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

[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.