File :-(, x, )
Anonymous
So, I walk in my living room, and I notice my dog (an American Pitbull named Xena, we call her Sissy) was shaking her head strangely. Upon further inspection, her fucking ear looked like damn balloon.

So, take her to vet, you say? Well, that was my first thought. But my family is going through hard times with money and can't afford a trip to the vet. Upon doing some research, I'm pretty sure its a aural hematoma. The coloration of the skin near it is red (the bursted blood vessels inside, etc.) and she is known for scratching her ears. I don't think there's an accompanying ear infection, but if there is, its been there for months because she just started to scratch her ears until they bled randomly one day. We've had to keep watch on her and stop her from doing it. She doesn't do it so often anymore.

So, with this info and knowing the causes of a aural hematoma are 1. ear infection, 2. alot of shaking of the head or scratching at the ears, I have deduced this is probably correct.

Sorry for being so long-winded. The hematoma should resolve itself over a week or so on its own, but I'm worried about her bursting it herself or something in the mean time and her discomfort. What should I do, /an/?

Pic related, this is her ear. Taken with a cell phone, sorry.
>> Anonymous
There's no choice, you need to take her to the vet and should have long ago for the ear infection (ear mites?) It will NOT resolve itself because the dog will keep scratching until whatever the cause is goes away.
And now that it's gotten this bad the dog won't stop irritating it unless you get one of those collars. Plus, the vet will drain it as much as possible.
There is no choice, it needs a vet. It won't resolve itself and it's bad enough you let this happen.
>> Anonymous
Most vets will understand your situation and help you out with payment plans. Try out what you can, but don't let the dog suffer.
>> Anonymous
>>215603
>>215607
Yeah, when she was scratching her ears and making them bleed, I asked my parents to take her to the vet, but they said they didn't need to, to just get her to stop scratching.

She's a really old dog, about 14 or so, and I love her to death. I would've already taken her, but I am a bum. (Live with parents, no car, no job, etc.) I just have to hope they decide she's worth taking care of. I'd rather have her put down instead of suffer.
>> Anonymous
>>215603
There's not much I can do, but I don't really think its an ear infection. By now, it would've gone into her inner ear and caused her to walk in circles, vomit, and probably snap at people, and she hasn't done any of this.

I think it has to be ear mites, my cat (who is mostly outdoors) has been scratching at his ears and shaking his head. Once more, I noticed it, but no one else did and they wouldn't do anything about it. (Bastards.) I asked my mom to get maybe one of those collars and hopefully, that will help some if it is the problem.
>> Anonymous
>>215700
ITT: Retards who shouldn't have animals in the first place. If you can't afford to fucking take care of a simple ear problem then you shouldn't have a dog at all.
>> Anonymous
>>215715
>I would've already taken her, but I am a bum. (Live with parents, no car, no job, etc.)

You mean your parents can usually afford shit.
>> Anonymous
>>215716
Lol, yes I do.
>> Anonymous
get a fucking job.
>> Anonymous
>>215721
Or better yet, sell your computer to pay for it.
>> Anonymous
>>215722
I use my computer for school.
>> Anonymous
You shouldn't own a dog unless you can pay for these things when they happen.
>> Anonymous
>>215782
My parents usually can. And we didn't want to put her down when we got her, no one wanted her. We're probably going to have to put her down. She's really old, her fur is falling out, she has an enlarged heart, I think its probably for the best.
>> Anonymous
I usually agree with people that you shouldn't own an animal if you can't afford it, but shit happens. Call around and try to find a vet that does billing and payment plans for low income families. It probably is just irritation from being scratched, but it could be a bizarre symptom to oncoming cancer, and with your dog's age you will need to have it checked right away.
>> Anonymous
OP is pretty correct. I'm not too happy about you or your parents not doing anything about her ear problem *before* the hematoma started, but I must admit that my dog had the same, and it didn't take much for him to get it. He started shaking his head one day, I put in dog ear cleaner and cleaned them out with a clean cotton sock, he shook his ears and they hit the chair which resulted in the hematoma. We asked a vet what we should do and he said that an operation will cost $350 to drain it and stitch the ear to a perforated board. He also said that it could happen again and it is perfectly fine to just leave it - it would just cause the ear to crumple up somewhat once the blood has coagulated.
OP, use non-alcoholic ear cleaner regularly from now on and she should be fine.
>> Anonymous
Oh, I forgot to say that you should really consider getting an e-collar to stop her from scratching - I've had a smaller hematoma before and I know they itch and irritate like hell.
It might also be worth putting Betadine on your hands and gently moistening her ears, making sure it doesn't flow into them.
>> Anonymous
Put a fucking cone on her and stfu. Hope this helps.
>> stabby
>>215700I think it has to be ear mites, my cat (who is mostly outdoors) has been scratching at his ears and shaking his head.

Go to the pet store and get some over-the-counter ear cleaner for it. It's like 10 bucks or less.
>> Anonymous
GET THIS FIXED ASAP!

My cat died three weeks ago from an ear infection. DO NOT underestimate these things!