Dogs ear is swollen

fraz_babe

Hi all hoping someone could offer some help etc.

My female dog, holly. Is a staffordshire bull terrier, was 6 in may. Few weeks ago we had another pup (we have a boy staffy too). And i was fussing her tonight and when i rubbed her ear- softly ! She yelped 3 times. So i tried to look what was wrong, and have sinced noticed her ear is swollen and really hard. She seems her normal self etc. But just really worried. Was wondering if its from pup biting her ears? But my dad also thinks she may of been stung. My mum also thinks its fluid .. and from tomorrow we will be baving/bathing her ear 3 days a day. Was wondering if there is anything that it may be without taking her the vets unless it doesnt get better.

Thanks:beer:

lka200

Hi fraz babe
sorry your fur baby has a poorly ear. Does it feel like kind of bubble/sack filled with fluid?
Just a suggestion but my cat had one of these on his ear. Have no idea how it got there but the vet said it starts by a bite or scratch.
It was years ago now and my cat has since died but it was called a heamotoma something or other..sorry cant remember exactly.
Basically it is where a blood vessel bursts and a sack of blood develops...dont panic!
My cat had to go in and have it lanced/drained and stitched and was fine afterwards. His ear never stood up prooperly again it folded forward.
Im not saying your dog has got this but if it gets bigger/doesnt clear up i would take to the vets to be sure.
Alternatively it could be an abcess. You could try wetting a piece of cotton wool with warm water and holding it against the ear. If it is an abcess it could burst but you may need some antibiotics if it is infected.
See how it goes and keep an eye on it. If it gets bigger or your dog is in discomfort i would advise a visit to the vet.
lucy x

candygirl

mine that a kind of haematoma on his ear after shakin it.Get her to the vets asap as it will be painful.I have 2 staffys, arent they ace:D

fraz_babe

Thanks for the quick responses ! As i said, she does seem her normal self, apart from when i was fussing her, she yelped. And i was feeling the area softly, and she yelped twice again. We did not notice until the got on the floor and was walking it was swollen. Im really worried now . Would it be ok to leave her for a few days? We will bath it and if it doesnt get better or gets worse will go the vets would like to leave it a few days as the vets cost a fortune ! But dont want her suffering. Thank you! And yes staffys are the best they are my babies xx

candygirl

No don't leave it longer than tomorrow, it's not fair, and could go a lot worse:cool:

fraz_babe

True ! Will see how she is tomorrow xx thanks

fraz_babe

My mum has been reading on the internet and it is hematoma. I have tried looking to see if it serious but find different answers. Some say they need go the vets asap, some websites say it will go eventually. Could anyone tell me if it is serious? She has already had 2 operations in her life, and i dont want her to have any more . And i dont want to lose her either.

Would anyone be able advice the following please?
a) is it serious?
b) does it cost much to drain or for the operation?
c) will she be in much pain afterwards?

I will continue looking on the net and thank you soo much for the replies so far ! xxx

greenmoneysaver_2

It isn't an "emergency" but if not treated the body's way of healing leaves fibrosis and scar tissue.

The ear will look like a rugby players cauliflower ear and the pain can remain the same as now. the ear may shrivel so much it is of no use protecting the ear.

Stop looking at the net for answers and take the dog to the vets - if your normal vet is emergencies only now as its the weekend then call for their advice, they may be able to give basiv anti-inflammatories over the weekend and then treat fully on Monday.

Leaving these untreated is cruel and leaves a permanent display of not taking basic care of your dog. Also you need to get checked why she got it? It can be related to itchy ear problems.

MrsTinks

It might be a heamatoma, but unless your mum became a vet overnight then you really need to take the dog to a vet. Surely your insurance will cover this?
The problem with anything like a heamatoma or abcess is that it CAN cause the infection to enter her bloodstream and then you're in trouble.

And no she won't show signs - if she gets to the point of showing signs of being ill then it's VERY serious. Dogs/wolves don't show any signs of weakness because if they were in a pack they would be attacked by the others to keep the pack healthy. She's let you know that it's obviously painful by yelping when you examine her ear so now is the time to take her to the vet. With luck she shouldn't need a general anastetic to have it drained but it is a possibility if there is an underlying reason.

Call them NOW to get in today before they close and you'll have an Out Of Hours call out fee to add to the bill.

fraz_babe

We have called the vets but they advised us to take her monday. So she will be there monday morning, thank you for the replies. We dont have pet insurance either so that wont cover the costs. And it only came on last night, we have not noticed it before.

candygirl

Hope she's ok hun.Mine was fine after having it drained and a course of antibiotics, but the vet said if i'd left it longer he could have gone deaf.Let us know how you get on though:D