No matter which route you go, your cat will likely need to wear an Elizabethan collar, one of those lampshade-looking devices that keeps him from scratching at his ear while it heals. Most important is treating the underlying condition so the hematoma doesn’t return. An incision is made that remains open so any remaining fluid can drain. While the cat is anesthetized, the surgeon removes the fluid and blood clots and sutures the inner part of the ear to the outer part so it lies smooth and prevents lumpy scar tissue from forming. Hematomas can be treated several ways, but surgery is typically the most effective solution. It’s a painful condition and can cause lasting damage to ear tissues. Depending on the size and where in the ear the hematoma is located, it might feel firm or soft.ĭon’t assume that a hematoma will resolve on its own. The result is a swollen, fluid-filled area that can be inside the ear canal or on the ear tip. The trauma causes blood to seep out of the blood vessels and pool between the skin and the cartilage of the earflap. Hematomas are seen more often in dogs, but cats may get them from shaking their head forcefully or scratching aggressively at the ear in response to itching caused by an ear mite infection, allergic skin disease or a foreign body lodged in the ear. What is that, and how did my cat get one?Ī: The word hematoma is basically a fancy Greek name for a bruise. Q: My cat has been scratching at his ear and the vet says he has a hematoma. What does it mean when your cat has a painful, fluid-filled lump on his ear? Here’s what I told a reader who asked that question.
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