Surgical Management of Aural Hematoma in a Dog

Abstract

Aural hematoma, a common condition in dogs, results from the rupture of blood vessels between the skin and cartilage of the ear, leading to swelling of the ear flap. This report presents a case of an eight-year-old male dog with a swollen left ear, diagnosed as an aural hematoma. The surgical management technique employed combined the auricular pillow method with a modified button compression technique. The dog underwent anaesthesia and surgery involving the drainage of the hematoma, cleaning of the affected area, and the placement of multiple modified plastic coat pins to prevent re-accumulation of blood. Postoperative care included antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antihistamines, and wound site ointment. The pinna was healed within two weeks without further complications and with an appreciable cosmetic outcome. This surgical approach resulted in a satisfactory cosmetic outcome, demonstrating an effective method for aural hematoma management.