Aural (ear) hematoma

Root cause is almost always something else

A hematoma is a symptom, not a diagnosis. The underlying trigger is nearly always an ear infection, ear mites, foreign body (a grass seed), or an allergy. Draining the hematoma without treating the cause guarantees it comes back.

Treatment options

• Needle aspiration + steroids — cheapest, highest recurrence rate.
• Indwelling drain (teat cannula or Penrose) left in place 1–3 weeks.
• Surgical incision, drainage, and quilting sutures — highest success rate, most invasive.

All three options need to be paired with treating the underlying ear disease and, often, an e-collar to prevent re-shaking.

Why it matters

Waiting and hoping means a permanently thickened, crumpled 'cauliflower ear' and, more importantly, an untreated ear infection or allergy driving the problem.