Soft "liquidy" lump on ear flap

[fixit211]

Hi, I am new here, but I really need help. I am concerned because yesterday I found an area on my labradors left ear flap that is about the size of a quarter and appears to have fluid in it. I applied ice to it for awhile. It does not appear to bother her, unless I am messing with it. Today it is still there. It is New Years Day, and the vet is closed, Does anyone here know what this is on my dogs ear flap? Can anyone here help me? Thank you in advance if you can. Sincerly, fixit211

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

It is probably an aural hematoma.  

If your dog has an ear infection or allergies, she may shake her head and cause the capillaries to break in the pinna (flap) of her ear.  The broken capillaries spill blood into the ear and cause a pooling of blood in the ear flap.  The blood must be drained out at the vet's with a syringe, or if the amount of blood is extensive a drain must be placed temporarily in the ear flap.  Additionally, the head shaking must be stopped to prevent recurrances, usually with the aid of anti-inflammatories and ear medication.  

[azdogman]

dr cheng,
my german shorthair just had aural hematoma surgery last fri and was doing fine. today fri the 11th i noticed the ear flap is filling again and liquid is coming through one of the sutures.(the vet used buttons and suture method)i am calling my vet in the am.my question is if it is filling again just a week after $500.00 surgery should it have to pay to have it rectified?

[fixit211]

We just brought Lucy back from the vet this afternoon. She was there the whole day. He had to put her under, then he drained the "hematoma" and inserted a tube in that area. I now have to keep milking the ear to prevent the fluid from building up and clotting and plugging up the tube. This REALLY sounds totally gross, but isn't nearly as bad as it sounds. I even showed my girlfriend how to do it in case I am not home to take care of it. If the tube gets plugged up and the area fills up again, or after a week to 10 days it's still draining allot, then we will have no choice but to proceed with the surgery. Lucy is feeling great and is happy to be home. She is not allowed to eat nothing until later this evening. This is killing me because she is hungry and I can't feed her yet. (I did her a little piece of pizza crust) I am so happy to have her home now, and to see that bulge in her ear gone. I will keep you all posted about her progress. Thanks for caring.
Dan & Lucy

[suzi-q]

How is Lucy doing?

[fixit211]

Today, I took Lucy to her appointment with the doctor. As you have told me, it is a hematoma. Tomorrow he is going to drain it and put a tube in it. He then told me that every day I would need to gently work the fluid out of the ear through the tube. He said he has had a 75% success rate with this. If it does not work, and the area keeps filling back up, then he will need to operate and put a bunch of stitches in the ear to keep it from expanding so much. I sure hope he knows what he's doing. I am a bit worried that I may be putting to much trust in someone I just met. I can only hope for the best and keep my fingers crossed.

[fixit211]

Thank you for your response, I was directed to this web site, http://www.lbah.com/ear_hematoma.htm by someone in the dog forum. I went there, and saw pictures of what you have just described to me. This is definetly what my Lucy has. She does not shake her head much, but she does sometimes place her head sideways on the carpet and push it around like she has an itch or something. That web site pretty much said the same thing you did, that the "hematoma" needs to be drained with a needle, and maybe cortisone injected into it. (I think thats what it said). It also showed pictures of what will happen if it's left untreated and gets worse. I will definetly be taking her to the vet in the morning. I don't want her ear to rot off. Thank you so much for writing back to me. Sincerly, fixit211