Description

Bleeding from the ear most often occurs when there is wound to the ear flap (the pinna). If this has cut one of the small arteries that run around the edge of the pinna it can bleed profusely. In addition the animals natural instinct is to shake the head or scratch at the ear - both of which can re-open the blood vessel once it has sealed.

Bleeding from the edge of the pinna can also result from ulceration of cancerous growths (e.g. squamous cell carcinoma which commonly affects the ear flap of white animals (especially cats) following photosensitisation by ultraviolet in sunlight.)

Parasitic encrustations sometimes affect the pinna edges, and these too will bleed if disturbed by the animal.

Owners often describe "a bloody discharge" from the ear, but this usually refers to a reddy-brown or red-orange discharge from the external ear canal associated with infections.

True haemorrhage from the ear canal is rare, and usually associated with foreign bodies, trauma or cancers. Benign polyps in the ear canal may bleed if traumatised. Severe head injuries with intracranial haemorrhage can result in bleeding from the ears if the ear drums have been ruptured.

A common form of haemorrhage involving the ear is haematoma - when the bleeding occurs under the skin of the ear flap. The haemorrhage fills up the ear flap until the back pressure stops further blood loss from the vessel. If untreated the blood will clot and heal, causing fibrosis and a shrunken "cauliflower ear". Aural haematomas are usually drained surgically and either compression techniques used to stop the deadspace from refilling , or corticosteroids are injected into the space to prevent refilling. Any trauma to the ear, including self-induced injury due to head shaking or scratching, can cause a haematoma.

Treatment

The underlying cause must be treated.

Haemorrhage can be stopped by surgical ligation and suturing of wounds, excision of ulcerated areas (including cancers) and by the application of a pressure bandage. Special compression techniques are sometimes used to prevent refilling of aural haematomas.

Last updated : October 2013