Aural Hematoma

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Becky - 21 Oct 2005 21:02 GMT

Hiya

I have posted this query to rec.pets.cats.health+behav but i thought I would
post here too in the hope that anybody here can help.
Alternatively (although I am seeking advice from my vet) can anybody
recommend an online vet consultation website (pref UK) where i can get an
opinon?

My siamese cat Fawn developed an aural hematoma (a large swelling cause by
ruptured blood vessels in the ear flap) 2 weeks ago.
I think it arose due to him scratching/headshaking and worrying at a small
cut on his head.
Took him to vets straight away and 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 with blood 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

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Web Jones - 22 Oct 2005 08:01 GMT

> Hiya

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
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> Any advice/opinions/experiences would be greatly appreciated.
> Becky

My cat, Simon [now deceased unrelated to the aural hematoma], developed that
several years ago. He had one operation as you describe, which was
successful. The ear never looked quite the same again, It had a quilted
look to it. I'll try to find a photo of him showing the ear.

Did you call this to your vet's attention after the second surgery? Simon's
affected ear when healed looked actually a bit smaller than his "normal"
ear. But do ask the vet. Perhaps this is normal. Although, I'm not sure
how much trust I'd repose in them if they didn't get the surgery right the
first time. Perhaps a visit to a second vet is in order.

Stand by while I try to locate a photo for you.

Joni

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Web Jones - 22 Oct 2005 08:07 GMT

> Hiya
>
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> recommend an online vet consultation website (pref UK) where i can get an
> opinon?

[Snipped]

> 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
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> Any advice/opinions/experiences would be greatly appreciated.
> Becky

Here's one photo of Simon that kind of shows his left ear a bit smaller than
the "normal" right ear.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/81791302@N00/44578941/in/set-974609/

This one shows it a bit better. Even tho he's got the ear laid back, you
can see it's sort of "crinkly" around the edges.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/81791302@N00/44578945/in/set-974609/

I hope this helps, but do ask your vet about your concerns. And good luck
with your kitty.

Joni

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Becky - 22 Oct 2005 15:35 GMT

Thanks for your posts Joni
What a fine looking cat Simon was, bless him, quite a cute kink to the ear
too :-)
Yes it seems surgery is usually very effective. I havent spoken to the vet
since the 2nd operation as I only noticed the thickness of the ear just
yesterday, tho perhaps it is normal, or due to the tubes, im not sure. I
will give them a call on monday to see what they think.
The vet nurse implied that it had developed again due to headshaking since
the first op, but its so difficult to stop him doing that. He seems to know
he shouldnt but it must be despreately itchy n sore and since he has one of
those awful elizabethan collars, he cant wash himself (tho we do wash him
with wet cotton wool which he likes but i dont wanna touch the ear).
Ive been with this vet since my first beloved dog (prolly 20+yrs) and they
handled her so well when she had to be put to sleep that Ive always trusted
them. I tried a more local vets recently when Fawn lost a nail, but was very
unhappy with the way they handled him, so it would be awful to lose my trust
in them. I will think on a second opinion, if needs be. Tho for now, I just
want him to heal from his op and have stitches out, we cant put him through
surgery again, has been v.traumatic for him, so Im thinking of leaving it
and seeing if it disperses on its own.
Will let you know how it turns out.
Thanks ever so for your help xx
Becky

> > Hiya
> >
[quoted text clipped - 26 lines]
>
> Joni

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Becky - 29 Oct 2005 16:17 GMT

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

> Thanks for your posts Joni
> What a fine looking cat Simon was, bless him, quite a cute kink to the ear
[quoted text clipped - 54 lines]
> >
> > Joni

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