Drainage & Repair

   • The vet makes a small incision to drain the blood and may place sutures to prevent refilling.

2. Needle Aspiration

   • A needle is used to draw out the fluid—less invasive but has a higher recurrence rate.

3. Steroid Injections

   • Sometimes used in conjunction with aspiration to reduce inflammation.

4. Treating the Underlying Cause

   • Antibiotics, antifungals, allergy meds, or mite treatment as needed.

📣 Without treatment, ear hematomas can harden and cause permanent ear deformity (“cauliflower ear”).

Recovery & Home Care

After treatment, your dog may need:

• An Elizabethan collar (cone) to prevent scratching

• Ear cleaning or medication for infections

• Follow-up visits to monitor healing

Most dogs recover fully within 2–4 weeks.

Prevention Tips

While not all hematomas are preventable, you can reduce the risk by:

• Checking ears weekly for redness, odor, or debris

• Treating ear infections promptly

• Managing allergies through diet and medication

• Keeping ears dry after baths and swimming

The Bottom Line

Ear hematomas can look scary, but with proper treatment, most dogs heal without long-term issues. The key is to address the root cause—whether that’s infection, mites, or allergies—so your dog stays comfortable and hematoma-free.

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