Blood in the ear, which primarily occurs in dogs with drooping ears, refers to a specific type of hematoma in the outer ear. Affected dogs display a sudden swelling and warmth in the ear. In most cases, an underlying disease is the cause of a bloody ear. It is therefore extremely important to have your dog examined by a veterinarian in order to successfully treat the underlying disease and the hematoma itself.
The ear of a dog consists of the ear cartilage and the overlying perichondrium. The skin stretches tightly over this perichondrium and is thinner and almost hairless on the inside of the ear. On the outside of the auricle, the skin is thicker and clearly hairy. Blood is supplied via a branched network of small blood vessels on the inside of the ear.
Scratching, rubbing, shaking your head vigorously, or even blunt injuries can damage the blood vessels in the area and cause bleeding between the cartilage and the skin above it. The ear swells partially or completely, which can further intensify the triggering symptoms such as shaking your head or scratching. The causes of pain and itching in the ear or head area are varied and can range from ear infections to allergic skin conditions and hormonal disorders.
The assumption that the othematoma is caused by an autoimmune disease has not yet been scientifically proven.
An othematoma manifests itself as a sudden, warm, and sometimes reddened or painful swelling on the dog's ear, which usually occurs on one side, but occasionally on both sides. The swelling starts on the inside of the ear and, depending on its extent and the amount of hair on the ear, can be seen or felt by the owner. Affected dogs often hold their head at an angle or scratch the affected ear more frequently.
In most cases, the veterinarian can recognize an othematoma during a general examination based on the usually very clear symptoms. By puncturing the swelling and examining the tissue fluid removed, the veterinarian can further confirm the diagnosis. Further blood tests may be necessary to determine the cause.
If diagnosed, treatment of the underlying condition should be the first priority. However, the blood ear itself is also treated in most cases due to possible pain and tension.
If the dog shows no signs of pain or discomfort from the blood ear, the bruise can be absorbed by the body on its own within three to four weeks. However, the skin and cartilage will not grow back together smoothly, as the altered blood supply causes connective tissue remodeling in the ear. As a dog owner, it is important to know that the resulting scarring and deformities can lead to a so-called "cauliflower ear," which is not always just a cosmetic issue. The scarring can also cause narrowing of the ear canal and subsequent impairments.
One possible treatment is to drain the hematoma via a puncture (removal of fluid or tissue from a body cavity by inserting a hollow needle). However, as the cavity between the cartilage and the skin does not close immediately, the ear usually fills up again quickly and the procedure must be repeated several times.
If self-healing is not expected or recommended, the ear can also be treated surgically. Under general anesthesia, the ear is opened, the blood is drained, and the wound is sutured. A firm head bandage or compression sewn to the ear ensures that the skin grows back together completely with the cartilage.
Bruising in the ear can resolve on its own within three to four weeks. However, othematomas that are not treated surgically often lead to severe scarring and deformation of the ear, which can partially block the ear canal and promote recurrent ear infections.
Surgery can help reduce scarring and promote successful healing. It is particularly important that the dog is prevented from scratching its ear or shaking its head for a certain period of time after the stitches or compresses have been removed, as this can cause bleeding to recur.
Regularly checking your dog's ears is one of the most important measures you can take to prevent ear diseases. As the owner, you will be able to notice changes such as swelling, redness, or a strong odor at an early stage and take your pet to the vet in good time.
During regular check-ups or vaccination appointments, your veterinarian will use special equipment to take a closer look at your pet's ears and check the ear canal. Although these measures cannot completely rule out the risk of an atheromatous lesion, they can significantly reduce the likelihood of one developing.
Pigs are sociable animals that can become very attached to humans. With sufficient space and a love for these intelligent creatures, living together can be a great joy. However, anyone considering keeping a mini pig like a cat or dog, i.e. in their home, should first read up extensively on the subject and study the needs of a small pig. These are no different from those of large pigs. Mini pigs are sometimes called "teacup pigs" because a piglet is so small right after birth that it fits in a teacup. But mini pigs grow naturally and quickly gain weight. To keep them happy, a mini pig needs enough space and an outdoor enclosure.
Also known as wet tail disease, this infectious diarrhea mainly affects very young hamsters between three and eight weeks old. It can lead to death within 48 hours and must therefore be taken very seriously.
This chronic inflammatory bowel disease occurs in dogs and cats, with a genetic predisposition suspected in certain dog breeds (boxers, German shepherds). IBD is triggered by an excessive reaction of the immune system, can affect both the small and large intestines, and is incurable.
A balanced and species-appropriate diet is an important part of animal health. There are veterinary practices specializing in animal nutrition and dietetics that can advise on feed selection and composition.
A horse is quite large, and the damage it can cause is considerable. In the event of an accident, the costs can easily run into several thousand dollars. A substantial sum may also be required if our horse falls ill or even needs surgery. Not to mention the financial worries if we lend our horse and it has an accident while being ridden. It is therefore very sensible and important to think about what would happen in the worst-case scenario. There are plenty of insurance policies available. Every horse owner and rider should find out exactly what is available and choose the right policy for their needs. Below is a list of some insurance policies and situations where they might be needed.
Before acquiring a dog, it is important to consider not only the important questions regarding a suitable living environment, daily routine and care options. You should also address safety issues, which often begin with "What if...?" Yes, you guessed correctly: we are referring to insurance.
Dogs are pack animals. They need clear structures and consistent rules to feel comfortable. Your dog should know its place in your family from the very beginning. A dog that obeys well is socially acceptable. Your fellow human beings will appreciate this. And you will enjoy being out in public with your dog more. Loving but consistent training is the basis for peaceful and stress-free coexistence between dogs and humans.
As the name suggests, this is not a separate disease, but rather a complex of various manifestations of inflammatory changes in the mouth and skin of cats.
They're back again in late summer and fall – fall mites. They cause allergic reactions in animals and humans, with severe itching and skin inflammation. Find out how to recognize them, treat them, and, ideally, prevent an infestation here.
Tympany refers to the accumulation of gas in internal organs; accumulations of gas in the intestines are colloquially referred to as flatulence. Due to their special digestive system, guinea pigs are relatively prone to tympany, which can sometimes be life-threatening.
Your cat will undoubtedly come home with minor injuries from time to time – or show signs that it is not feeling entirely well. In such cases, it is good to have a suitable first aid kit at home.
Computed tomography is an imaging technique that is an important diagnostic tool in many modern veterinary practices due to its speed and simplicity, as well as the high diagnostic value of the images it produces.
