Auricular Hematoma

Auricular Hematomas occur from head shaking. This is most often due to ear disease. Control of the predisposing cause of head shaking is an important part of therapy. Surgery should be performed as soon as noticed since delay will lead to thickening of the ear. Standard surgical techniques are extensive, often require head bandaging and can be very frustrating for the client and the veterinarian treating the hematoma. The use of the bovine teat cannula has greatly decreased hassle of this repair. The hematoma is drained through a small stab wound at the tip of the swelling. Be sure to remove any fibrin clot felt in the hematoma, since it will recur if this is left. The cannula is placed through the small stab wound. Antibiotic ointment is applied daily around the cannula. The hematoma is kept empty by milking any accumulating fluid through the cannula. These are tolerated very well and do not require bandaging. They are left in for 2 weeks.