dog with swollen ear- PICs pg2

[QuailHollow]

Quote:
I think this was a misunderstanding. My husband's Labrador had a double dose of cauliflower ear - as the term cauliflower ear is synonymous with a hematoma auris. You see this a lot in UFC fighters or Competitive Boxing. His dog has had bilateral hematomas, and no - her ears never *burst*. Have you ever had a hematoma anywhere? Skin is pretty resilient, not to mention thick. The hematoma will only get as large as blood pressure allows.

Anyway - The hematoma causes the ear leather to separate from the cartilage. The crinkled ear appearance happens when the hematoma is healed and the skin relaxes/retracts back to it's normal state. As you can imagine, it never reattaches exactly how it was before.

I think the confusion is coming from the fact that blood vessels WITHIN the ear 'bursting', is what caused the hematoma/cauliflower ear. Not the ear itself.
Again, I think it was a misunderstanding, that's all.

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

Okay, so we went to the vet this afternoon. After looking at the ear, the vet wants to drain it and tack it back down to itself. Basically, she wants to do the ear surgury. We discussed the other options (leaving it alone, aspirating it, etc) and she thinks that it is bad enough that she wants to go ahead and drain it. She also said she would stitch it in such a way as to keep it from happening again and so that I won't have to wrap Lucy's head during the healing process. That's a relief. The ear wrap wasn't a successful experience. While she's in there, the vet is going to really clean out her ears and look for signs of infection. We'll start her on ear meds again and a short term steroid. I'm also switching foods from the one we have to something hypoallergenic. I think it all stems from allergies. Lucy digs at her ears and chews on her feet all the time. I'm thinking we'll start with food allergy and go from there.

We go in at 9am tomorrow and she'll be there until 4pm or so. You might keep Lucy in your thoughts.

THanks for the help!

 

[breezy]

Best Wishes with your girl Lucy. Im sure she will come thru with flying colors. When we picked my boxer up from the emergency vet she was still a drunken punkin from the sedation. She slept most of the afternoon away. Had her rechecked today and shes doing well. Im sure yours is going to just as well

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

Quote:
Oh gosh... a drunk Lucy....

 

[Southernbelle]

Just saw this thread, Anne. I'll keep her in my thoughts, tomorrow. I'm sure she'll do fine!

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

Quote:
Thanks, Karen. Usually the critters do fine. I'm a neurotic nutcase, but they are peachy keen fine.

 

[CoopCrazy]

Glad to hear it.... I'll be thinking about Lucy today...

 

[lauralou]

I just saw this thread, too. Poor Lucy! And poor you, too. I know how it is to be worried sick by your little critters.

I used to have a dog that got ear infections a lot, and it was due to food allergies. So I think you're on to something there. Hopefully the change in feed will put an end to the recurring problem.

 

[tdgill]

My friends collie had the surgery and the ear won't stand up now.

I thought we had food allergy issues here (was told it was most likely the beef byproducts) but did read that food allergies are not as common as we think. I started to consider other causes...carpet fresh dust stuff, or dust mites, mold or mildew, grass or anything lawn related. Has anyone ever used medicated powder on their dogs feet?

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

Update on Lucy!

She's back home and snoring away on the sofa. She's still really drunk and dopey, but all is well. Her ear looks horrible, but at least it has been dealt with. Dodger the cat is completely freaked out for some reason and is slinking around Lucy with her tail all fluffed out.

Thanks to all for the advice!