[ SHOWGSD-L ] Hematoma help and vestibular vs. brain tumor
- From: Katie Halfen <kthalfen@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: gsd list <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 19:00:36 -0500
A hematoma in a dog is usually treated the same way as a person-we do an
elliptical incision as well to create drainage, and then due to anatomy
differences in people and dogs, we have to suture through the ear to close the
dead space (basically the area filled with blood). If the dead space is
drained alone with a needle, it usually refills again shortly. I have had some
response in dogs that have less than half of their ear full of blood, to just
medical management, without doing surgery. This involves draining the ear,
injecting the dead space with steroids to thin the blood, placing a pressure
cone bandage on the ear to keep the dead space closed and then continuing oral
prednisone to keep the blood thin and allow the hematoma to heal. This works
in some dogs, if the dog shakes its head a lot or has a severe ear infection,
usually the hematoma reforms and surgery is the only option. The alternative
to both is let the ear heal on its own and you get an ugly scarred and deformed
ear that looks like a wrester's ear in people. If he is not on any predinisone
or other steroid or anti-inflammatory (NSAID), such as Rimadyl, etc. you can
give a regular strength buffered aspirin twice a day with food for pain. Don't
give with any other NSAID or steroid, or you will cause gastrointestinal bleeds
(ulcers). Vestibular disease vs. a Brain Tumor Vestibular disease is easy to
diagnose as it has a classical head tilt, wobbly/uncoordinated gait, and the
eye twitching previously described called nystagmus. There can also be nausea
and inappetance as well. The treatment is supportive care, managing the nausea
and basic nursing care to allow the dog to recover, which as others have said
takes 2-6 weeks. Brain tumors usually start with mild symptoms of the dog
seeming disoriented, mild focal seizures, intention tremors, and inappetance.
The disease can progress in a variety of ways depending on the tumor location
including gait changes, head tilts, nerve paralysis in the face and jaw,
difficulty swallowing, inability to move limbs normally (ie. getting stuck in a
corner or closet and not being able to get back out via backing up), petite to
grand mal seizures, personality changes including aggressive behavior, loss of
bladder or bowel control, head pressing (head pushing against the wall-this is
caused by the increase in pressure around the brain), etc. The only way to
diagnose a brain tumor premortem (ie. not with a necropsy) is to do a MRI or CT
scan. The MRI gives better imaging and detail, but either works. Good luck to
both dogs.
Katie Halfen DVM
Casamoko Shepherds
www.casamoko.com
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Msg: #7 in digest
> Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 14:43:30 -0500
> Subject: Help with a hematoma
> From: Jackie Short-Nguyen <marcatoshepherds@xxxxxxxxx>
>
> My seven year old male has a hematoma. I'm very concerned about it, as it
> has returned for the fourth time (aspirated three times prior). Before
> this incident, he did NOT have a history of them.
> He has an appointment Monday to have a drain inserted to the ear, but I am
> very concerned about the size and feel of the hematoma presently, and am
> worried about him being in pain.
>
> He has been on antibiotics since this whole thing started. Last
> aspiration, the vet said the fluid looked good (no signs of infection).
>
> Is there anything I can do for my boy to give him some relief for Monday?
> I'm so worried. I know this may not be a terribly big deal, I'm just
> stressed out and concerned about his current state.
>
> --
> Jackie & Jonathan Nguyen Marcato German
> Shepherds<http://www.marcatogermanshepherds.com>
> S Konzert vom Drachenberg, CD, RN, CGC, SD "Strauss"
> Devine's Gunpowder N Lead RN "Mirada"
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