If your dog has bloody ears, it can be caused by either minor irritations or more serious medical concerns. This makes visiting the vet for an exam crucial. Here, our Stroudsburg vets talk about the causes of bloody ears in dogs and how you can help stop a dog's ear from bleeding.
My Dog's Ear is Bleeding
When a dog's ear is bleeding, there can be 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.
Why is my dog experiencing bleeding ears?
While there can be many different causes, some of the most common reasons why your dog's ears might be bleeding include:
- 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.
Your dog may also experience systemic issues in certain cases including:
- 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.
What are the symptoms of 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
How to Treat Bleeding Dog Ears
Calling your vet to schedule an appointment is the first step when you observe blood in your dog's ear. Ear bleeding can have various causes, and some of them may be serious. To properly treat your dog, it is essential to seek a diagnosis and follow the recommended treatment options provided by a veterinarian.
If your dog's ear is bleeding from 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.
How can the vet help treat my dog's bloody ears?
The vet will thoroughly examine your pet and conduct diagnostic tests to identify the problem. After diagnosing your dog's condition, a treatment plan will be offered to address the concern. Possible treatment options may 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
How long will it take for my dog's ears to heal?
If bleeding ears in dogs are managed quickly, the recovery time and prognosis for treatment are relatively quick.
If your dog has an ongoing condition, your vet will develop a long-term treatment plan to address their condition. To prevent complications, it is important to promptly treat each chronic ear infection that may be causing the ear bleeding.
When is blood in a dog's ears an emergency?
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.