anser2 Posted April 8, 2008 Report Share Posted April 8, 2008 (edited) I have just got back from the vets with the usual mighty bill and a delemer. My golden retriever has developed a blood clot in her ear caused by a burst blood vessel when retrieving last week. The vet has said it needs an painful operation to remove in a few weeks time and that’s going to cost a bomb. She is 12 and there are always risks with the anaesthetic with old dogs. However the vet then went on to say it will disappear in time and though there is a slight risk of an ear infection it should cause the dog no long term effects . She is in no pain and does not show any discomfort when the ear is handled. I am undecided as what to do, has anyone any experience of this problem ? Edited April 8, 2008 by anser2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new to the flock Posted April 8, 2008 Report Share Posted April 8, 2008 I have had this problem twice in the past. In the first case a GSP we drained the ear several times and it subsided, with a thickening of the ear. In the second the vets advised to leave it be and it eventially settled in and formed again a thickening of the ear...the term is leather ear.....with no adverse effects to the dog. I would go for a second opinion if you are not happy with what your vet has advised. I believe if you do a search on google you will come up with results and if you check out the I believe it is the Cornwall Veterinary College site an area where you can ask questions of the vets at the College. NTTF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted April 8, 2008 Report Share Posted April 8, 2008 thats an interesting opinion from the vet, If its an internal clot with no wound so to speak there really shouldn't be a chance of infection. As NTTF says might be worth a second opinion, if she was mine though i'd be inclined to leave it and keep an eye on it and her and at the first sign of infection she'd be on anti biotics. As you say at 12 she is getting on and i'd not want her going under anasthetic unless it was really necessary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted April 8, 2008 Report Share Posted April 8, 2008 no pain, no infection and no likelihood of additional problems - i would keep an eye on it but leave well alone, especially with the age your dog is. WGD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob300w Posted April 8, 2008 Report Share Posted April 8, 2008 no pain, no infection and no likelihood of additional problems - i would keep an eye on it but leave well alone, especially with the age your dog is. WGD Yep, I'm with you on this one, my spaniel is 12, and has a cyst on her side, it's a bump under the skin really, it causes her no pain or problems, it's not worth the risk of anesthetic to remove it at her age. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurcherboy Posted April 8, 2008 Report Share Posted April 8, 2008 My Lab had the same thing anser and his ear was held open with the blood build up in it. The Vets cost a small fortune for less than 5 minutes work and the ear filled again within days which they did warn me about. I treated this second one myself and used Thornit powder to clear the ear irritation that was the cause of his excessive head shaking. Hope this helps. LB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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