ear problem

I have a 15 wk old male sharpei/mastiff that has blood pooling in both ear flaps. I'm at the vet's 2 or 3 times a week getting it drained. It started in only his left ear then after a couple of weeks the right ear was also involved.  This has been going on for over 3 weeks now and the vet doesn't want to do anything other than remove the blood by syringe. He feels that the pup is too young to have drains installed or surgery of any kind. He's also been occasionally getting an injection of Depol Medrol or Vetalog. Along w/an occasional laser treatment, none of which is helping at all. I've even begun the puppy on Yunnan Baiyao Capsule (at my vet's suggestion) Do you have any advice on what other treatment would be more effective? This is getting expensive to continue and I'd honestly prefer that he had surgery That would be more expensive initially than the slow drain on my wallet. By the way, he's is perfectly healthy and active. No ear infections and we think that the damage may have occurred while playing so roughly w/ my older and much bigger do. This pup is extremely aggressive and initiates the rough play. He seems to not understand boundries and gets into a lot of fights w/my other dogs. I'm hoping that neutering w/help resolve that issue but the vet also says he's too young for that . My other dogs were fixed at 3 months old w/no problems. Please give me some suggestions , I really am attached to this little monster and don't want to give up on him but I feel like I'm being strung along.  and can the Depo Medrol and Vetalog have an adverse effect on his health?

[Kimberly Coyner, D.V.M., DACVD]

Recurrent ear hematomas can be due to an underlying clotting or blood vessel disorder, and I recommend labwork to screen for underlying diseases (Complete blood count, chemistry profile, clotting panel, tick titers). If all labwork is normal, then there may be a genetic vessel fragility issue, as I have seen several Shar pei and Shar pei mix puppies with similar symptoms. Repeated administration of long-acting steroids to puppies is not recommended; some advocate injecting Vetalog into the pinna to reduce inflammation, but I have never heard of using systemic injections of Vetalog or Depo to treat ear hematomas. I recommend starting with the labwork and if all looks normal, then having him neutered and the hematomas treated surgically at the same time. Although it is usual to neuter at 6 months of age, puppies as young as 8 weeks of age are routinely neutered at shelters. If your veterinarian is unsure how to proceed, then I would recommend a second opinion.
Good luck,
Kimberly Coyner, DVM DACVD

[mbntdnt53]

I will certainly take your advice and get another opinion. I have certainly been concerned about the injections. I was also concerned that no bloodwork was ever done and am happy that you recommended it. Now I feel I have questions that make sense and a plan.  Thank you very much.    M.