Cat Ear Hematoma

[hannelore57]

Hi, Thank you in advance for your answer. I have a kity with a Hematoma in ear. It is full. Been drained 2 times in 2 weeks. I cant afford surgery as it is over $1,ooo. I was wondering if it will heal on its own. He is on Clavamox due to the second draining to prevent infection. Also had one round of prednisone and the vet wants to do a longer Prednisone tx now. My concern is how long before it will start to go down or resolve on its own. Please advise....Lori

[Miaphan]

hi all,
My 10 year old cat is also suffering this. I took him to the vet 9 days ago and they said not to do the surgery for him as he is quite old now. Therefore they keep him on antibiotics for 3 or 4 days until the bubble was soft enough to use a needle for draining all the blood inside.
Two days later the bubble was big again although it's not cover the whole ear. I took him to the vet again and they decide to lance the bubble to let all the blood come out. I also keep him on 3 day antibiotics afterward. However, he still has a yellow - white liquid appear and i have to drain it everday.
My baby is doing quite well now. He eats and plays as normal. Anyone knows how long it would take for this liquid to stop coming back? I put antibiotics powder on his ear to avoid any disease.

[misty4554]

That is what I am doing also. I think the surgery is so traumatic and don't think my kitty would do well. Vet was talking about 50 stitches and that made me cringe.

[Pebbles5]

Hello DollyMae,

Just decided to log in and see it's been a long time.  I hope your kitty healed ok.  Pebbles has had no concerns since her healing.  She got over the fact she looks a little different :)    I was concerned it may come back and so glad it didn't and all is fine.  Also curious if you ever massaged not that we know for sure if it helps or not.  

[DollyMae]

Sorry didn't see that you said around a month. I haven't read anything about massaging the ear before. I'm scared I will hurt her.

[DollyMae]

Hello, just wondering how long it took pebbles ear to heal? Me and my husband decided not to do surgery after doing much research. It's only been a little over a week. It seems to have gotten a tad bigger but not as big as some other cats researched. The vet said she doesn't have an ear infection so that's a bonus. We are just waiting it out and hoping poor Dolly's ear heals up quick.

[Pebbles5]

Franklin, Others:

Pebbles picture with healed hematoma (droopy ear)  can be viewed on my profile page if you click my name.  My pretty girl is ok with her new "look".

[Pebbles5]

sounds like a hematoma!  Pebbles started with a tiny fold on the tip before the bubble.  You could have missed this as I just watched it though I though it odd.  Then the 2nd tiny fold and the larger fold developed and then noted the bubble (as you are now).  Vet drained it while small.  Only my advice,  but I did TONS of internet research (google both surgery / no surgery  to get all views: "hematoma surgery, is it necessary?" so you can get the feedback on NOT having surgery and also plain "hematoma in cats" to hear from those who say surgery is a must.  I got feedback from groups such as this and also vets.  Some vets stopped doing the surgery since result is same without.  In summary: the opinions seem to be that not having surgery or having surgery can cause the same results!  Many had the surgery and the bubble came right back! Then they left it.  Some got the surgery and the ear was fine but still distorted like Pebbles.  Some will say no surgery is cruel and some say that owners get surgery because they freak out and can't handle watching the bubble get larger and then wait for it to disappear.  My thoughts were based on I read the outcome will not cause any hearing loss or unbalance of cat and just cosmetic. I also thought if she is in some pain (which I read is early in the bubble formation) she will also be in pain with surgery.  Then the stitches have to come out again.  (Pebbles bubble didn't get nearly as huge as some photos where it covers entire ear).  I rubbed it as the post from this sight suggests.  I really it think it may have helped but can't be certain.  Hers did heal within  month.  You can also "watch" the surgery if you google it to help you decide!  They tuft the ear close after draining with several quilt like stitches.  I personally suggest leaving it. We drained once and hoped it would go but came right back.  This can cause infection. Many that said they drained a 2nd time wished they did not since complications. It's hard to watch kitty go through it but so will surgery be. the vet visit can assist to determine no mites.  (Pebbles was clean). You have to be strong to NOT have surgery because we feel judged by our vet!  Of course your vet may agree with natural healing... who knows.  I'd love to hear your feedback through this. I feel draining & surgery opens room for infection.  If no infection exists why look for one. We were fortunate.  Before this I never even heard of a hematoma!  I googled "fold in cat ear" LOL!

[FranklinJeff]

Hi Pebbles5. Did your cat's hematoma grow big? I came home today and noticed that my cat's right ear is a bit tilting down. I checked it and found out that there seems a lump inside his ear. And based on my reaearch here, I think it's hematoma. It's still small but I'm so worried right now and can't wait to see the vet tomorrow. :(

[Pebbles5]

Aunlismom (and others),  Pebbles is healed up now.  Her bubble has been gone for a couple weeks.  (she healed in less than a month!).  I rubbed her bubble ear very often as you suggested and think it probably is why it is not crumbled much but "curled" gently over.  Thank you for this idea and I suggest it to others.  I am glad we did not put her through surgery.  She seems just fine.  Pebbles is part Siamese and part Scottish Fold now!  This hematoma thing is ugly and hope others get through it ok.  Pebbles didn't have any mites or anything so not quite sure what caused it  The first sign was a very small fold on the tip of her ear that made me suspicious.  Who'd ever know it would turn in to this ugly hematoma thing. Not sure we could have done anything to prevent it from turning. I am thinking someday vets may find a way to correct the broken vessel before it goes bubble!

[Pebbles5]

I really appreciate the feedback!  thank you!  Pebbles is still with her bubble and I will take your advice and massage her ear. I am patiently waiting for the bubble to start going down, I think it was still working on getting larger, hopefully it will soon.  If you have time to reply as I know it's busy busy..... I'd like your thoughts on massage now while it's a full bubble, or wait until I know it starting to go down for sure?  How long did you see it take for most of them?  I especially appreciate your long term outcome feedback!   It seems draining doesn't really work anyway, since most say it comes back and Pebbles did too.

[aunlismom]

I have 3 cats that have had them, and another that formed one today, (all these cats are from the same litter, I believe my issue is hereditary for my babies) I've let all heal on their own. They are left with "cauliflower ear" where their ear looks crumpled up, but no loss of hearing or any other issues. Its been a many number of years since any of my cats had them, i was considering draining the one that formed today myself (have steril equpitment to do so) and reading up, but deciding on letting it just heal on its own. The worst part of it all is seeing her in pain :(  

The one thing I noticed the last time one of mine had this was that if I massage the ear as its healing & the fluid is being reabsorbed into the body, the "cauliflower ear" didn't seem to be as bad, so at least once a day if not more I massaged the ear to help the fluid go down. I hope Pebbles heals well, regardless of what you choose!  :)

[Pebbles5]

SweetChili (or others please) any updates on how Chili's ear healed on it's own? Pebbles has one and drained once and we want to let it heal on it's own.  I am reading too many have the same outcome whether they have surgery or not.  thank you! Pebbles meowmy.

[CML2014]

Hi Underleaf,

I definitely agree with Opus--Do Not try draining this yourself. It is not something anyone other than a vet should be doing. Infection is a strong possibility when it is done by someone other than a professional.

Perhaps you can just call your vet and ask what they you might be able to do at home to speed the healing process.

Please let us know what the vet says and how the little guy is making out.

......and please do not allow him outside until this heals. Perhaps he should just be an indoor cat if he is at risk of being bitten.

Good luck to you both,
CML

[opus88]

Please do not attempt to drain on yr own NO, aside from being extremely painful it could also cause the condition to become worse, has she been checked for ear mites?

[underleaf]

My cat just had one start about 3 days ago. looked he might have gotten bitten. I try to keep his ears clean. can't afford vet, can I drain it myself? I hope someone can help.

[SweetChili]

My cat Chili had it in one ear about 6 months ago. I opted to have it surgically drained since I was concerned about the cause. The vet ruled out ear mites which was good news. However, after surgery, I had to go back at least twice because the ear keeps filling up. I felt for Chili but I opted to let it heal naturally when it filled up again the 3rd time. it took about a month to heal but I think it was the best decision - the affected ear still had a cauliflower look in spite of the surgery, but I did not want him to be constantly stressed with the going back and firth to the vet. Chili's other ear now has the same condition, I am now opting not to have it surgically drained anymore but will let it heal naturally.

[Lipstknlthr]

Sounds like it was a Hemangioma. Different than a Hematoma.

[Bkitty2]

My cat has a hematoma on his ear. He has had it for a while. It is not going away any time soon. It really doesn't seem to bother him. Because of his age (18) the vet said there isn't anything that can be done. he was treated for ear mites and hasn't had any issues anymore.

[susie300310]

my cat felix has hemoglobin ,been using revolution for a year now had surgury less then year $500 cant afford will it heal by self ,or is there something he can use for home remedy

[opus88]

poor Luke, I myself don't know much abt this, I hope bkitty will tell us how Beeners ear is recently...
you need to find the underlying cause...usually miles, have these been treated? by reading the previous posts it appears it can recur following surgery..here are a couple sites I've found..

http://www.ivis.org/proceedings/wsava/2011/116.pdf

http://www.ivis.org/proceedings/sevc/2008/rosy1.pdf

[luke323]

My 10 yeahingr old cat [Luke] had surgery for a hematoma in his right ear three weeks  ago...  now has another one even larger same ear.has anyone else heard or gone though this....

[hannelore57]

Hi, How is beener's ear coming along.? Been a week since we spoke. Rudy's is still big but the fullness seems to be getting less full looking. The ear edges are curling. Been 30 days now. I was hoping it would all be gone by now.

[hannelore57]

You must be like me. I have researched th DE and used it in the house. Have it around the litter box's,etc. I also thought I had ear mites a yr ago and used the DE on the cats ears,just a very little every day for 30 days and it cleared there ears. My feral's are indoor. I got the semi feral and was able to put revolution on her. I had a vet tech who used to help me, but she just dropped coming and I waited and called her for over a week to come and help me with the Siamese feral, but no show. I will get her with a net.The dogs,I am going to dust there area outside and them with DE.Rudys ear is going down,as soon as I started to use the Chinese herb paste. Its deflating.I see you are Canadian..ME too. Im from Ontario,Oakville.I have been in Tucson 8 yrs and cant wait to move to BC.

[opus88]

flea control can be a huge problem esp when dealing with outdoor pets and ferals....its so important to treat the area as well b/c of the reinfestation when the eggs hatch. I will send you an article that talks abt control and also mentions Food Grade..DIATOMACEOUS EARTH that many treat the house and outdoor areas with....just sprinkle when using a mask(an no pets present) because it can be very harmful if inhaled.....but otherwise safe as long as you buy the FOOD GRADE, as shown here.

http://www.amazon.com/Grade-Diatomaceous-Earth-Natures-Wisdom/dp/B003QJBVH8/ref=pd_sim_bt_2/186-4286552-5962927

http://vetmedicine.about.com/cs/diseasesall/a/befreeoffleas_3.htm