Ear filled with fluid?

Question
I am very worried about my dog. She is approximately 11 years old and I just returned home from a 5 day vacation (while my father was taking care of her) to find out that her ear is filled with fluid. It is not the actual ear canal or inside of her ear. But it is just the fleshy furry ear part that sticks up. It seems that under the skin is very puffy and it feels to be filled with a fluid-like substance. It is so filled that her ear does not perk up, but simply sags off to the side. I would immediately take her to the vet but I do not have the proper funds to go to the vet without having an idea of what is wrong with her. Please write back as soon as possible, thank you for your time.
Sincerely, Worried Pet Owner

Answer
This is an aural hematoma and requires surgical drainage to correct.  Sometimes dogs get such itchy ears from infections that they shake their heads and break blood vessels causing the swelling.  The blood clots and then the clot retracts causing permanent ear deformity.