Hematoma in the ears

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

I'm wondering if anyone has experience with an aural hematoma (blood pooling in the ear flap). They say it's caused by excessive shaking of the head, usually because of an infection. My friend's doodle, Hank, got shaved down almost right to the skin by the groomer at pet smart yesterday afternoon. He was with me this week-end I can attest that the shaving job was over the top and unnecessary. He was matted but not so bad to warrant such a brutal shaving... anyway, I digress... I guess he hated his new look and couldn't get used to the way his ears felts and so he shook so much he got a hematoma. My friend is in the waiting room right now at the emergency clinic because he won't stop shaking his head.

I saw a video online about how vets used to treat with surgery but the recovery is brutal so now they try not to do that. My friend on the other hand read that surgery is necessary. I'm sure the clinic will insist on the most expensive option but I've encouraged her to press them for non-surgical options as well.

If anyone has experience or advice on this condition please chime in. I searched the website and didn't find much so I figure it'll be good to get the information about this condition on here...

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Sheri, your gynecologist doesn't know how to do orthopedic surgery, and she's a specialist, lol. General practice vets can't know everything about all aspects of small animal health. The scary part to me is that they don't admit they don't know, they guess.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Plus the cuts from the groomer's crappy job would be a clue, lol.

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

This just makes me so mad. Make sure your friend goes talk to the "groomer". That's just unacceptable!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I have a feeling your friend's dog is going to need meds for an ear infection within the next few days. :((((

I hope I'm wrong.

[Bonnie and Kona]

I am so sorry to hear this awful story. I hope your friend's dog recovers from this nightmare grooming and his mom is able to voice her complaint to PetSmart. Awful!

[Christine & Camus]

I'm sorry to hear about your friend's dog.  I don't know anything about hematoma's in the ear, however I think your friend should speak with the manager and demand a refund for the botched grooming.  And, if need be write to corporate headquarters. 

[Lynn D.]

I had taken my dog to Petsmart to get a bath and brush. He hadn't been anywhere odd or new before or after the grooming. Anyway, he ended up with ear mites and an infection. I asked the store to pay for the vet bill in full and they did. I did have to suggest that I wouldn't have a problem calling their corporate. The groomers and the "manager" of grooming said they had never had a case of ear mites there before. I can't imagine that was true though.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

I am so sorry Hank is so miserable! Poor baby!!! I hope he feels better quick! Hank's Mom should definitely contact the manager and then the district manager if she doesn't get satisfaction. 

I can only speak of the PetSmart here. I was there getting a new gentle lead harness that a foster chewed through. I saw a mini black poodle being groomed in a puppy cut which is exactly how I want Charli to be look. I went in to speak with her and now my 3 doodles as well as Jacquie and Jeannie's get groomed there.  The manager runs a tight ship. I will say Samantha's rear end is a little too short for my liking but no where near her skin. I just like a little more feathering on her hind end. I also have an understanding with the manager - I bring them in at any time she has 4 hours open, no other dogs on their schedules, no crating with the blow dryer shoved on them - they are hand blown dry, I get a call 20 minutes before they are done and they are tethered in the front room if they happen to be ready before I get there - no cage for my doodles. If I had a complaint it would be that they are not short enough where they should be. That I can live with!