Bleeding in your dog's ears can cause concern for any pet parent, whether due to a minor irritation or a more serious issue. In this blog post, our emergency vets in Babcock Ranch discuss the causes of bleeding ears in dogs, the symptoms that may occur, and when to visit your vet.

My Dog's Ear is Bleeding

If you see blood coming from your dog's ear, you'll likely be concerned and perhaps alarmed, no matter the amount of blood. Because even a minor injury can cause significant bleeding, knowing how to stop dog ear bleeding and what to do next in this veterinary emergency is important.

Bleeding may have an incidental cause, such as a fight with another animal, having their ear nicked by a branch as they run through a bush, an accident at the groomer's, or a more serious health issue, such as infection or disease. The blood may also originate from internal bleeding or injury, resulting in puffy tissues containing pockets of fluid.

Why Your Dog's Ear Might Be Bleeding

Because dog ears are full of tiny blood vessels, their body pumps blood when your dog is hot. While this gives them a large surface area to cool down, a small cut can lead to much bleeding. Reasons for ear bleeding in dogs can vary, from trauma or blood blisters (aural hematomas) to diseases such as cancer or systemic issues. We'll explore a few of these reasons below:

Types & Causes of Ear Bleeding in Dogs

Types of bleeding in dog's ears are related to their underlying causes. Bleeding may be triggered by:

Also referred to as blood blisters, aural hematomas develop between the skin and cartilage of the ear flap. They often cause head shaking, swelling, scratching, and a tilt. If they burst, the hematoma may bleed profusely.
Not all growths or tumors are malignant. However, carcinomas, polyps, tumors, and growths sometimes develop in the ear canal or on the ears themselves.
You may notice dark, oozing, or crusty gunk start to build up. If any of these areas are damaged, they may bleed. If this is the case, book an appointment with your veterinarian immediately.
Infection in the inner or outer ear can originate from many sources, including allergic reactions, bacteria accumulation, and yeast infections.
While highly contagious ear mites are among the most common parasitic infections, these conditions can originate from many potential sources, including fleas, ticks, and flies. You may notice inflammation and parasitic otitis (an infection that causes inflammation of the outer ear canal, middle ear, or internal ear).
Ear bleeding may be self-inflicted from shaking, scratching excessively, or caused by an external source.

Systemic complications can also cause traumatic bleeding within the layers of the floppy part of the ear, leading to a hematoma. Your dog may also develop an infection of the inner ear, which can cause perforation of the eardrum and bleeding from the ear.

Symptoms of Bleeding in a Dog's Ear

While there are various reasons for ear bleeding in dogs, here are some symptoms you may notice in your pup:

Blood in the ear canal or its outer rim
Pain or tenderness when the ear is touched
Yellow-brown colored ear wax or black or brown-colored discharge
Reluctance or refusal to open mouth
Excessive scratching or head shaking
Swollen ear canal
Balance issues appearing as nausea or circling one area
Odors emanating from the ear canal
Swelling in the floppy part of the ear
Constant attention paid to one or both ears
Aversion to being a pet
Difficulty hearing you

How to Stop a Dog's Ear From Bleeding

If you notice blood coming from inside the ear canal, it's important to take your dog to the veterinarian immediately. Bleeding from the inner ear could be caused by various issues such as infection, a ruptured eardrum, or cancer, so it's best to have your dog diagnosed and treated by a veterinarian. However, if your dog's ear tip is bleeding, you can follow these steps:

1. Stay calm, and take your dog to a calm environment.

2. Gather a first aid kit. You'll need:

A bandage
Flour, cornstarch, or styptic powder (do not use baking powder, baking soda, or any other product, as these can cause infections)
Antiseptic ointment
Absorbent pads, such as gauze, clean towels, paper towels, or cotton balls

3. Apply the styptic powder or cornstarch to the wound to help with clotting. Press the absorbent material against both sides of the ear and apply pressure until the bleeding stops. This should take about five minutes. If the bleeding does not stop after 10 minutes, see a veterinarian.

4. Apply antiseptic ointment around the cut, but not on it, to avoid inadvertently triggering bleeding to begin again.

A bleeding ear qualifies as a veterinary emergency if:

Your dog was in a fight with another dog
The wound is deep
The bleeding spontaneously starts again

How to Bandage a Dog Ear Tip

To bandage an ear tip:

Apply clean gauze to the wound after folding the ear over the top of the head.
After grabbing a gauze roll bandage, roll the bandage down from the top of the head, under the chin, and back to the top of the head.
Check that the bandage is firm but not too tight. You should be able to fit three fingers between the bandage and the chin area.
Roll the bandage in front of the healthy ear, then behind it with each layer so that the good ear acts as an anchor to keep it in place.
Each time you bring the bandage over the head, move it so that it crosses slightly back to the back of the previous layer, then to the front. Soon, you'll have a small criss-cross pattern protecting the injured ear.
Using a marker, indicate where the ear is beneath the bandage.
You can use the last length if you don't have a clip to tie the bandage together.

You may need to try different first-aid bandages, sweatbands, bandannas, or light scarves to find a fabric your dog will tolerate having on its ear. Most dogs hate having anything around their heads and try to paw the bandage off.

Diagnosis of Bleeding Ears in Dogs

After your dog's ear has been bandaged due to bleeding, it's important to contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. Be ready to provide a detailed history of the situation. During the appointment, you will likely be asked about the signs, severity, and duration of the bleeding, as well as your dog's diet and any recent diet changes. Your veterinarian may also inquire about the frequency of your dog's ear trimming and cleaning, your pet's environment, exercise habits, and more.

Once the veterinarian has conducted a physical examination, they may order a CBC (complete blood count) to check for potential infections or parasite problems. Our in-house lab may also collect and analyze urine, fecal, and other tissue samples.

How to Treat Bleeding Dog Ears

When your veterinarian has gathered the findings of the physical exam, clinical testing, the history of the incident, and any of your dog's relevant medical history, they will create a treatment plan to address the cause of the problem with your dog's ears. Treatment plan options may include:

Antibiotic or topical medications for any infections (to be administered at home)
Steroid medications to help reduce inflammation and encourage healing
If a hematoma has caused the bleeding, various surgical drainage and repair methods may be prescribed to stop the bleeding and promote healing.
If foreign bodies, a buildup of ear wax, or parasites are found during an examination, your vet will remove them and clean and flush the ear canal. Sedation or anesthesia may be required.
Pain medication (if applicable) to help your pet feel more comfortable

Recovery of Bleeding Ears in Dogs

Provided you can detect bleeding in your dog's ear and get them to the veterinarian promptly so they can be diagnosed and treated, the prognosis for most causes of bleeding ears in dogs is good. Recovery time will depend on the cause of the bleeding and your dog's treatment.

If the underlying cause turns out to be an injury, disease, or allergy, ongoing treatment may be needed to address the condition. It's also important to understand that ear infections or bleeding in dogs, similar to humans, can be damaging if frequent or chronic. In these cases, your veterinarian will likely recommend lifestyle or environmental changes to reduce the risk of repeat bleeding episodes and to protect your dog's hearing and overall health.

When is it an Emergency?

While a vet should see all instances of ear bleeding in dogs, certain situations may require emergency veterinary care, such as:

Bleeding that does not stop after 10 minutes
Other signs that your dog may need emergency care include infection symptoms or other ongoing or worsening symptoms.

Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.

Dog Ear Bleeding: Causes & Treatment