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How to help my dog's painful swollen ear and stop flapping before vet?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Labrador Retriever | Female | unspayed | 7 years and 4 months old | 32 lbs

Hi as prescribed please suggest me if i am draining out the fluid collected by a needle it pains a lot for my baby right is there any medication for relieving the pain after draining out the blood will stop flowing right and what bandage i need to wrap around her earfor not flapping them. Please let me know regarding this procedure until i find a vet till next week.

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3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Megan, DVM, CVA

Veterinarian

Published on August 8th, 2017

This looks like an aural hematoma which is where blood from a capillary bursts and fills up the est between the two layers are cartilage. You can purchase a "no flap ear wrap" online to help with the flapping of the ears. Most commonly this problem needs a procedure done by a vet to allow the blood to drain while the two layers of cartilage re-adhere to one another. Also there is likely an ear infection that caused the shaking of the head to begin with that will likely need to be treated. If the blood is not drained the ear flap will eventually scar down and become a "cauliflower" ear which won't cause too many problems except that it isn't very cosmetic and sometimes they can be more prone to skin infections in the crevices of the cauliflower ear so this isn't recommended. I hope this helps.

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    Answered By Stephanie Echols, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    I'm sorry Ceaser isn't feeling well. I wouldn't recommend draining the blood because it is just going to fill back up. You can try a warm compress on the ear flap for 10-15 minutes 3-4 times a day. Bandaging the ear to the head is an option but it is extremely hard to place and keep the ear from falling out. She really needs oral medication from a vet. They also need to look for an underlying ear infection. Discourage Caeser from shaking her head. Good luck and kisses to Ceaser!

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    Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM

    Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident

    Published on August 8th, 2019

    Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! There is not much you can do in the meantime at home other than preventing as much as possible that he continues to shake his head or scratch his ears. While you are not going to be able to prevent the head shaking (which is really what causes the ear hematoma), you can try to prevent the scratching (to prevent further damage) by using an e-collar. If possible, I would recommend that you have him evaluated sooner as this is quite uncomfortable and painful. This is usually treated with a minor surgery. Best of luck!

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