Cat ear: is there anything that can be done for hemotoma scarring?

My chihuahua had a hemotoma on her ear which now seems to be fully drained, but has left severe scarring. Her ear is also half the size of her other ear. Is there anything that can be done to get the ear back to normal or close?

  • Vetinfo

    By: Erin Broersma El Segundo, CA

    Replied on 04/19/2011

    Hematoma's are usually lanced, drained, sutured, and the ear infection (which is what usually causes the hematoma to form from the scratching of the ear) is treated. This takes a few weeks to completely drain and dry. Once the wound from the hematoma repair is completely healed, the ear will be crinkled. Unfortunately, it will not look much better then it does at this point. It would be interesting to see (depending on the area you are in and your willingness to spend the money) if a specialist, such as a dermatologist, would be able to cosmetically fix the scarring left. If the scarring has not affected the ear canal, further surgery to perform any repair would be quite unnecessary, and I am sure all she cares about it that the pain of the hematoma is gone.

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