05/27/2026
🔍 What causes it?
-Usually due to trauma from head shaking or scratching
Common underlying triggers:
-Ear infections (otitis)
-Ear mites (especially in cats)
-Allergies
-Foreign bodies (grass seeds, debris)
🧠 How it develops
-Repeated shaking or scratching damages small blood vessels
-Blood accumulates between layers of the ear
-The ear becomes swollen and “pillow-like”
🐶🐱 Signs
-Swollen, soft, fluctuant ear flap
-Warmth and redness
-Pain or discomfort
-Head shaking, ear scratching
-Ear may droop
⚠️ Why it matters
If untreated:
The blood can clot and scar
Leads to a “cauliflower ear” (permanent deformity)
💉 Treatment
-Depends on severity, but commonly:
-Drainage (needle aspiration or incision)
-Surgical correction (most effective to prevent recurrence)
Treat the underlying cause (e.g., infection, mites)
Pain relief and anti-inflammatory meds
🩺 Key point
Simply draining without addressing the underlying issue → high chance of recurrence.