Hi Linda, Looks like everyone has had lots of good suggestions for this. Mine isn't quite so sophisticated, but here it is. My husband and I are now watching the BBC "All Creatures Great and Small" DVDs. A dog has an ear hematoma in one episode and James drains it and sews a button on it to maintain pressure. You probably don't want to ask for a button, but I guess my point is that if a large animal vet way back then took the time to try to prevent a cauliflower ear, hopefully your modern vet should be open to trying to prevent it now (without surgery).
Good luck, Beth Original message: Hi - I have a feline leukemia positive, partially paralyzed cat (Boo) who suffers from pressure sores on his bum. He's been on antibiotics on & off for years due to his paralysis induced pressure sores. Two weeks ago his health declined when he developed a severe liver infection and jaundice. Since then, with the addition of 2 antibiotics & other meds, his health has improved and the jaundice is greatly reduced. Unfortunately Boo has also developed an ear hematoma. My vet has drained it with a syringe, but it has filled back up with fluid, as she said it would. My vet is telling me that the only way to completely fix the hematoma is with surgery. Since his health is not great I'm concerned about doing this. But his ear is not getting better, and, although my vet has told me that the hematoma won't effect his overall health, he will develop a califlower ear and have issues with cleaning the ear, if it's not corrected. Has anyone had any experience with a hematoma? Is there any way to correct the problem without putting Boo under anesthesia? Thanks, Linda
