Bleeding in your dog's ears can be a concerning sign for any pet parent whether due to a minor irritation or a more serious issue. In this article, our Plains vets discuss the causes, signs, and treatment if your dog experiences bleeding in their ears.
Ear Bleeding in Dogs
Bleeding in dogs' ears can have several different causes. This can include discharge from within the dog's ear, puffy tissues, or internal bleeding.
With bleeding that originates in the puffy tissues, there are pockets of fluid that occur usually due to previous trauma and more commonly in long-eared dogs.
Possible Causes of Bleeding in the Ear
As mentioned above, there are several possible causes of ear bleeding in dogs. Some of the most common reasons are:
- Trauma: Either self-inflicted or caused by an exterior source.
- Cancer: Either benign or malignant.
- Parasitic infestation: Such as ticks, fleas, mites, or others.
- Infections: Bacterial or fungal infections.
- Bleeding caused by ear infections resulting in a systemic concern may result in a perforated eardrum.
- Your dog will likely scratch and shake their head which may potentially result in hematomas.
Symptoms Related to Bleeding Ears in Dogs
If your dog has bleeding in the ear you may notice these other symptoms as well:
- Visible blood on the rim or just inside the ear
- Excessive head shaking or ear scratching
- Pain in the area
- Discharge of any color
- Foul odor
- Swelling of the ear and ear canal
- Issues with balance
- Avoiding opening their mouth
Stopping Your Dog's Ears From Bleeding
The first thing you should do if you notice blood in your dog's ear is to call your vet to schedule an appointment. There are a variety of causes behind ear bleeding, some of which can be serious. The only way to properly treat your dog is with a diagnosis and recommended treatment options from the vet.
If your dog's ear bleeding is only a small external cut there are a few steps you can take to stop the bleeding:
Step 1. Make sure you have your dog in a safe and calm area.
Step 2: Grab your dog's first aid kit:
- Styptic powder (cornstarch or flour will also work)
- Antiseptic ointment
- Absorbent pads, gauze, or cotton balls
- Bandages
Step 3: Apply the styptic powder to the wound and hold the absorbent pads with firm pressure until the bleeding stops. If the bleeding does not stop after 10 minutes you should contact your vet.
Step 4: Apply the antiseptic ointment to the area surrounding the wound but not directly on it otherwise the bleeding may begin again.
If your dog was in a fight with another dog or animal, or if the wound is quite deep, you should contact your primary vet or visit your nearest emergency animal hospital.
Treating Your Dog's Bleeding Ears
Your vet will perform a complete examination and diagnostics to determine the issue. Once your dog's condition has been diagnosed they will offer a treatment plan for the concern. Treatment options could include:
- Topical and/or oral antibiotic medications for treating infections
- Pain medications
- Steroidal medications for any inflammation
- Surgical drainage of hematomas
- Clean and flushing of the ear canal for build-up or foreign body removal.
- Treatments specific to certain diseases
Recovery Time After Treatment
The recovery time and prognosis for treating bleeding ears in dogs are relatively quick if managed quickly.
If your dog's condition is caused by an ongoing condition then your vet will determine a long-term treatment plan. If the ear bleeding is caused by chronic ear infections then you will need to ensure you treat each one promptly to avoid complications.
When to Seek Emergency Care
While all instances of ear bleeding in dogs should be seen by a vet, certain situations may require emergency veterinary care such as:
- Bleeding that does not stop after 10 minutes
- Other signs that your dog may need emergency care include the symptoms of infection or other ongoing or worsening symptoms
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.