How Long Does It Take for a Dogs Ear Hematoma To Go Away? Vet-Reviewed Facts

An aural hematoma of a dog’s ear can be a painful condition that occurs because of accumulated blood from a broken blood vessel that accumulates within the tissue of the ear flap. If left untreated, a dog’s ear hematoma can take up to 6 weeks to reduce in size or simply may not go away. However, if the hematoma is not treated appropriately, the surrounding ear tissue can still be damaged.

Although unsightly and uncomfortable for the dog, ear hematomas are non-fatal. We will give you all the answers you need in this article when it comes to dealing with ear hematomas in dogs.

How To Tell If Your Dog Has an Ear Hematoma

Dogs can get ear hematomas when the blood vessels in the ear tissue burst which then leads to blood flowing into the space between the skin and cartilage, forming a blood clot and swelling. There are a few reasons why dogs develop ear hematomas, typically from trauma to the ear by vigorous head shaking, possibly due to an ear infection. Dogs who have long, droopy ears are most likely to be affected by this condition.

Certain injuries can also cause your dog to suddenly develop an ear hematoma, along with scratches and wounds. Dogs who are prone to clotting disorders are also more likely to develop ear hematomas, which are worsened if they are excessive head shakers.

Ear hematomas in dogs can be quite painful and worsened by dogs who try to shake their heads and get rid of the discomfort they are feeling in their ear. These symptoms can indicate that a hematoma is forming in your dog’s ear, but it can also be the result of a medical condition which makes it important to take your dog to a veterinarian as soon as the symptoms present themselves.

How Long Does It Take for a Dog's Ear Hematoma To Disappear?

The time it takes for your dog’s ear hematoma to go away and resolve depends on how it's treated. Some ear hematomas in dogs will become reabsorbed, but this process may take weeks, depending on the severity of the hematoma. Due to the discomfort associated with them, it's recommended to consult with your veterinarian who can recommend medical, and oftentimes surgical, intervention.

How To Treat an Ear Hematoma In Dogs

If your dog has a small aural hematoma, it may easily be drained with a needle and given steroids to help prevent the affected area from refilling with blood. That said, this is not always effective as it still may fill right back up so in this case and with larger ear hematomas, surgery is often required to remove all the bloody fluid that has accumulated between the auricular cartilage and skin.

Some veterinarians will recommend a pressure wrap to be applied to your dog’s head to prevent the hematoma from forming again, which should be kept on for up to a week. A veterinarian will most likely prescribe pain medication and antibiotics for your dog to help relieve discomfort and prevent infection.

Final Thoughts

If you suspect that your dog has an ear hematoma, they should be taken to the veterinarian. It's better to have your dog treated for the damage and blood clotting that has formed in their ear so that it can heal properly, rather than waiting for the hematoma to go away on its own and possibly worsen or recur because the ear is still damaged.

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