Crazy Daisy Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 (edited) I'm pretty sure Daisy (Shih Tzu) has an aural hematoma. I was grooming her today and there is a large fluid lump on the inside of her ear. She doesn't have an ear infection and I couldn't see any insect bite mark so I think it was probably caused by one of the Golden's being a bit rough when they play. From what I have read the best option is surgery. My concern is the last time Daisy was under aesthetic was when she was desexed and she took a very long time to come around and I was very concerned. We'll be going to the vet tomorrow but I was wondering if anyone has had success treating this condition without surgery. I would like to know a few options before the vet tomorrow. Thanks Edited August 14, 2012 by Crazy Daisy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inevitablue Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 My last girl had one,and the only real way to repair it seems to be having the stitches put in. The thought of cauliflower ear....... There are many different combinations of anesthesia drugs, so make sure they are using the quickest metabolised, safest ones available. The wake up time varies between different drugs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Daisy Posted August 12, 2012 Author Share Posted August 12, 2012 I didn't know that about the anaesthesia, thanks for that. I have changed vets so I will definitely be telling the new vet about her previous issue if Daisy has to have surgery. I don't like the cauliflower ear idea either Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alibi Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 They can drain it then do a dexadreson injection into it. But if it doesnt resolve surgery is the only option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancinbcs Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 I have a had a few surgically repaired but the last couple were done by putting in a small drain with a local anaesthetic and rolling and taping the ear around the inner core of a roll of bandage. This method worked far better. Not sure how it would go with floppy ears but it worked a charm with my Border Collies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Daisy Posted August 12, 2012 Author Share Posted August 12, 2012 I have a had a few surgically repaired but the last couple were done by putting in a small drain with a local anaesthetic and rolling and taping the ear around the inner core of a roll of bandage. This method worked far better. Not sure how it would go with floppy ears but it worked a charm with my Border Collies. This sounds promising! Although I wonder if wrapping the ear around something a bit heavy with floppy ears may be upsetting for her and uncomfortable. Roughly how long did the ear need to be taped up for dancinbcs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancinbcs Posted August 13, 2012 Share Posted August 13, 2012 I have a had a few surgically repaired but the last couple were done by putting in a small drain with a local anaesthetic and rolling and taping the ear around the inner core of a roll of bandage. This method worked far better. Not sure how it would go with floppy ears but it worked a charm with my Border Collies. This sounds promising! Although I wonder if wrapping the ear around something a bit heavy with floppy ears may be upsetting for her and uncomfortable. Roughly how long did the ear need to be taped up for dancinbcs? I honestly can't remember but think it might have been a about a week with the drain in and another week without it. The ear is rolled around to allow the air to still get into the ear so you have a cylinder sticking out from the dog's head. The wider the ear, the bigger diameter cylinder it would need. With floppy ears they may need to tape the ears together as well over the top of the head. With surgery the ear still has to be taped over the head and my ones that had surgery ended up with more mangled ears than those done with the cylinder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted August 13, 2012 Share Posted August 13, 2012 (edited) I'm afraid here ..they just end up with a very cute crumpled ear as no one really worries about appearances here. :) What I DO use to help keep swelling down/reduce discomfort , is ARNICA - the cream, and also tablets. Luckily we have only ever had about 3 dogs affected . I hope your girl can get help without the anaesthetic problems :) I will use the cylinder method next time, I think..along with plenty of arnica ! Edited August 13, 2012 by persephone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancinbcs Posted August 13, 2012 Share Posted August 13, 2012 I'm afraid here ..they just end up with a very cute crumpled ear as no one really worries about appearances here. :) What I DO use to help keep swelling down/reduce discomfort , is ARNICA - the cream, and also tablets. Luckily we have only ever had about 3 dogs affected . I hope your girl can get help without the anaesthetic problems :) I will use the cylinder method next time, I think..along with plenty of arnica ! The cylinder method is the same as you would use to tape up a pricked ear that has dropped but it is taped quite firmly to keep it elevated and stop the ear filling. My vet worked out if she did that and put in a small drain where the ear was filling, with a local, and anchored it with just one stitch that she could avoid having to put a lot of dogs under general anaesthetic to fix an ear. Aural haematomas are most common in old dogs and they are the ones that most need to avoid surgery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted August 13, 2012 Share Posted August 13, 2012 Thanks, dancinbc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Daisy Posted August 13, 2012 Author Share Posted August 13, 2012 Of course it was a public holiday in the part of Brissie my vet is in today so will have to wait till tomorrow. I have bought some Arnica (thanks for the tip pers) and I did try to strap it but she just shook it off. I think I will have to try and strap it around the ear and her head to keep it in place. Hopefully the vet can at least release a bit of the pressure tomorrow as it's sure to be uncomfortable for her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Daisy Posted August 14, 2012 Author Share Posted August 14, 2012 I thought I would post an update on Daisy. We went to the vet and she drained the hematoma and gave her an injection to hopefully stop it refilling. The ear was then wrapped around a tube from a bandage and then the whole ear bandaged and then wrapped around her head so it doesn't flop around too much. We have to leave it like this for 4-5 days so we'll see how she goes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted August 14, 2012 Share Posted August 14, 2012 How cute is that!! :D hope it heals nicely now :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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