Aural Haematoma help

[Needanewadventure2021]

Firstly I have been through this 3 years ago with my Frenchie who had a very nasty one that never reacted to treatment until he ended up in surgery with a purple, ready to explode ear (after months of failed draining and minor surgeries)

Unfortunately he has a new one in his good ear, but thankfully it is filling slowly, no skin colour change and doesn't seem to be causing him any pain. He allows me to touch it and he even sleeps on it. He is still playful and eating and sleeping well. I have also read that they do eventually self heal but the ear crumples (doesn't bother me, his already got one that's collapsed). For all these reasons I am reluctant to put him through the trauma of multiple vets visits and surgery if I can assist it naturally healing at home.

Please be kind. He is showing now signs of pain. If he was it would be a no brainer, he would be taken to the Vets but having been through it all before with a much nastier one I'd like to try and help it heal naturally at home.

Does anyone have any tips?

TIA x

Aural haematoma is a symptom so the underlying problem needs treating. This could be an ear infection, a foreign body in the ear or allergies.

I agree (vet). You need the ear canal checking for anything which may have caused head shaking. You can still opt not to have the haematoma drained. I tend to just prescribe a short course of steroids to relieve any irritation which may contribute to head shaking. I only drain them as a last resort.

The head shaking has started this morning. I have spoken to his Vet and they have said they can't treat him unless I pay upfront as they don't offer payment plans. I dont get paid until next week

I guess you’ll just have to wait then. It’s fair enough that your vet asks for payment at the time of receiving the service. It’s only veterinary services where people seem to expect to be able to receive a service and then pay whenever is convenient for them. No-one would ask to do this at the supermarket, the optician, the childminder, etc.

But I havent refused to pay. But if I don't have the money then what am I meant to do. I've offered something and the rest next week. I am on a low sole income and have a child to feed. I cant help how impossible life is becoming. If it wasn't for his head shaking today I'd had left him hopefully until I get paid. I wouldnt mind if I spend money stupidly. My income covers our living. No luxuries. And now I feel crap that I can't afford to get my dog treated

3 local vets have quoted me 1000 for treatment without even seeing him. How can this be? His last operation was only 263. 1000 is my entire months salary

It sounds as though they are quoting you for a full GA, drain haematoma and insert a drain for a few days to prevent it refilling.

Why don't you book a consultation and request they apply local anaesthetic spray, then drain with a needle and syringe (explaining your financial concerns). His ears can be checked with the scope and he can probably be put on a short course of steroid tablets (cheap) to relieve irritation and prevent further head shaking. There is a risk of it refilling.

Of course if he is v wriggly or aggressive, these things may not be possible anyway without GA or sedation. Most vets will try to come up with a plan B if you have to reject plan A due to finances.

On a separate note: I would def recommend insuring him. It won't cover any pre-existing conditions such as his ear problems, but at least any new conditions will be covered.

Thank you for your advise. He is now under the PDSA and they are seeing what the best way to assist is.

He was always insured until he turned 6. His premium shot up to over 2000 and I was told it was due to his age and breed. Upon getting comparisons it seemed this was. My dog has so many medical exclusions on his history most things I have needed it for aren't covered anyway. His last haematoma was covered by insurance but I paid less that £250 for his GA and surgery so to he given prices of £1000 has made me feel sick. His last vet was a breed specialist too. In fact his treatment over the course of 4 months including several failed drains, a minor surgery and then his GA surgery was all under 1000. I got the paperwork out the other day. I thought I paid 263, I actually paid 247 for the surgery I'm being quoted on

Unfortunately, French Bulldogs are such a terrible example of overbreeding leading to serious health problems, they will always be expensive to insure. It doesn’t help you now, but I would strongly advise against anyone buying one unless they can afford to fully insure them for their whole lives

I’m glad the PDSA are able to help out this time.

Understandable comments @BilboTheBurglar but my circumstances are not due to me being irresponsible and wanting a designer dog. I became a dog owner when I could afford a dog and earned well. A child, a messy break up and being left with a considerable amount of debt my ex ran up in my name, my life changed dramatically you could say. I also was made redundant and my job now is low paid. I could not rehome a dog that never once betrayed me or left my side when my life fell apart. His poor breeding and health issues are not his fault. We are his family and I've never given up on him.

Sorry, I don't mean to criticise you personally. It was more a comment to a wider audience.

At the moment it seems I am constantly seeing puppies which have cost their owners £4-6000, for their 1st or 2nd vaccinations, but when I recommend insurance, the owners say they can't afford it.

Just feels a bit depressing, but I appreciate that isn't your circumstance and apologise if it came across as critical of you personally.

I hope your dog's ears are easily sorted. If your vet finds any evidence of infection/inflammation in the ear canals, ask them about whether weekly or twice-weekly ear cleaner is likely to be helpful as a long term preventative measure in the future.

Sorry if I snapped. I can understand that would be extremely annoying. My dog was always insured from when I took him on but even then he had pre existing conditions. It was only when his history was full of conditions I had to make the difficult decision to not.

I will get him sorted. He is still very settled. Nothing like out experience with his last one so hopefully the PDSA can help. If it was a case of paying a similar price to what I did then ok I'd be able to borrow it. But 1000 is a huge increase