Signs of Dog Ear Hematomas & Surgery Costs

It’s normal for dogs to shake their heads and scratch themselves when they itch. But excessive head shaking and ear scratching could result in a dog ear hematoma. These blisters can also be caused by a few different underlying conditions, and your vet may recommend surgical removal for treatment.¹

Dog ear hematoma surgery could cost up to $2,000 or more, so it’s important to be financially prepared.² Keep reading to learn more about hematomas and how pet insurance may be able to help you pay for treatment. 

Dog Ear Hematoma Surgery Costs

For dog ear hematomas, the cost of surgery could be around $300 – $2,000, but the exact price depends on factors like where you live, the vet you see, and your dog’s condition.²

When treating aural hematomas with surgery, make sure you account for other expenses — such as the vet visit and diagnostics for the initial diagnosis, the anesthesia and hospital stay, as well as any medications and post-op checkups required by your vet — to come up with the total cost.²

You can typically ask your vet for a quote on all costs before you schedule the surgery.

What Is a Dog Ear Hematoma?

A hematoma in a dog’s ear — also known as an aural or auricular hematoma — is a swollen blister on the inside of the ear flap. When the blood vessels between the inside layer of skin and the outer cartilage layer burst, the bleeding that occurs results in the formation of a hematoma.¹

Causes of hematomas on the ear

Dog ear hematomas can be caused by trauma to the ear, a foreign object in the ear, or excessive head shaking and scratching due to an infection, inflammation, allergies, itchiness, or ear mites. Dogs with blood clotting disorders may be more prone to hematomas, even without any of the previously mentioned causes.^1,2,3

Signs of a Dog Ear Hematoma

If your dog has an aural hematoma, you’ll likely see some swelling in their ear and potentially spot the part of the ear that’s filled with fluid. Some of the other signs of hematomas can include:^1,2

• Discoloration in the ear
• Head shaking or ear scratching
• Thicker ear flap skin that’s spongy to the touch
• Avoidance to being touched near their ear

If your dog’s displaying any of these signs, it’s a good idea to schedule a vet exam, as more scratching could cause additional ear damage or more blisters to form.

Your vet may also run blood work and other diagnostic tests to determine the root cause of the hematoma — like an infection or allergies — if it’s not immediately identifiable.^1,2

Dog Ear Hematoma Treatment

Aural hematomas may go away on their own if you decide not to treat them. However, due to the inflammation that occurs, this could cause more problems, such as permanently distorting the shape of the ear — sometimes called cauliflower ear in dogs — and obstructing the ear canal. Because they’re also painful for your pup, it’s recommended you treat aural hematomas.^1,2

Here are two methods for treating dog ear hematomas.

Surgery

For most hematomas, vets may recommend surgical removal — it’s typically the quickest and most effective treatment method. While the exact surgical process can vary, the following are general dog ear hematoma surgery steps:¹

1. The blood in the hematoma is drained, either by making an incision and inserting a draining tube or by opening the skin over the entire hematoma.
2. Using sutures that go all the way through the ear flap, the open space between the skin and cartilage of your dog’s ear (where the blood was) is closed.
3. To prevent scratching and shaking that could cause more damage, your dog’s ear flap is stabilized by applying bandages that hold the ear to the head. It could also be supported on its own with bandages and other materials.

If an underlying condition caused the hematoma, your vet will likely treat it after the hematoma is removed.¹

Draining and steroids

Instead of surgery, vets may drain the hematoma and administer steroids into the open pocket. This method typically involves repeated draining and steroid injections, so it’s usually a longer treatment process than surgery.^1,3

Your vet may also prescribe oral steroids with this treatment method. While draining can work, it’s not always as effective as surgery.^1,3

Recovery and Prevention

Whether your pup’s hematoma was treated with a drainage tube or surgery, they’ll likely need a couple of weeks to recover. Administer any medication, and follow your vet’s post-op instructions. Bandages and drainage tubes might be removed by your vet after 3 – 14 days, and stitches are usually removed after 2 – 4 weeks. It all depends on how your dog’s ear is healing.¹

Watch out for any abnormal discharge around the hematoma site. This could indicate an infection and will need to be treated by your vet.¹

It’s not always possible to prevent dog ear hematomas, but keeping their ears clean and in good health, and managing any underlying conditions can help. This is especially important if your dog is recovering from a hematoma, since it can help prevent another one from forming.^1,2,3

MetLife Pet Could Help You Cover Dog Ear Hematoma Surgery Costs

MetLife Pet offers customizable dog insurance policies that could help you cover the cost of exams, diagnostics, surgery, and medications related to dog ear hematomas. Let’s take a look at Gail’s story to see how pet insurance helped her owners save money.

Gail is a senior dog from Texas. Her owners saw a bump on the inside of her ear, which they’d noticed she’d been scratching for a few days. They took her to the vet, where she was diagnosed with an aural hematoma and had it surgically treated. Between the exam, surgery, and medication, the vet bill came to about $1,000. With their MetLife Pet policy, Gail’s owners were reimbursed nearly $900.⁴

Imagine having coverage that allows you to get the care your pet needs without having to worry about the cost. Start by getting a free quote today to see your personalized rates for a dog insurance policy.