Aural Hematomas

There are always risks associated with grooming matted dogs given the unknown nature of what might be waiting underneath the coat. Skin infections, bruising, scabs, bites, you name it, we’ve seen it! But unfortunately, not all risks are decimated the moment the grooming is over, matting can be the relentless gift that keeps on giving!

So, let’s take a look at the basics:

Matting is caused by the by hair rubbing together which is why we frequently find matting in high friction areas such as armpits, tails and ears. Whilst all matting can come with its own set of risks and complications, severe matting on the ears can be particularly dangerous, due to the possibility of the dog developing a hematoma.

What is a hematoma, why do they occur, and how do we prevent them?

A hematoma is a collection of blood, either fresh or clotted, and when this occur in the ear flap (the pinna), we refer to it as an aural hematoma. If we look at the anatomy of the dog's external ear, there is a layer of cartilage sandwiched between two layers of skin on each side. Just beneath the skin layer there are tiny blood vessels. When something irritates the ear or the ear canal, dogs will often respond by scratching or shaking their head. Excessive shaking can cause one or more of these blood vessels to rupture, resulting in bleeding. We’ll either see an aural hematoma present itself as bleeding, or as a swelling within the pinna.

But what does this have to do with grooming?

When a dog has matting on their ears, understandably it can be quite uncomfortable for them when we remove it. Not only the process of removal, but in cases of severe matting, losing the weight of the hair and receiving air flow back to the skin can feel unfamiliar and cause the dog to shake and scratch.

So, what is the responsibility of the groomer?

Whilst they didn’t put the mats there, groomers have a duty of care to all dogs they’re working on. Grooming with any matting requires extra care and it’s important to communicate this with the client prior to the groom. Having policies in place such as matting forms that explain the added difficulty and potential hazards associated in grooming matted dogs can aid in your communication. When a dog presents with severe matting on the ears, explaining the risk of the dog developing an aural hematoma post-groom can help prepare the client for the appropriate after care and close monitoring of any shaking and scratching. Educating clients is an essential part of a dog groomer’s job.

The hours immediately after the groom are the most important. Putting a happy hoody or a vet wrap around the dog’s head can stop the dog from shaking and prevent a burst vessel, as any irritation will subside over time and the risks quickly decrease. For owners who may not have a happy hoody or vet wrap at their disposal, cutting the end off a sock may be an easy and accessible alternative, especially for smaller dogs.

Whilst minor hematomas can drain on their own, all hematomas should be assessed by a vet, as when left untreated, they can cause long term damage to the surrounding ear tissue and the ear canal.

---

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE