Ear Haematomas in Dogs: What They Are and Why They Can Happen After Gr – Uncanny Animals

What is a haematoma?

A haematoma is a localised accumulation of blood within an organ or tissue, often described as a blood blister. In dogs, the most common type of haematoma occurs in the ear flap, or pinna, and is known as an aural or ear haematoma. Aural Haematomas in Dogs post-grooming often appear as blood around the rim of the ear or pooling of blood in the ear leather.

Why do aural haematomas occur?

Aural haematomas develop when a blood vessel in the ear ruptures, causing blood to collect between the ear cartilage and skin.

Several things can increase the risk of this happening, particularly around the time of grooming:

Scratching – This can occur when the ears or surrounding skin become itchy or irritated, including from an unexpected sensitivity to a product.

Ear shaking – This can happen when a significant amount of hair is removed from around the ears, creating increased airflow and a different sensation. Some dogs respond by repeatedly shaking or flapping their ears.

Removal of tight matting – Tight matting can restrict the ear and affect circulation. Once removed, the blood can rush back into the ear and the sudden change in sensation and movement can cause a dog to shake its ears, potentially resulting in a haematoma. Read more about matting here.

Ear infections – While water is never applied into a dog's ear canal during grooming, the warmth and humidity associated with bathing may sometimes aggravate an underlying ear issue. This can lead to ear flapping and, subsequently, a haematoma.

How can haematomas be prevented when a dog is flapping its ears?

If you notice your dog persistently flapping its ears, it's important to try to minimise further trauma to the ear. Keeping the ears gently secured against the head using an appropriate headband, Happy Hoodie or snood can help reduce the force of the ear flapping. If the flapping is simply due to hair removal or sensitivity to increased airflow, your dog will usually adjust to the new sensation. However, if the flapping continues, your dog appears uncomfortable, or you notice swelling, bleeding or anything unusual with the ear, we recommend contacting your veterinarian promptly.

How is a haematoma treated?

In most cases post-grooming, dogs will leave with a bandage holding their ears gently against their head to prevent continued flapping and reduce the risk of a haematoma developing. Usually, this bandage can come off after a day or so, once the dog has become accustomed to the new feeling, with no further intervention needed.

However, sometimes a haematoma can develop or worsen despite these precautions. Treatment will depend on the severity of the haematoma and should be discussed with your veterinarian. More significant haematomas may require veterinary treatment to drain the accumulated blood and remove blood clots. In some cases, surgical correction and suturing of the ear may be required to help prevent the haematoma from recurring.

It is also important to address the underlying cause, such as an ear infection, allergies, irritation or matting, to reduce the likelihood of it happening again.

Can a haematoma heal on its own, like a bruise?

Some haematomas may eventually be reabsorbed by the body, but leaving an aural haematoma untreated can lead to significant inflammation and damage to the ear tissue. This can result in permanent thickening and distortion of the ear, sometimes creating a cauliflower-like appearance. Aural haematomas can also be painful and uncomfortable for dogs, so if you suspect your dog has developed one, we recommend contacting your veterinarian for advice.