Expert: Charlotte Sherrell, DVM - 4/6/2009

Question
My 10 year old Golden Retriever has an aural hematoma.  Our vet has recommended surgery, which is scheduled for tomorrow morning.  He recommended surgery because he said that draining the hematoma is successful less than 50% of the time.  
I'm very hesitant about the surgery, given the age of my dog, Max.  The vet will do an EKG and bloodwork to make sure that his levels are ok, so that is good, but I am still nervous.
Do you think that we could try draining the hematoma, or you you think that surgery is our best option?

Answer
Sandy -

Surgical repair of an aural hematoma is absolutely the best way to correct a hematoma.  Draining only prolongs the inevitable and stresses the dog.

You should also think about the reasons why your dog developed the aural hematoma - was he shaking his head due to allergies? Did he have an ear infection?  These contributing factors should be corrected if at all possible because if not the dog will continue to shake its head and he will end up with a hematoma in the other ear.

Surgeries performed on a geriatric patient should be approached with extra care and it seems as though your veterinarian is taking the necessary steps to assure that your dog does well under anesthesia.  Remember that there is always a risk that something could go wrong with any surgery and that is why one should do all the necessary pre-surgical testing and provide necessary equipment to monitor heart rhythm and oxygenation and your vet is doing just that.

Best Regards,

Charlotte Sherrell, DVM