By: Kirsty Richards DipHomNZ
If you’ve ever dealt with an aural hematoma in your dog, you know the struggle. One day, your pup is happily flopping their ears around, and the next, they’ve got a swollen, squishy ear that looks like a balloon.
It can be quite confronting to see this, if you’ve never come across it before. While they look a bit scary, Aural hematomas are quite common. Aural hematomas happen when blood pools between the layers of the ear flap, often due to head shaking, ear infections, or allergies.
While vets often recommend draining the fluid or even surgery, Homeopathy offers a gentle, natural approach to help your dog heal. Here are five of the top homeopathic remedies that might just do the trick!
Using Homeopathy to treat Aural Hematoma in dogs:
1. Arnica Montana – The Go-To for Bruising
Arnica is a must-have for any kind of trauma, bruising, or swelling. Since aural hematomas often develop after repeated head shaking or scratching, Arnica can help reduce pain, inflammation, and reabsorb the blood naturally. It’s especially helpful in the early stages when the ear is fresh and swollen.
How to use: Give Arnica 30C, two to three times daily, and monitor for improvement. If the swelling starts going down, you can reduce the frequency.
2. Hamamelis (Witch Hazel) – The Vein Strengthener
Hamamelis is amazing for conditions involving blood pooling and weak blood vessels. It helps reduce the size of the hematoma and strengthens capillaries, preventing further bleeding. If your dog’s ear looks dark red or purple and feels warm, this might be the right remedy.
How to use: Try Hamamelis 30C once or twice daily and adjust as needed.
3. Ledum Palustre – For Puncture Wounds and Inflammation
If your dog has an ear hematoma due to an insect bite, a small wound, or repeated trauma from scratching, Ledum can help. It’s great for reducing swelling, preventing infection, and promoting reabsorption of the fluid.
How to use: Ledum 30C once or twice daily should be enough to see results.
4. Belladonna – For Hot, Red, Inflamed Ears
If your dog’s ear is hot to the touch, bright red, and painful, Belladonna is your best bet. This remedy works well for acute inflammation and can bring down the swelling fast. Dogs needing Belladonna might also be restless and sensitive to touch.
How to use: Start with Belladonna 30C up to three times a day and reduce as symptoms improve.
5. Calcarea Fluorica – The Tissue Strengthener
For chronic cases or dogs prone to recurring hematomas, Calcarea Fluorica helps improve elasticity and resilience of the tissues. It strengthens blood vessels and supports long-term healing. This is a great remedy for older dogs or those with weak connective tissues.
How to use: Give Calcarea Fluorica 6X or 12X twice daily for a few weeks to support recovery.
I always recommend pet owners have a designated Homeopathic Pet Remedy Kit.
You never know when an emergency strikes, and you need to treat it there and then. I highly recommend the Helios Pet Homeopathy Remedy Kit - currently on sale!
Final Thoughts
Homeopathy can be a game-changer when dealing with aural hematomas but always keep an eye on your pup’s progress. Even with the right remedies, it can still take a few weeks for the swelling and inflammation to go down. In addition to using Homeopathy, I also recommend gently holding an ice pack to the ear, 2-3x a day for the first week or two. It helps with any discomfort and reduces swelling. If the hematoma is large, causing pain, or not improving, consult your vet for additional support. And of course, addressing underlying issues like allergies or ear infections is key to preventing future hematomas.
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