Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 11/29/2006

Question
My dog, a 8 year old Border Collie mix, has been shaking her head viciously today. I looked inside her ears but see nothing, the inside looks fine.  Then I felt the ear itself and it is "thick."  As if there is fluid between the layers.  Both ears seem to be about the same fatness.  They are also warm. Any ideas?

Answer
This is probably some type of allergic reaction.  YOu should let the vet look at the dog and look deep in the ears to see if ther eis an infection.  SOmetimes for these ears we use steroids to reduce the swelling.  If there is fluid there, this could be an aural hematoma, which would require surgery.