Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 12/24/2005

Question
Hello,
My 11 and a half year old Golden Retriever has an ear hematoma that is alsmost half of her ear.  She had one two years ago and I had it surgically corrected.  The problem is she has nasal cancer and has severe nosebleeds.  I am afraid the anesthetic and breathing tube might be too much for her.  Is it safe to leave this hematoma to resolve or should I risk the surgery?  I've had one vet tell me it is rare for them to rupture and one tell me they almost always rupture.  What would you do?
Thank you so much,
Lisa Roach  

Answer
Aural hematomas never rupture.  They organize into blood clots and then scar tissue which deforms the cartilage of the ear.  If the dog has a bleeding or clotting problem, then it may not do well in surgery.  However nasal tumors bleed easily in animals with normal blood clotting.  Your vet will have to test the clotting factors with a blood test (as about a PT and PTT) to be sure.  There is probably an ear infection that is causing the dog to shake the head creating the aural hematoma. The only way to fix a hematoma is surgically.