Swollen Ear Tips - Doberman Forum : Doberman Breed Dog Forums

AlyssaN · 12-08-2012, 03:49 PM

Hi there,

I was wondering if anyone has experience with the tips of their dogs ears getting swollen for no apparent reason.

I took him for a 25 minute walk outside, and he was totally fine (it's about -25 out here today) and then about half an hour after we got back the tip of his ear swelled up. Now it's to the point where he can't hold his ear up

. I feel so awful...

We haven't posted his ears in a month at least, so I'm quite confused.

We have a vet appointment for 4:30, little guy's going to make me late for work. Thank goodness for bosses who are also dog owners. I know the vet will tell me what's going on, but it's not my usual vet (who isn't open after 1 on Saturdays) so I'm a little on edge.

Please send well wishes.

Shell81 · 12-08-2012, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlyssaN

Hi there,

I was wondering if anyone has experience with the tips of their dogs ears getting swollen for no apparent reason.

I took him for a 25 minute walk outside, and he was totally fine (it's about -25 out here today) and then about half an hour after we got back the tip of his ear swelled up. Now it's to the point where he can't hold his ear up

. I feel so awful...

We haven't posted his ears in a month at least, so I'm quite confused.

We have a vet appointment for 4:30, little guy's going to make me late for work. Thank goodness for bosses who are also dog owners. I know the vet will tell me what's going on, but it's not my usual vet (who isn't open after 1 on Saturdays) so I'm a little on edge.

Please send well wishes.

If it wasn't so cold there today I would think allergy to something (bug bite etc), but since it's frigid Manitoba

that can't be it. Is he usually outside for that long when it's that cold? Could be due to the cold possibly. Anyway I'm sending lots of good thoughts for your handsome guy.

AlyssaN · 12-08-2012, 04:01 PM

Here are some pictures:

He's always had that little bald spot on his ears, so that isn't significant.

Flopped to the side.

VZ-Doberman · 12-08-2012, 04:18 PM

Has he been shaking his head?

Shell81 · 12-08-2012, 04:23 PM

After looking at the pictures, I was going to ask you if he has been shaking his head, but I see I was beaten to it lol.

It looks like it could be a hematoma starting. Usually they happen from excessive head shaking (from an ear infection or other irritation) that causes trauma to the ear flap. Of course it's hard to say from a pic only, but I've seen hematomas that look very similar. IF that's what it is, it's not a terrible one. I've seen them where the entire ear was so thick and swollen so it couldn't lay flat (in floppy eared breeds).

VZ-Doberman · 12-08-2012, 04:29 PM

OP.....

Try looking up ear/auricular hematoma. Not saying this is what it is but it's a start.

DogsR4Life · 12-08-2012, 05:22 PM

Def take him to the vet, was it nippy outside? Could be slightly frost bitten.

AlyssaN · 12-08-2012, 05:28 PM

I took him to the vet who stated that she believed that it was hematoma, which was my guess as well. I never really noticed him shaking his head much, which makes me feel sooo much worse about this.

He indeed does have an ear infection, it's his second one already so she suspects that he's more prone to them and he'll need to be placed on a daily medication after it's cleared up (my wallet cried out in pain a little on that one).

She said she can't completely rule out frost bite, but because it's still warm rather than cold or hot she doesn't suspect it to be the case. I guess I'll be crocheting a nice thick snood for him tomorrow.

ETA: What's really weird is that most of the swelling has already gone down. I'm not sure why it was so brief, but what used to be half the size of my thumb is now barely visible. His ear is even standing again. Maybe his body was trying to say something was wrong in a way I would notice so he could get help. Okay probably not, but maybe!

Shell81 · 12-08-2012, 05:42 PM

Glad to hear that his ear is doing better already, and hopefully his infection clears up nicely for you (my last dog was VERY prone to ear infections, they are something I am (unfortunately) very well versed in).

Fingers crossed the swelling stays down now. Hugs to him.

Sue Strohecker · 12-09-2012, 07:22 AM

[quote=AlyssaN;1203984]I took him to the vet who stated that she believed that it was hematoma, which was my guess as well. I never really noticed him shaking his head much, which makes me feel sooo much worse about this.

He indeed does have an ear infection, it's his second one already so she suspects that he's more prone to them and he'll need to be placed on a daily medication after it's cleared up (my wallet cried out in pain a little on that one).

She said she can't completely rule out frost bite, but because it's still warm rather than cold or hot she doesn't suspect it to be the case. I guess I'll be crocheting a nice thick snood for him tomorrow.

Here is a coat with a snood,all one piece

AlyssaN · 12-09-2012, 03:29 PM

Neat! But he has so many nice expensive sweaters and jackets already, all I need is something to cover his ears. I'm not the best crocheter, but I can make a pretty basic one. It's tonight's project!