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Cat Forum / Health and Behavior / November 2005Hematoma
Hi, One of my cats has a hematoma (very swollen ear). I really want to take him to the vet to have it profesionally cared for, but we're on such a tight budget that there's no way we could afford the procedure. What would you recommend doing? I just found out today that the wrinkly ear thing is caused by hematoma; his *other* ear is like that, but we never saw it happen to him. Similarly, one of my other cats has the same wrinkled ear, and we never saw that one develop either. (Some of my cats cats are in the garage at night.) Could any one explain why something like this could go on for weeks (as some experiences I've read suggest), while others happen in the blink of an eye? Would the ear really look less disfigured if it were surgically treated? Again, I would love to take him to the vet, but it would be nearly impossible to afford. Thanks, Perry > Hi, > [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > surgically treated? Again, I would love to take him to the vet, but > it would be nearly impossible to afford. Aren't these caused by scratching a lot? If your cat is scratching that much you really do need to take him to the vet. >> Hi, >> [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] >Aren't these caused by scratching a lot? If your cat is scratching that >much you really do need to take him to the vet. What's really weird is that he *doesn't* scratch his ears that much. I just wonder if he got in a fight or something... Perry > What's really weird is that he *doesn't* scratch his ears that much. > I just wonder if he got in a fight or something... Maybe--but BOTH ears? In any case, Paul is right. He really needs to go to the vet. I am sure one of your vets would work it out with you so you could pay in installments. You might consider keeping your cat inside so that he is not exposed to things like fights and disease--but for sure he needs to see the vet now. He might be in pain, and his ears might get infected. I can tell you care about him, so I know you will help him now. Do let us know how it works out. > Hi, > [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > surgically treated? Again, I would love to take him to the vet, but > it would be nearly impossible to afford. The procedure is not especially expensive. It involves making a slit in the ear allowing the site to drain and heal. You need to call your vet, explain the financial issue and work something out. Any good vet will do this. If our vet won't then find one who will. The ear will never look the same but it has to be treated. Not having it treated is not an option. It could get infectedm rupture or cause necrosis if not properly cared for. Think of all the things you spend money on that cost the same or less than the procedure. It's not such a lot of money spread out over 3-4 months. Work with the vets, they will help you. Paul > Hi, > > One of my cats has a hematoma (very swollen ear). I really want to > take him to the vet to have it profesionally cared for, but we're on > such a tight budget that there's no way we could afford the procedure. > What would you recommend doing? Tightening your budget a little more and reevaluating your priorities so you can take your cat to the vet. > I just found out today that the wrinkly ear thing is caused by > hematoma; his *other* ear is like that, but we never saw it happen to [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > (as some experiences I've read suggest), while others happen in the > blink of an eye? Because some hematomas are small and sometimes heal on their own and others are large and chronic- it depends on the amount of damage. Shaking his head and/or scratching his ear can fracture the cartilage of the earflap (pinna) and the delicate blood vessels inside the cartilage. Once the bleeding starts inside the cartilage- it usually continues until the pressure causes the blood to clot. Scratching his ear and shaking his head will only increases the pressure inside the hematoma- which will separate the fractured cartilage even further and cause the hemorrhaging to begin again. If the hematoma is left untreated, the fibrin in the blood starts to dissolve leaving a bloody mass inside the pinna. Would the ear really look less disfigured if it were > surgically treated? If you get him treated right away- there might be no disfigurement- not even a scar. But if you don't have it treated, it will get bigger and deform the ear (cauliflower ear) as well as become infected. If the infection gets into the bloodstream it can travel to other organs and anywhere in the body. Not to mention the continuous discomfort. You also need to find the *cause* that's making his ear itch- he may have otitis externa that might be secondary to some underlying primary ear disorder such as ear mites. Again, I would love to take him to the vet, but > it would be nearly impossible to afford. The cat needs to seen by a vet *now*. Treatment probably won't be expensive if you get him treated *now*- but it will be later. If you have a decent relationship with your vet, I'm sure he'll accept partial payments. >> I just found out today that the wrinkly ear thing is caused by >> hematoma; his *other* ear is like that, but we never saw it happen to [quoted text clipped - 39 lines] >If you have a decent relationship with your vet, I'm sure he'll accept >partial payments. Update... My Mom initially did not want to take him to the vet, thinking that it would probably run its course. However, it turns out that our vet is really good about letting people pay things out. So today, we took him in for surgery and they're going to keep him until Monday (so he doesn't sling blood all over the house!). I'm afraid that his ear may be a little screwed up, since we didn't take him in immediately (as I actually did, before I knew what it was and thought it might be life-threatening), but hopefully he'll be fine. The doc said that he's seen four or five cats and six or seven dogs in the past week or two with hematomas... said it's really common right now. Weird, eh? Perry > The doc said that he's seen four or five cats and six or seven > dogs in the past week or two with hematomas... said it's really > common right now. Weird, eh? I heard the same thing from our vet recently when I took a one year old male in for swollen paw pads. He was licking and chewing them, had some inflammation and some blister-looking sores that looked almost like burns. In between the pads was inflammed. She said she's seen a lot of this over the last month or so, and attributes it to allergy - either ragweed or mold spores. Depending on where you're located, definately seasonal.  SignatureCheryl Hiya My siamese cat Fawn developed a hematoma 2 weeks ago. (I think it was arose due to him scratching/headshaking and worrying at a small cut on his head) He has been treated but im still worried about him...if anybody knows more about this please may i ask your opinion? The vet told me if it is left untreated, it can disperse on its own but is likely to recurr and if so, will cause 'complications', cailiflower ear,pain,possible infection. They immediately recommended surgery which involved draining the ear, stitching it up with plastic tubes both on the outside and underside of the ear flap, looked very messy but apparently the tubing is to put pressure on the cartilege layers to stop the ear from filling up again. Unfortunately, they seemed to have left a gap with no tubes/stitches and another smaller lump developed within 4-5 days after surgery :-( Took him straight back to the vets and they had to do the operation again, this time they stiched the whole ear, plastic tubes all over, looks very messy and very uncomfortable for the Fawn :-( This 2nd operation was 3 days ago and im worried as his earflap looks generally thicker than the other, even underneath those plastic tubes. Im really worried the hematoma is returning again....is this likely? Surely it cant recurr after 2 operations, i dont know what else they can do! I cant put him through surgery again! Any advice/opinions/experiences would be greatly appreciated. Becky > Hi, > [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > Thanks, > Perry > Hiya > > My siamese cat Fawn developed a hematoma 2 weeks ago. Becky, how is Fawn today? > Hiya > [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > tubing is to put pressure on the cartilage layers to stop the ear from > filling up again. Actually, the tube is probably for drainage- although drainage tubes aren't usually used in cats. The stitches should be placed in such a way to allow drainage but still hold the cartilage together until scar tissue forms. > Unfortunately, they seemed to have left a gap with no tubes/stitches and Sloppy job. The incision should gape *slightly* for drainage- but the stitches should be placed carefully so they don't make any pockets where the hematoma can reform. Hematomas in cats' ears are caused by the cartilage splitting- so, the stitches should be placed through both sides of the cartilage on either side of the hematoma to pull and hold the cartilage together evenly. Sounds like vet missed a stitch and a pocket formed and filled with fluid. > another smaller lump developed within 4-5 days after surgery :-( The stitches may have been too tight. The stitches can cause edema in the pinna if they're tied to tightly. Also, the stiches should be placed vertically- and parallel to the artery and its tiny branches- not horizontally. across them-- those little branches inside the cartilage are where hematomas come from. Another possibility is he may have scratched his ear or shook his head- both can fracture the cartilage or reopened the fracture before it had time to heal- could take a few weeks to heal. > Took him straight back to the vets and they had to do the operation again, > this time they stitched the whole ear, plastic tubes all over, looks very > messy and very uncomfortable for the Fawn :-( He really shouldn't need tubes or stents for support- the cartilage stitched together should provide enough support if the sutures were placed correctly. > This 2nd operation was 3 days ago and im worried as his earflap looks > generally thicker than the other, even underneath those plastic tubes. Im > really worried the hematoma is returning again....is this likely? Probably not. Surely it > cant recurr after 2 operations, i dont know what else they can do! I cant > put him through surgery again! > Any advice/opinions/experiences would be greatly appreciated. > Becky Does he have a bandage or E-collar? You've gotta keep him from scratching his ear- that alone can cause a hematoma. He also shouldn't shake his head violently- because that causes sinusoidal waves in the ear that can also fracture the cartilage. Other than putting their head in a vice- I have no idea how to stop a cat from shaking his head. ;-) I'll try to dig up an illustration of a hematoma repair, a little later so you'll have an idea of what I'm talking about. Best of luck, Phil Thanks so much for your reply Phil, you seem to really know what ya talking about. And thanks for your concern cybercat. Fawn is doing well today, he now seems recovered from the trauma of surgery and being at the vets, though the ear is very uncomfortable for him, but at least he seems to be sleeping and resting alot. Fawn does have an e-collar on ever since the first op 2weeks ago, gods that was awful for him, took him about a week to get used to it, but hes absolutely fine with it now, except he cant wash himself! (we wash him with wet cotton wool and he likes that). So he cannot scratch the ear at all. However, he does violently headshake each time he gets up to walk about (how do they shake their head so fast!) its like an obsessive reaction now, and i cant stop him from doing it, save by feeding him to distract him or getting him to sleep. I understand that this may have been what caused the second lump to appear (as well as sloppy surgery, I think they did miss a stitch). I could send a piccies after each surgery, tho its very gruesome. The tubes do seem to run vertically from the base to the tip of the ear flap and theres more tubes inside the ear than on top. They do seem to be for drainange also, as theres a lot of clotted blood around them (should I be cleaning it up?) It makes alot of sense to me to leave an open wound..so the fluids can drain, then surely it cant build up again. However the vet told me these ones arent so much for drainage, but more to apply pressure to the cartilege. He has very big ears being a siamese, perhaps they need more support. Thank goodness the ear doesnt seem to have gotton any thicker these last coupla days, but im worried that as it heals, the stitches seem to get looser,whats to stop it from filling up again. I will give the vet a call tommorow, but Im almost reluctant to take him back, as they have told me the only repair for hematoma is surgery and I cant do that again(why dont they have a medicinal treatment!)...but your words have reassured me and hopefully this will fix it, if we can keep him calm and minimise the headshhaking! Wonder if some form of sedative will help him through the discomfort, he really is a fussy cat when he has a 'bee in his bonnet' hes too much of a fighter to lie there and take it! Thanks v.much for your help. Becky > > Hiya > > [quoted text clipped - 69 lines] > > Phil > calm and minimise the headshhaking! Since he has an ecollar and can't lick it, isn't there perhaps some topical treatment to help ease the pain? That would help with headshaking. > Thanks so much for your reply Phil, you seem to really know what ya talking > about. I've had to deal with enough of them. ;-( > And thanks for your concern cybercat. Fawn is doing well today, he now seems > recovered from the trauma of surgery and being at the vets, though the ear [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > absolutely fine with it now, except he cant wash himself! (we wash him with > wet cotton wool and he likes that). Cats adapt well to E-collars after a day or two. > So he cannot scratch the ear at all. However, he does violently headshake > each time he gets up to walk about (how do they shake their head so fast!) > its like an obsessive reaction now, and i cant stop him from doing it, save > by feeding him to distract him or getting him to sleep. I understand that > this may have been what caused the second lump to appear (as well as sloppy > surgery, I think they did miss a stitch). Here's an illustration of what the procedure should look like; with and without a drainage tube: http://www.maxshouse.com/Illustrations/aural_hematoma_repair.jpg I could send a piccies after each > surgery, tho its very gruesome. > The tubes do seem to run vertically from the base to the tip of the ear flap > and theres more tubes inside the ear than on top. They do seem to be for > drainange also, as theres a lot of clotted blood around them (should I be > cleaning it up?) No. The clot forms a seal around the tube that acts like a barrier and keeps debris out of the wound. It makes alot of sense to me to leave an open wound..so the > fluids can drain, then surely it cant build up again. However the vet told > me these ones arent so much for drainage, but more to apply pressure to the > cartilege. He has very big ears being a siamese, perhaps they need more > support. I've seen hematomas repairs in large dogs that didn't need supports or stents. > Thank goodness the ear doesnt seem to have gotton any thicker these last > coupla days, but im worried that as it heals, the stitches seem to get > looser,whats to stop it from filling up again. The cartilage itself as it heals. > I will give the vet a call tommorow, but Im almost reluctant to take him > back, as they have told me the only repair for hematoma is surgery and I > cant do that again(why dont they have a medicinal treatment!)... If the hematoma is small, sometimes they can be drained via a needle without the need to make an incision. But if the hematoma is too large to resolve on its own- its best to clean it out. but your > words have reassured me and hopefully this will fix it, if we can keep him > calm and minimise the headshhaking! Wonder if some form of sedative will > help him through the discomfort, he really is a fussy cat when he has a 'bee > in his bonnet' hes too much of a fighter to lie there and take it! > Thanks v.much for your help. > Becky I'm happy he's doing better- Thanks for the update. Best of luck. Phil > > > Hiya > > > [quoted text clipped - 85 lines] > > > > Phil Just an update... Simon came home from the vet today and he's doing fine. His ear looks like a little mangled, but I don't know what it will look like when it's fully healed. Thanks to everyone here who kicked my butt and told me what to do. :) Perry > Just an update... > > Simon came home from the vet today and he's doing fine. His ear looks > like a little mangled, but I don't know what it will look like when > it's fully healed. Thanks to everyone here who kicked my butt and > told me what to do. :) Perry, I am so glad Simon is doing well. I knew you would take good care of him. I appreciate your bringing these hematomas to my attention, particularly the fact that they are appearing more and more in cats. I will keep an eye on my furbabies. > Just an update... > > Simon came home from the vet today and he's doing fine. His ear looks > like a little mangled, but I don't know what it will look like when > it's fully healed. Thanks to everyone here who kicked my butt and > told me what to do. :) I think you already knew what to do- I just wanted to make sure you listened to yourself. I'm happy he's doing well, now. Thanks for the update. Phil Hiya Just an update on my siamese cat Fawn, who developed an aural hematoma 3 weeks ago. Yesterday we took him back to the vets to have his stitches out, which was very quick, tho it took 3 ppl to hold the poor cat still! (he's so strong!) The vet is very pleased with the final outcome and his ear looked fairly normal (apart from being quite hairless and having lots of little red 'pinpricks' from where the stitches where!) The ear structure is very strong and perky, I think when his hair grows back, any deformation will be unnoticeable. It seems that the thickness I'd noticed last week was a bit of an illusion...with the tubes and clotted blood, and the nurses had also indicated when i phoned them last monday, that some swelling was normal. I can't tell you how much happier the Fawn is! :-D He spent hours just washing himself last night and he has stopped the sctratching and headshaking, he seems back to his normal, fine self :-) Fingers crossed this will have fixed it, the vet seemed pretty confident that it shouldnt recurr. Thanks for your help whilst I was going through the worry of surgery. Becky > > Just an update... > > [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > Phil > Hiya > Just an update on my siamese cat Fawn, who developed an aural hematoma 3 > weeks ago. > Yesterday we took him back to the vets to have his stitches out, which was > very quick, tho it took 3 ppl to hold the poor cat still! (he's so strong!) I didn't realize he was a Siamese. Do you have a photo page, I would love to see him. > The vet is very pleased with the final outcome and his ear looked fairly > normal (apart from being quite hairless and having lots of little red [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > He spent hours just washing himself last night and he has stopped the > sctratching and headshaking, he seems back to his normal, fine self :-) Wonderful news for Fawn and you too! thanks for the update. Now you can help those who are faced with this problem, so don't be a stranger. > > Hiya > > Just an update on my siamese cat Fawn, who developed an aural hematoma 3 [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > Wonderful news for Fawn and you too! thanks for the update. Now you can > help those who are faced with this problem, so don't be a stranger. Yes Fawn's a beautiful, characterful, noisy, affectionate seal-point siamese :-) I am the lucky guardian of two, Fawn-Lea & his niece Amber-Lea (1 yr old, cute as a button) If you can, check out the piccies on my msnspace ...also put a photo of his 'new' ear, which is looking a bit 'crinkly' now, after the op, but we dont care, cos it feels great to him! http://spaces.msn.com/members/blueforlu/ I certainly feel a lot more knowledgeable on this particular problem, and would be glad to offer the same sort of reassuring help/advice to others that you peeps showed me here :-) Becky > Yes Fawn's a beautiful, characterful, noisy, affectionate seal-point siamese > :-) [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > 'new' ear, which is looking a bit 'crinkly' now, after the op, but we dont > care, cos it feels great to him! > http://spaces.msn.com/members/blueforlu/ Wow, what a beautiful pair! I especially like the one of them curled up together. Your Fawn looks a lot like a slightly younger version of KitKat's Jasper! (I also love that "Chinese Red" sofa!) > I certainly feel a lot more knowledgeable on this particular problem, and > would be glad to offer the same sort of reassuring help/advice to others > that you peeps showed me here :-) Thanks, you are a very nice addition to the group. His ear looks like it is healing well and I know you are relieved to see it. Have a look at Becky's "Fawn!" ;) > Yes Fawn's a beautiful, characterful, noisy, affectionate seal-point siamese > :-) [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > 'new' ear, which is looking a bit 'crinkly' now, after the op, but we dont > care, cos it feels great to him! > http://spaces.msn.com/members/blueforlu/ > Have a look at Becky's "Fawn!" ;) OH.MEH.GAWD!!!!!!!!!!!! It looks like someone kidnapped DUDLEY!!!!!!!!!!! Those pix are the BEST. sh.t, now i'ma be late for work!!!!!!!!! :):):) > > Have a look at Becky's "Fawn!" ;) > > OH.MEH.GAWD!!!!!!!!!!!! > > It looks like someone kidnapped DUDLEY!!!!!!!!!!! I think we need to speak with Becky about Fawn's ancestry. :') That shiny little wedge-shaped head, that lovely mocha-to-cream fur, that inscrutable expression~~! They may be related! Though I imagine Fawn meows with an English accent. :) > Those pix are the BEST. > > sh.t, now i'ma be late for work!!!!!!!!! > > :):):) Come back tonight and we will investigate this matter further!! > > > Have a look at Becky's "Fawn!" ;) > > [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > Come back tonight and we will investigate this > matter further!! :-D lols thanks. Love Siamese, theyre like bonsai panthers crossed with lemur monkeys :-) Do you have any piccies of Dudley? Would love to see the resemblance for maself. I think Fawn does have a distinguished, sometimes stern, proper English accent, that would suit him. He really seems to talk sometimes, makes like a chattery-meow, specially when he's eating, like hes commenting on the food! Amber's voice is soo girly compared to his!... but tis all music to my ears :-) Becky > > > > Have a look at Becky's "Fawn!" ;) > > > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > lemur monkeys :-) > Do you have any piccies of Dudley? Here is Kitkat's photo site: http://public.fotki.com/kitkatluna/miscellaneous/jasper_dudley/ I think you will be amazed at the similarities! > > > > > Have a look at Becky's "Fawn!" ;) > > > > [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > I think you will be amazed at the similarities! Wow Jasper Dudley is a beauty :-) The resemblance is just uncanny!! His coat is soo silky looking...tho quite a bit darker than Fawn's...i'm guessing he's older than the Fawn? Fawn started off as white as Amber & hes getting darker each year...he's 7 now, I look forward to seeing him as dark as Jasper, looks beautiful :-) Becky > Wow Jasper Dudley is a beauty :-) > [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > Becky He is pretty awesome. Thanks for checking him out!!!! :) ANd yes, Dudley is older...he is either 13 or 14...we are not sure if he was born in 1992 or was one year old in 1992. We have a picture of him from his days with his previous owners and he was much lighter. Fawn will certainly darken up with age! I LOVED the pictures of your 2 kitties. Amber definitely looks like a monkey in a few of those shots! I book marked it so I could look at them again and again. Had to show DH. We are just astonished at how cute they are and how much Fawn and Dudley look like long lost brothers!!!! :) Pam > :-D lols thanks. Love Siamese, theyre like bonsai panthers crossed with > lemur monkeys :-) [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > :-) > Becky Holy crap. I just showed DH the pix and we both agree...YOU KIDNAPPED DUDLEY! YOU TOOK PICTURES OF HIM AND PRETENDED THEY WERE YOUR CAT!!!!! ;-) TOO FUNNY. now I want a baby dudley! pam also put a photo of his > 'new' ear, which is looking a bit 'crinkly' now, after the op, but we dont > care, cos it feels great to him! > http://spaces.msn.com/members/blueforlu/ That's gonna heal just fine- in a few months you'll never know he had a hematoma! Based on your vet's technique, I was expecting a lot worse- but the ear looks great for only a week or two after surgery! ;-) > I certainly feel a lot more knowledgeable on this particular problem, and > would be glad to offer the same sort of reassuring help/advice to others > that you peeps showed me here :-) > Becky Experience is the best teacher. Why not make a webpage describing your experience? It would surely help others whose cats have the same problem. Best of luck, Phil Hiya Just an update on my siamese cat Fawn, who developed an aural hematoma 3 weeks ago. Yesterday we took him back to the vets to have his stitches out, which was very quick, tho it took 3 ppl to hold the poor cat still! (he's so strong!) The vet is very pleased with the final outcome and his ear looked fairly normal (apart from being quite hairless and having lots of little red 'pinpricks' from where the stitches where!) The ear structure is very strong and perky, I think when his hair grows back, any deformation will be unnoticeable. It seems that the thickness I'd noticed last week was a bit of an illusion...with the tubes and clotted blood, and the nurses had also indicated when i phoned them last monday, that some swelling was normal. I can't tell you how much happier the Fawn is! :-D He spent hours just washing himself last night and he has stopped the sctratching and headshaking, he seems back to his normal, fine self :-) Fingers crossed this will have fixed it, the vet seemed pretty confident that it shouldnt recurr. Thanks for your help whilst I was going through the worry of surgery. Becky > > Just an update... > > [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > Phil |
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