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My dog has a soft bubble or blister inside her ear. What is it?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Large (61lb +) | Female | spayed | 5 years and 3 months old | 80 lbs

my dog has a bubble type thing on her ear. about 2 inches long. it’s internal. somewhat like an air bubble. what is this? it doesn’t seem to bother her unless we touch it.

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Kevin Sanada, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on September 27th, 2017

This is most likely an aural hematoma, which is a blood blister in the ear. These can happen for various reasons and are sometimes associated with an ear infection. It's possible that it will go away on its own in the next 2-4 weeks, but there will be some scar tissue that builds-up under the skin. It's also possible that it will grow to fill the whole ear. If it grows and/or is not going down in the next 2-4 weeks, then it's best to take Abbey to the vet. These can get infected if left too long. The vet will be able to drain it and can do a procedure to keep it from swelling back up again (these often swell back up after they are drained). You can always have it checked by a vet just to be on the safe side. Since it doesn't seem to be causing a problem now, I think it's fine to wait and see if the problem resolves on its own. I hope that helps and this clears-up soon.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Tomasz Wnuk

    Veterinarian

    Published on July 1st, 2020

    Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. It looks like ear hematoma. The most common cause of this is trauma to the ear. Please, take Nova to your local vets as the hematoma has to be drained. Otherwise it will heal as a thickened, often floppy ear.

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    Answered By Kevin Sanada, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on August 13th, 2017

    Without seeing it, I can not be sure, but what you are describing seems like an aural hematoma. They often happen for unknown reasons and are essentially a blood-blister in the ear. These can sometimes go down on their own, but the ear will have permanent change and will feel thicker. If it gets bigger or does not go down in two weeks, then she will need to see a vet. The vet can drain the fluid and tack it down, so it doesn't fill up again. These can be difficult to deal with, so don't be surprised if it takes a few weeks and a couple of visits with the vet before it resolves. If it is a small (1-2cm) bubble, then it may be a cyst. These would also need to be evaluated by the vet and likely drained to prevent infection.

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