Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 11/1/2009

Question
we have a beagle that his one ear flap fills with fluid we drained it once and it was just bright red blood the fluid collection came back with in a day and half we drained it again and we did get out some clusters of what appear to a cyst-- pieces of cauliflower-- it continues to refill with fluid--one part of ear feels hard how long should we continue this? what is the next step -- we also have him on an abx


Answer
This is an aural hematoma and it requires surgery to fix it properly.  The blood and clots are removed, then the ear is sutured all the way across the skin, cartilage and skin to close the space so no blood will fill it up.  There is also probably an ear infection causing the dog to shake the head.