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If your dog has ever suffered a cut on its ear, you probably know how challenging it can be to stop the bleeding. Even if you apply pressure with a cloth to slow the blood flow, once you remove the cloth, your dog will shake its head due to irritation, and your efforts will be in vain. With a little research, you'll be able to properly stop the bleeding and prevent the wound from worsening.
Steps
Stop the Dog's Ear Bleeding
Stay calm. The ear contains many blood vessels, so when it is injured, the bleeding can be persistent. However, don't panic. For healthy dogs, the bleeding won't be excessive. Additionally, a dog’s mood is influenced by the emotions of the person around it. If you are angry or frightened, the dog will become agitated. Excitement will increase blood pressure, leading to more bleeding.
Move the dog to a quiet area. You need to take the dog away from noisy environments caused by people or other agitated dogs. Prepare a few treatment options and keep the dog sitting or lying down so you can tend to the wound.
Apply pressure to the wound. Use a clean, dry paper towel, washcloth, sterile gauze, or any clean fabric to press directly onto the cut. Hold it in place for 5 minutes.
- After about two minutes, gently lift the cloth or fabric to check if the bleeding has slowed down.
- After 5 minutes, the bleeding should significantly slow down or stop completely.
Apply a clotting solution. If you have a clotting solution (available at pet stores or veterinary pharmacies), pour a small amount into your palm. Using a clean finger, gently apply the solution to the wound. Repeat until the bleeding stops completely.
- If you don’t have a clotting solution, you can use cornstarch, flour, or baby powder.
- Do not use baking soda or baking powder as these can lead to infection of the cut.
Clean the injured area. You can use diluted hydrogen peroxide to remove dried blood from the dog’s ear. However, do not apply this solution or any other substance directly to the wound. This could disrupt the clot and cause bleeding to resume.
Contact a veterinarian. While most minor cuts can be treated at home, there are situations where you should take the dog to the vet for further treatment. In these cases, continue applying pressure to the wound while transporting the dog to the clinic. The ear may need stitching or other interventions to stop the bleeding and ensure proper healing. Seek veterinary help if:
- The bleeding is excessive
- The wound has penetrated the ear
- The bleeding doesn’t stop after thirty minutes of home treatment
- The bleeding stops but then starts again
- The wound is larger than a normal cut
Prevent the dog from reopening the wound
Keep the dog in a calm environment. Keep your dog in a quiet space where it can rest and you can monitor it. Make sure the dog refrains from activities such as running or playing.
Avoid letting the dog shake its head or scratch its ears. If the dog shakes its head or scratches its ear, it may reopen the wound and cause it to bleed.
- Another risk from vigorous head shaking or scratching the ear is that it can cause bruising between the ear layers. This happens when blood vessels beneath the skin and cartilage rupture. The dog’s ear will swell like a cushion and require a vet’s attention for treatment.
Use an Elizabethan collar (cone) for two to three days. To minimize complications, you can place an Elizabethan collar on the dog for two or three days. This device will prevent the dog from reaching its ear with its paws.
Clean the ear. You can help prevent the dog from shaking its head by carefully cleaning the ear and ear canal. Remove any irritants or debris from inside the ear or the canal.
Bandage the dog's head. This option is particularly useful if the dog keeps rubbing its ear. You’ll need to ‘sacrifice’ a long sock for this method. Cut off the toes to create a tube shape. Lift the dog’s ears up over its head, place a gauze pad over the wound, and carefully roll the sock around the dog’s head. Be sure to avoid the nose and eyes.
- Make sure the bandage is snug but not too tight. Try sliding a finger inside the sock to ensure it’s not too tight, especially around the head and neck area.
- Leave the bandage on for about a day, then remove it to check the wound. If necessary, you can reuse the same bandage on another day as long as it remains clean and dry.
Advice
- This process may take two to three days to ensure the bleeding has completely stopped.
- If the dog senses bleeding, it often reflexively shakes its head, causing blood to splatter on walls, furniture, etc. Keep your dog away from valuable items until you’re sure the bleeding has ceased.
- Do not attempt to wrap a towel around the dog’s ear. The dog will struggle to remove it, and it will only cause more bleeding.
