Ear haematoma - to operate or not?

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abb123

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I've had my little re-homed golden retriever for 2 months now and she has developed an ear haematoma.

I'm not sure how she has done this - possibly scratching her ear or maybe shaking her head. Her ears are a tiny bit inflamed and red inside. The vet has given us some ear drops to sort this out and has suggested that she have an operation to remove the haematoma next week.

I'm just a bit unsure about her having an operation under a general anaesthetic that will involve a stay over at the vets and all the risks that go with that. I've asked about what would happen if we left it and can't really get a clear answer about whether it is necessary or not. The vet said that it will thicken the ear and there is some potential to cause discomfort. Another vet very much encouraged my mother to have the operation done on her dog many years ago and was adamant it was absolutely necessary. Stuff I have found on the internet seems to suggest that the operation is only needed for show dogs.

I'm obviously inclined to have the operation done as recommended by the vet but I just want to be sure it is the right thing for my darling little girl.

Any thoughts?
 
Get a second opinion. The gsd I know had it done and her ear has been permanently drooped, looks cute but not ideal.

For irritated ears, Thornit is a godsend. Amazon stock it.
 
cinnamontoast said:
Get a second opinion. The gsd I know had it done and her ear has been permanently drooped, looks cute but not ideal.

For irritated ears, Thornit is a godsend. Amazon stock it.
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Absolutely get a second opinion - I've only one experience of this but it didn't require surgery.

Show bred springer, think mahoosive ears, therefore mahoosive haematoma!! No idea what caused it but it came up overnight - full of blood.

Trip to vets, stuck a needle in and drained blood. Injected with steroid. Came back again but smaller. Drained and injected again, job's a goodun, never came back again - all without even sedation.

I did create a snood type garment for the boy to wear so his ears weren't bouncing while everything healed. This was the sleeve of an old sweatshirt worn as a hat...............soooooo very funny but it did the trick. If I can find an old photo, I'll post it :)
 
I agree with the poster who said get a second opinion.
My beagle had one, vet actually advised to leave it alone as it was fairly small and only interfere if it caused problems. 2 months later it was completely gone
 
The only one I have seen not operated on had a horrible looking cauliflower ear, so I would get it done. My kelpie had one and did have a droopy ear after the op, but at least it wasn't thickened, sore and always catching on things. It does depend how big it is.
 
If you are concerned I would get a second opinion. Sometimes they can be drained with a needle and syringe, or a stent placed to allow it to drain, and the dog given some medication. Sometimes they go away, but most of the time they come back as blood will continue to fill the space that the original haematoma has formed. This may need to be repeated or have surgery. Can lead to a heavily scarred cauliflower ear if not treated or is repeatedly drained, hence why sometimes surgery is the way to go, which prevents build up of blood again.

I would definitely get it treated one way or another, they can be uncomfortable/painful, as there is a build up of fluid in a tight space where there should not be any, and imo not fair to leave the dog with an uncomfortable ear.

The surgery is relatively quick and uncomplicated, I can't see why she would need to stay overnight at the vets. We normally send animals home same day. Although there are risks with general anaesthetics, they are minimal so long as your dog is otherwise healthy. You should be able to get pre-op bloods done prior to the surgery if requested.
 
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Umbongo said:
If you are concerned I would get a second opinion. Sometimes they can be drained with a needle and syringe, or a stent placed to allow it to drain, and the dog given some medication. Sometimes they go away, but most of the time they come back as blood will continue to fill the space that the original haematoma has formed. This may need to be repeated or have surgery. Can lead to a heavily scarred cauliflower ear if not treated or is repeatedly drained, hence why sometimes surgery is the way to go, which prevents build up of blood again.

I would definitely get it treated one way or another, they can be uncomfortable/painful, as there is a build up of fluid in a tight space where there should not be any, and imo not fair to leave the dog with an uncomfortable ear.

The surgery is relatively quick and uncomplicated, I can't see why she would need to stay overnight at the vets. We normally send animals home same day. Although there are risks with general anaesthetics, they are minimal so long as your dog is otherwise healthy. You should be able to get pre-op bloods done prior to the surgery if requested.
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Forgot to add, if my dog had this issue I would probably try drain/stent first before surgery.
 
Are you sure she'd need to stay in? Speak to the vet about options. Personally I drain 3 times on oral steroids, and then operate, unless they're super painful then operate immediately. If it's not painful and looks are not important there is no rush.
 
Why have they said she’d need to stay in? She wouldn’t after a spay, which is surely a bigger op? Even after having that huge area of necrotic flesh removed, my big lad didn’t stay in.
 
The vet said he keeps them in as they leave an opening to allow it to drain and as it can weep a lot they like to keep an eye on it.

It doesn't seem to be hurting her in the slightest. However, it is quite big. It takes up most of her ear and is about the size of a flattened apple. It doesn't look very nice for her!

I'm really not bothered about looks I just want to do what is best for her!
 
Wen my bitch was done it was sewn up with buttons, that was many years ago now. :-)
Can't they just leave a stent in?
 
Keeping them in overnight really not needed for such a minor surgery, unless their anaesthetic was done later in the day and they need more recovery time before going home. They will weep for days, thats the point of it. I would get a second opinion and get it treated regardless if you go for draining/stent/surgery :)
 
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