Aural haematoma in dogs – signs and vet care
Book a vet visitBook a vet appointment if you think your dog has this – a vet needs to confirm it and plan the treatment. It is a blood-filled swelling in the flap of your dog's ear.
What you can do now
- Contact your vet.
- Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see.
- Take a photo or short video to show the vet.
- Let your dog rest somewhere calm.
Don't
- Do not give any human medicine.
- Do not wait if it gets worse.
What it is
An aural haematoma is a blood-filled swelling of the ear flap.[1] Aural haematomas are nearly always the result of another problem.[1]
Signs
Causes and risk factors
How a vet finds out
- Physical examination
- Full examination to look for the underlying problem
- Looking into the ear canal
How vets treat it
- Surgery
- Antibiotics
- Pain relief
- Medication
- Steroids
What the experts say
“Overview. An aural haematoma is a blood-filled swelling of the ear flap (pinna). Most aural haematomas are caused by head shaking or ear scratching due to an ear infection, ear mites or itchy skin.”
Not sure how serious it is?
OkPaw asks a few quick questions about your pet and tells you in 30 seconds whether it can wait. Free on Google Play for Android.
OkPaw is on Android now – an iPhone version is on its way.
Common questions
What signs can an aural haematoma cause?
Signs can include a swollen ear flap, head shaking, ear scratching and head tilt.[1]
How will a vet check my dog?
A vet will give your dog a full examination and look into the ear canal to check for underlying issues.[1]
What treatment might a vet use?
Treatment may include steroids to reduce swelling.[1]
Sources
How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages
Cherry Eye