Why Are My Dogs Ears Hot And Swollen?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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An aural haematoma

is a blood filled swelling inside the ear flap. The swelling is usually soft, hot to touch, and causes the ear to droop. Most aural haematomas develop because of an underlying problem such as an ear infection, skin problem or ear mites.

How can I treat my dogs swollen ear at home?

  1. Try to gently clean the area with warm water and a mild, non-stinging cleaning solution (like dilute chlorhexidine or povidone-iodine). …
  2. If your dog allows, place gentle pressure on the area to help it fully drain.

How can I soothe my dogs inflamed ear?


Apple cider vinegar

can help reduce the itch and discomfort of an ear infection. Mix 1 part vinegar and 1 part filtered or spring water. Clean the visible parts of the ear with a cotton ball soaked in the mixture. Make sure you get the liquid into the ear canal by holding your dog’s ear still.

Why does my dogs ears feel hot?

A dog’s ears can feel hot from several reasons. First of all, our pets’ ears can feel hot

due to running a fever, such as from a systemic infection

. Secondly, a dog’s ears can feel hot due to infection of the ear canal itself, from bacteria, yeast, or ear mites.

Why is my dog’s ear blown up like a balloon?


Aural Hematoma

in part of the pinna (ear flap)

Head shaking is usually involved in creating an aural hematoma. A large accumulation of blood under the skin makes the ear flap blow up like a pillow creating a thick, soft, heavy ear flap.

Is dog ear hematoma an emergency?

‍ While finding a hematoma in your dog’s ear

isn’t necessarily an emergency

, you should seek treatment as soon as possible. Untreated hematomas in dogs’ ears can cause damage to the blood vessels in the ear flap and lead to dead tissue.

How can I treat my dogs ear infection without going to the vet?


Apple cider vinegar works by killing both yeast and bacteria

. Use a mixture of 50% organic apple cider vinegar and 50% water, soak a cotton ball and clean your dog’s ears. If you notice your dog in pain or her ears drying out too much, discontinue use and see your vet.

Are ear hematomas painful in dogs?

Commonly found in dogs, an ear hematoma, also referred to as an aural hematoma, is a blood-filled pocket on the inside of the ear flap.

An ear hematoma is extremely painful for a dog

, and the intense swelling can be alarming. If left untreated, a hematoma will heal on its own, but that can mean weeks of discomfort.

What does an infected dog ear look like?

The ears often become red and inflamed and develop an offensive odor. A black or yellowish discharge commonly occurs. In chronic cases the ears may appear crusty or thickened and the ear canals often become narrowed (stenotic) due to the chronic inflammation.

Why are my dogs ears hot and red?

Both

bacterial and yeast ear infections

could cause a dog’s ears to be hot. You might notice your pet shaking their head or scratching at their ears more than normal. If there’s redness, inflammation, or an odor coming from their ear canal, you’ll want to contact your veterinarian to check for an ear infection.

Can I give my dog Benadryl for ear infection?

Unfortunately the only thing Benadryl is good for is allergic reactions and to cause drowsiness,

it has no action that will help an infection

. For ear infections your pet will require a topical pet formulated ear antibiotic that can only be purchased from your veterinarian.

Can I treat my dog’s ear infection myself?

How to Treat a Dog Ear Infection. “

Typically, when it gets to the point of infection, you need prescription medication

,” Grant says. It’s best to see your veterinarian as soon as you notice symptoms because ear infections won’t go away on their own.

How do you know a dog has a fever?

  1. Loss of appetite.
  2. Shivering.
  3. Panting.
  4. Red or glassy-looking eyes.
  5. Warm ears and/or nose.
  6. Runny nose.
  7. Decreased energy.
  8. Coughing.

Why is my dogs ear swelled up like a pillow?

If your dog has a large puffy swelling on the ear,

it is likely an ear hematoma

. It is most likely that you will have noticed excessive shaking of the head. Ear hematomas require treatment or the ear will become severely scarred and deformed.

What happens if you leave a dog ear hematoma untreated?

If left untreated,

the hematoma may be slowly reabsorbed, but the associated inflammation will have caused damage to the surrounding ear tissues resulting in a distorted, cauliflower-shaped ear

. Aural hematomas are very painful, and for humane reasons they should be treated.

Can I pop my dogs ear hematoma?


No, dog ear hematomas will not burst of their own accord

. If untreated they can scar, but smaller ones may disappear as the body reabsorbs the blood, leaving the ear as it was before. The only way for it to ”burst” is if your dog pierces it by scratching it.

Does ice help dog ear hematoma?

The only thing that you can attempt at home, that won’t do much to be honest, is to

apply a cold compress onto the ear

. See the issues is that the blood vessel in the ear has ruptured and is leaking into the ear flap.

Can you put peroxide in a dogs ear?


We do not recommend the use of cotton swabs, alcohol or hydrogen peroxide to clean your dog’s ears

. These products can cause inflammation to the ear canal and may worsen an ear infection.

How much does it cost to fix a dog’s ear hematoma?

Surgery Cost

The cost can run anywhere from

$250-$500 or more

depending on the size of the hematoma and the extent of follow-up care by your vet.

How long does a hematoma last in a dog’s ear?

If a haematoma is left untreated the blood in the ear flap will separate into serum and a clot and will gradually be absorbed over a period of

10 days to 6 weeks

. This is an uncomfortable time for your dog and unfortunately some scarring will take place during this process.

Should I wrap my dogs ear hematoma?

The ear should stay clean and dry. Bandage:

If possible, please keep the bandage on for another 3 days

. The bandage helps apply pressure to the repaired hematoma and also prevents your pet from causing further injury by shaking the ear.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.