What's the cause of thick and swollen dog ears?

Thick and swollen dog ears may be due to an ear hematoma. An ear hematoma is mainly caused by mechanical injury or secondary infection, such as a dog scratching its ears with its claws or suffering from external otitis, which can cause rupture of the large blood vessels in the ear, leading to blood accumulation in the ear. Surgical treatment is generally recommended, along with careful post-operative care. If left untreated, the dog's ears will swell extensively, possibly spreading to other tissues and even leading to ear necrosis.

Symptoms of Dog Ear Hematoma
Hot ear

Since an ear hematoma is caused by capillary rupture and has local inflammation, it will be hot.

Ear swelling

There will be a fluctuating sensation when touched, and the pain is not obvious.

Liquid in the swollen ear

The puncture fluid of the swollen ear is mainly red. It is recommended to perform local incision and drainage, and surgical treatment if the effect is poor.

Causes of Dog Ear Hematoma

A dog ear hematoma occurs when the vessels inside the dog's ear are ruptured under the influence of external forces, causing internal bleeding and separating the ear skin and cartilage, forming a fixed swelling filled with fluid. Dog ear hematomas usually occur on the inner side of the ear, and if infected, they may form abscesses. The likelihood of bilateral ear hematomas is relatively small.

How to Treat Dog Ear Hematoma

Dog ear hematomas are mainly treated surgically in clinical practice. First, clean the dog's ear canal and ear, shave the hair around the ear, and expose the ear hematoma site. Then, make a small incision at the bottom of the ear hematoma, and drain the exuded tissue fluid. Next, inject coagulation drugs and antibiotics into the cavity to prevent infection. Finally, suture the wound and disinfect it, fix the ear position to prevent the dog from scratching the infected wound later.

Note: Always pay attention to the dog's hygiene and regularly deworm both internally and externally to prevent hematomas caused by parasite infections or mosquito bites.