My dog's ear is bleeding. Why?
Picture this: your furry friend comes bounding over with a big stick in their mouth, but then you notice blood coming from their ear. It might be scary, but here’s the good news – bleeding ears aren’t all that uncommon in dogs, and often, it’s not as serious as it seems.
What you might notice is blood either coming from inside your dog’s ear or, in some cases, puffiness around the ear. These puffy spots are actually pockets of fluid from an internal injury that caused bleeding between the layers of tissue in the ear. This condition is more common in dogs with floppy ears.
There are a few things that can cause ear bleeding in dogs, ranging from trauma or blood blisters (called aural hematomas), to more serious issues like cancer or systemic diseases.
While some causes are less concerning than others, it’s always better to play it safe. If you notice blood, it’s a good idea to get your dog checked by a vet as soon as possible. Let’s take a closer look at the issue and find out how to treat it, with Wag!
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Symptoms of bleeding ears in dogs
So, what are the symptoms you should be aware of if your dog’s ear is bleeding? Here are some of the tell-tale signs:
- Noticeable blood in the ear canal or its outer rim (this is the most obvious one)
- Your dog’s scratching excessively or shaking its head a lot
- Pain or tenderness when you touch its ear
- Discharges, that can be like yellow-brown colored ear wax, or black or brown colored discharge that looks like shoe polish
- Smells coming from the dog’s ear canal
- A swollen ear canal and swelling in the floppy part of the ear
- Problems with balance
- Your dog not wanting to open its mouth
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What are the main causes for a dog’s ear bleeding?
The main causes of blood in your dog’s ears typically fall into four categories:
Trauma
This could happen if your dog shakes its head too vigorously or if it picks up a wound after some kind of blow to the ear. It’s usually the result of a physical injury.
Otitis externa, or an infection in the external ear canal, is one of the most common infections in dogs. You might notice your dog scratching its ear or face, head shaking, and ear rubbing. Discharge (which can be from various sources) may also show up in either the outer or inner ear. Both bacterial and fungal infections can cause itching, which leads to excessive scratching.
Ear mites are the usual culprits here. These tiny parasites live in your dog’s ear canals and can cause extreme itching, pain, and abnormal discharge. Cancer and other lesions
Tumors can form inside or outside of your dog’s ear. Though we don’t know exactly what causes ear canal tumors, long-term ear canal inflammation might contribute to the growth of abnormal tissue that eventually forms a tumor. Symptoms can include ear discharge (which may be waxy, pus-filled, or bloody), a foul odor, head shaking, ear scratching, swelling around the ear, and even deafness.
If you notice any of these signs, it’s best to have your dog checked out by a vet to get a proper diagnosis.
How vets diagnose bleeding ears in dogs
If you’re wondering why your dog’s ear is bleeding, the best advice is: don’t try to figure it out on your own. Since ear bleeding in dogs can be caused by so many different things, it’s always better to contact a vet as soon as possible.
Your vet will know exactly how to treat the bleeding, but it’ll really help them if you provide as much detail as possible about your dog’s current condition and medical history.
The vet will ask for information about the signs you’ve noticed, how severe the issue is, and how long it’s been going on. They'll also want to know about any recent changes in your dog’s diet, grooming habits (like ear trimming), and living conditions.
It’s also useful for the vet to know if your dog has any known allergies, what medications they’re on, if any, and the reasons behind those prescriptions.
Plus, if you can share details about your dog’s exercise routine and where it takes place, it’ll help the vet get a full picture of what might be going on. Your vet will probably look at doing these tests:
Vet lab tests
If your dog’s ears are bleeding, the first thing your vet will want to do is perform a complete physical examination.
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
First up, your vet will perform a full physical examination and may also order a CBC. This helps them get an idea of your dog’s normal blood component values, and helps them work out the possibility of an infection or parasitic issues.
Samples
Your vet may collect urine, fecal and other tissue samples for laboratory testing as this may help in ruling out certain causes if they can’t establish an obvious cause for the problemTreatment of bleeding ears in dogs
Once your vet’s reviewed your dog’s physical exam, medical history, and clinical test results, they’ll create a treatment plan that’s tailored to the cause of the bleeding in your dog’s ear.
Treatment options might include:
Topical and/or oral antibiotic medications
If the bleeding’s being caused by an infection, your vet may prescribe antibiotics to be given at home. These will help clear up any bacterial infection.Pain killers
These are medications to help ease the pain and make your pet more comfortable.Steroidal medications
These meds can help reduce inflammation which will help with the healing process.Drainage
For a hematoma (a collection of blood), your vet might recommend draining the fluid and repairing your pooch’s ear. This might involve surgery or other methods to stop the bleeding and help the ear heal properly.Flushing method
If the vet finds ear wax buildup, parasites, or foreign objects during their examination, they’ll clean and flush the ear canal to remove the issue. Depending on the severity, this may require sedation or anesthesia to ensure your dog stays comfortable during the procedure.With these treatments, your vet will work to address the cause of the bleeding and help your dog recover as smoothly as possible.
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The recovery process
As is often the case, the sooner you seek professional help when you notice your dog’s ears are bleeding, the better the chances of a full and speedy recovery for your furry friend.
If the bleeding is due to allergies or an underlying systemic disease, ongoing treatment may be necessary to manage the condition.
In the case of a chronic issue, your vet may suggest environmental or lifestyle changes that can reduce the chances of it happening again.
These changes will also help protect your dog’s hearing and overall health, ensuring they stay happy and comfortable in the long run.
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Bleeding Ears Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Cane Corso
Nine Years
40 found this helpful
40 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Blood In Ears When Cleaning
Blood in ears when cleaning
Sept. 27, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
40 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. .
Dogs can develop ear infections due to parasites, bacterial or fungal infections, and they need specific medications to help heal the problem. It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and help get treatment if it is appropriate.
Oct. 13, 2020
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Bloodhound
Four Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Red Itchy Ears
Ears are red
Sept. 25, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay, this venue is not set up for urgent emails.
Dogs can get ear infections that need specific medication to treat. It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get any testing or treatment taken care of that might be needed.
Oct. 22, 2020
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German Shepherd
Thirteen Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Bleeding In Ear
I noticed her bending her head so I checked her ear and its full of dried blood and uncomfortable to her
Sept. 21, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
Dogs can get ear infections due to bacteria, yeast, or parasites. Each of those requires specific treatment, and infections can become quite painful, quite quickly. Since this certainly seems to be bothering her, it would be best to have her seen by a veterinarian, as they can see what the cause of the problem might be and get the right medication for her so that she feels better soon.
I hope that all goes well for her!
Sept. 21, 2020
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Pit Bull
1 week 6 days
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Lil Blood From Ear
For 2 day there was big hard swelling spot under puppies ear she eating normal and just now ear start to bleeding will she be ok is it infection I gave her cream and goodness natural pet antibiotics trying not to do vet bill right now if i can frist pic is two days ago last pic is now i just hurting and mom just run me 3 surgery and 6 trips and 5 000 last week
Aug. 6, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
Unfortunately, I cannot tell from the pictures what might be going on, and I would be concerned that an infection in such a young pup would lead to sepsis. It would be best to have the pup seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible, as they will be able to examine the pup and see what might be needed. I would not expect it to be an extensive problem, and is probably easily solved.
I hope that all goes well for your pup!
Aug. 6, 2020
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Labrador Retriever
Five Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Blood And Pus In Ear And Also Blood Filled Blisters In Other Areas Of Body
We are currently in the middle of moving and noticed one of our labs ears has pus that is green and tinged with blood. She also has these spots that look like blisters on her lower jaw and legs that just seep blood. This is new. What could be going on?
Aug. 5, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. That sounds quite serious, and your dog sounds sick. It may be a fungal or bacterial infection, or a parasite, but either way, it would be best to have her seen by a veterinarian right away so that she can get treatment. They will be able to examine her and see what might be going on, and get any medications that she may need.
I hope that she is okay.
Aug. 5, 2020
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Miniature Pinscher
Bandit
11 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Scratching
My puppy Bandit has bad ear scratching and hair loss on his ears. I took him to the vets and he was diagnosed with Mange. The vet prescribed a topical once a month squeeze on to clear the Mange and prevent it. His ears started clearing and looking better at first, but now he is constantly itching again and reopening his scabs. How can he heal if he won’t stop scratching?
