Aural haematoma in a 6-week-old suckling kitten secondary to head trauma

Abstract

Aural haematoma is the accumulation of serosanguineous fluid or blood within the cartilage plate of the pinna which presents as fluctuating, fluid filled swelling on the concave surface of one or both ears. It is frequently observed in dogs, and rare in adult cats and in kittens. This paper presents a case of aural haematoma in a 6-week-old kitten weighing 400g. The owner complained that the kitten had a swelling on its’ left pinna with no previous trauma, vigorous head shaking or scratching. A left peri-orbital swelling was observed with the aural haematoma on physical evaluation. The haematoma was drained and the dead space closed with through and through pinna suture technique. The result was good with excellent owner satisfaction.