An aural haematoma is an uncomfortable ear condition in dogs: there is now a new methodology to treat it gently and entirely naturally.
A dip in a mountain stream, a refreshing swim in the sea, or a home shower in the garden. All things our canine friend thoroughly enjoys, but which can sometimes expose them to the risk of a bothersome, and painful, typically summer condition: the aural haematoma.
"An aural haematoma is a collection of blood within the cartilaginous layer of the ear flap, which frequently affects dogs and more rarely cats. The fracture of the cartilage and the rupture of the blood vessel within it cause a significant quantity of blood to escape and collect inside what is known as the pinna, forming a haematoma visible as a kind of cushion on the inside of the ear," explains Dr Michela Galgano, veterinary surgeon.
The causes can be many: from middle and outer ear infections to ear trauma, or even excessive head-shaking to get rid of water after a swim or a bath. Aural haematomas can affect virtually any type of dog, so it is not a condition found particularly in certain breeds over others. However, if our four-legged friend suffers or has frequently suffered from ear infections, the problem can recur more often, especially, as mentioned, in certain conditions and if the underlying condition has not been properly treated or resolved.
The symptoms of an aural haematoma are not difficult to identify: typically the dog presents a swelling in the ear, sometimes localised, other times extending across the entire ear flap. The ear also feels warm, although an aural haematoma often does not cause the animal excessive pain. If a change in the shape of your four-legged friend's ear is noticed, it is therefore advisable to consult your vet straight away for an examination that will, first and foremost, identify the cause of the aural haematoma, whether that be a neglected ear infection, trauma, or something else.
Treatment of an aural haematoma is often surgical and involves an invasive and painful approach for the animal. "The post-operative period," continues Dr Galgano, "following an operation of this kind is lengthy and involves complicated management for the owner (dressings, antibiotics to administer, specific medications, compression bandaging). All of which causes stress for both the animal and their human companion. It is precisely for this reason that the Ambulatorio Risorgimento in Milan has developed an innovative technique for treating aural haematomas using platelet rich plasma (PRP)."
The technique requires no form of anaesthesia, nor any subsequent complex dressings, and full recovery takes place in approximately a fortnight. "The technique," the vet further explains, "involves an autologous preparation of concentrated platelets isolated from a venous blood sample taken from the small patient. The sample is then subjected to a standardised centrifugation process. It is subsequently enriched with a specific activator and then injected directly into the animal's ear pinna."
The animal will feel absolutely no discomfort throughout the entire procedure and there will be no side effects. Michela Galgano continues: "There are several scientific studies demonstrating that a platelet-rich preparation applied to wounds, lesions, and post-surgical sites represents a safe and effective way to promote tissue healing: this capacity appears to be due to the various growth factors contained in the PRP, which play a fundamental role in the proliferation of the cells that will rebuild the damaged tissue."
The technique is currently used in human medicine across several fields, including orthopaedics and dermatology. The veterinary application carried out at the Ambulatorio Risorgimento in Milan was presented at the International Congress of Human Dermatology held in the Lombard capital in 2013.