MVSc

The study was carried out in twelve selected clinical cases of aural
haematoma in dogs of different breeds of either sex presented to the College
Veterinary Hospitals at Mannuthy and Kokkalai. The animals were divided into
two groups viz., Group I and Group II, each consisting of six animals.
In Group I, surgical drainage was carried out and the dead space was
obliterated by applying a series of through and through (full thickness)
interrupted mattness suture. In Group Il, surgical drainage was carried out and
the dead space was obliterated by applying a series of partial thickness
interrupted mattress suture.
In Group I, the dogs were aged three to eight years and the duration of
illness varied from three to fourteen days. Shaking of the head, scratching and
drooping of the affected pinna were observed in all the dogs, except scratching in
one dog. Length of the ear and haematoma varied from 7.4 cm to 13.7 cm and
7 cm to 12 cm respectively. Width of ear and haematoma varied from 4.7 cm to
9.2 cm and 3.6 cm to 7.4 cm respectively. Thickness of haematoma varied from
2.1 cm to 5.5 cm. The physiological parameters like rectal temperature, pulse
rate and respiratory rate was found to be within normal range. The
haematological values such as, packed cell volume, total erythrocyte count,
haemoglobin concentration, total leucocyte count and differential leucocyte count
were also within normal physiological range. Post-operatively self mutilation of
wound, scratching and shaking of the head were reported in a few animals and
carriage of affected ear was drooped in all the animals. There was no
accumulation of blood or exudates in any of the animals. Most of the animals
retained bandage. Photographs of the affected ear was taken before surgery,
immediately after operation and thereafter on third, sixth, ninth and thirtieth day
and were observed for evaluating the post-operative cosmetic appearance of the


pmna. Puckering of the affected pinna was noticed in four dogs by the ninth day
and it was marked in all the dogs by one month.
In Group II, the dogs were aged three to six years and the duration of
illness varied from two to 14 days. Shaking of the head, scratching and drooping
of pinna were observed in all the dogs. Length of the ear and haematoma varied
from 6.8 cm to 12.3 cm and 5.9 cm to 11.2 cm respectively. Width of ear and
haematoma varied from 4.5 cm to 7.3 cm and 2.9 cm to 6.5 cm respectively.
Thickness of haematoma varied from 1.2 cm to 2.9 cm. The physiological
parameters like rectal temperature, pulse rate and respiratory rate was found to be
within the normal range. The haematological values such as packed cell volume,
total erythrocyte count, haemoglobin concentration, total leucocyte count and
differential leucocyte count were also within the normal physiological range.
Post-operatively shaking of the head, scratching and self mutilation of wound
were reported in a few animals and carriage of affected ear was drooped in all the
animals. There was no accumulation of blood or exudates in any of the animals.
Most of the animals did not retain bandage. Photographs of the affected ear was
taken before surgery, immediately after operation and thereafter on third, sixth,
ninth and thirtieth day and were observed for evaluating the post-operative
cosmetic appearance of the pinna. After one month of examination of the ear,
which was affected with haematoma, revealed perfect healing without any
puckering or distortion of pinna.
Histopathological examination of the collected specimen from the
affected ears revealed irregular separation of the perichondrium, necrosis of the
perichondrial connective tissue, diffuse inflammatory cell infiltration in the
damaged perichondrial zone along with subchondral accumulation of blood cells.
The cartilage appeared distorted and showed loss of chondrocytes at certain areas.