Causes, Symptoms and Treatment of Ear Hematoma (Swelling Behind the Ear) in Cats

Ear hematoma in cats is a health problem affecting the earlobe. Bleeding resulting from the rupture of a blood vessel leads to a different appearance in the cartilage of the earlobe. The primary cause of ear hematoma is ear infection. Street cats or domestic cats with access to the street have a higher risk of developing ear hematoma and related structural abnormalities. In this article, you can find important information about ear hematomas in cats. Symptoms of Ear Hematoma in Cats If you suspect your cat has an ear hematoma or a change in the shape of its ear due to this type of bleeding, there are some symptoms you should check for. These symptoms also make diagnosis easier. It's quite simple to notice the symptoms. Symptoms of ear hematoma include:

Symptoms of Ear Hematoma in Cats

If you suspect your cat has an ear hematoma or a change in shape due to this type of bleeding in the ear, there are some symptoms you should check for. These symptoms also make diagnosis easier. Noticing the symptoms is quite simple. Symptoms of ear hematoma include;

• A soft swelling resembling a water-filled balloon in the earlobe,
• Narrowing of the ear canal due to the swelling in the earlobe,
• A shrinkage-like change in the shape of the earlobe,
• A strong odor coming from the ear,
• A strong-smelling or odorless discharge from the affected ear,
• The cat constantly tries to scratch its ear.

The change in shape of the ear is quite obvious. Cats showing these symptoms have a very high probability of having an ear infection. In hematomas that develop due to an ear infection, in addition to the symptoms of the hematoma;

• Drooping,
• Loss of appetite,
• Spitting food out,
• Difficulty closing the eyes,
• Vomiting,
• Eye discharge,
• Nausea,
• Symptoms of ear infection such as sunken lip, nostril and eyelid on the side of the inflamed ear are also seen.

What are the Causes of Hematoma?

Although the primary cause of ear hematoma in cats is an ear infection, it is not the only cause. Ear hematoma can develop due to many different factors. Other causes of ear hematoma include:

• Development of an infection due to ear mites,
• Injuries to the ear as a result of physical trauma or fighting with another cat,
• An allergy causing itching in the ears,
• Bleeding or clotting problems,
• Presence of a foreign object in the ear canal.

How is Ear Hematoma Diagnosed in Cats?

Ear hematoma in cats is a fairly noticeable problem and can be easily diagnosed during a physical examination. If there is an infection, a sample of ear discharge is taken to understand the underlying cause of the infection. The sample is also checked for ear mites.

If a bacterial infection is suspected, the ear discharge sample is cultured and checked. This procedure is essential to find the correct medication to treat the infection. If the hematoma is suspected to be related to a bleeding or clotting problem, a blood test may be needed. If a hematoma is found to be due to an allergy, an allergy test is performed, and the cat needs to be fed hypoallergenic food for a while.

Treatment Methods

The treatment method for ear hematoma is to drain the contents of the swelling. For this, a small incision is made at the edge of the swelling, and a thin catheter is inserted for drainage. Another method is to completely open the skin tissue over the hematoma. If the hematoma is very small or if anesthesia is contraindicated for the cat, the contents of the hematoma need to be drained regularly. However, if there is a risk of the ear canal closing due to the swelling in the ear, surgery is unavoidable. If left untreated, the hematoma may resolve spontaneously over time, but this can be a painful process for the cat. If left untreated, there is also a risk of the injured ear flap closing the ear canal. Injuries caused by the hematoma can cause permanent deformity in the cat's ear. In the treatment of hematoma, it is necessary to first treat the problem that caused the hematoma. Otherwise, there is a risk of the hematoma recurring or worsening. To prevent such situations, the underlying cause of the hematoma must be correctly diagnosed.

If the hematoma is very small or if there are contraindications to anesthesia for the cat, the contents of the hematoma need to be drained regularly. However, if there is a risk of the ear canal closing due to swelling in the ear, surgery is unavoidable.

If left untreated, a hematoma may resolve spontaneously over time, but this can be a painful process for the cat. There is also a risk of the injured ear flap closing the ear canal if left untreated. Injuries caused by the hematoma can also lead to permanent ear deformities.

In the treatment of a hematoma, it is necessary to first treat the problem that caused the hematoma. Otherwise, there is a risk of the hematoma recurring or worsening. To prevent such situations, the underlying cause of the hematoma must be correctly diagnosed.