Options? Recovery time?

[Spring Feather]

One of my dogs has had 2 hotspots in the past few weeks. Her chest one cleared up and no sooner had it gone then she got another one on her lower belly and on the inside of her hind legs. Again with treatment it's getting better. It's no longer hot and she's not scratching it so I think that's on the mend. Today however she has developed an aural haematoma. Her ears are clean and there are no signs of infection. It's probably developed as a result of her scratching. She doesn't have ear mites, no parasites of any description. She is always scratting around in the undergrowth but this all started when I had to buy a different make of dog food. I only used that bag and then was able to change back to their regular food so the second hotspot happened while on the regular food. She's 5 years old and always been a very healthy dog, never been sick before. She's a large breed of dog with very thick fluffy fur. All of my other dogs are in great health and have been unaffected by whatever is going on with this dog.

That's the background. The hotspots I'm not worried about as they have been treated as soon as they arrived and haven't persisted for long. The haematoma I an concerned about. I've spoken with a few vets and there are many options on dealing with it. Right now she's on antibiotic ointment for it and I'm reluctant to go with the surgery or draining as she is a farm dog and risk of infection is worrying. Aesthetically any deformation of scar tissue is not high on priorities as it won't ever be seen due to her heavy coat. So my question is, whose dogs have had AHs and what method did you use to treat and what was the success rate and total recovery time?

 

[ChesnutsRoasting]

My understanding of haematomas are, that unless abnormally large, they will dissipate over time and be absorbed. There may be a thickening of the ear tissue as a result, but asthetically no obvious scarring etc. I'm not sure why your dog has been prescribed anti-bs, if there is no infection present?

 

[Spring Feather]

Yes that's been my understanding too, that's why I've elected not to go down the surgical route. Don't quote me but I think the antibiotics in the ointment just happen to be in it to make it more useful for other generic ear conditions. The ointment is primarily supposed to help relieve the swelling and heat

 

[ChesnutsRoasting]

Obviously you must follow your vets instructions and quite right, but I have had dogs with post-operative haematomas and have just allowed time to do its thing. One of my dogs has had recurrent ear problems, due to suffering ear mites as a pup and a subsequent haematoma in her ear, due to excessive scratching, but there was an underlying ear infection which was treated successfully with anti-bs.

 

[Spring Feather]

Thank you for replying again and for giving me more info on your experiences of AHs. I was hoping for a positive response like this so you've set my mind at ease a little now Thanks.

 

[Maesfen]

I'm another that says leave it alone as it will cause more trouble than it's worth if you have it drained. (speaking from experience!) In the end we had to bandage it against her head, it was the only way to give it some protection and it took weeks before the skin had strengthened up to not bleed any time she shook herself.

 

[Spring Feather]

Thanks Maesfen, good to know what others have done and what worked or was a pain in the backside. She doesn't seem to be in any discomfort with it and I'm very gentle about putting the cream on. The temperature of her ear has definitely lowered since I put the ointment on earlier so that makes me happier, and her no doubt. Thanks a bunch you two

 

[Maesfen]

Your welcome if it helped.
Some pics of her looking thoroughly fed up and embarrassed! She kept trying to scratch it off which didn't help.

 

[Spring Feather]

Yes very helpful as I've never had a dog get an ear haematoma before. Your poor girl. She does look rather fed up. My dog does seem much more content tonight. She's not been scratching or nibbling her tummy at all and the skin there is very cool now so hopefully no more hotspots. Her ear is also much cooler than earlier. It hasn't gone down any but she hasn't been shaking her head or scratching her ear for hours now so here's to healthy healing although I gather it can take a month for the haematoma to be reabsorbed.