swollen ear on Basset Hound

Question
I was petting my dog, 9 yr old male Basset Hound, and found a puffy pocket in the middle of his right ear.  I know this was not there yesterday.  It feels as if it has fluid in it.  Please, please help... It seems to bother him when I touch it.  I inherited Roo when my boss passed away Nov. 1st of 08.  I have three other dogs and as a result of my boss passing I am jobless.  I am worried sick but don't have the money for a vet.  If it is something that must be taken care of by a vet I will do whatever it takes.  Please help.  Any information you can provide will be so greatly appreciated.  Please help me help Roo.

Answer
He probably has a hematoma. It means the blood vessels inside the ear have burst and are leaking blood - likea blood blister on your finger. They can be very uncomfortable to the dog.They are expensive to fix as the usual treatment is surgery - cut open the ear flap,drain the blood out, suture it open,bandage with a helmet, re-checks, etc. If untreated, the blood eventually clots and resolves (in weeks to months) and the dog is left with a "cauliflower" ear like a person who boxes a lot.Not cosmetic, but no danger to health.

There are some holistic things you could do to help. Try a dose of homeopathic Belladonna 30c (health food store) twice a day for a week.If any other symptoms start, just stop the Belladonna and they willgo away. Rescue remedy (from health food store) can make him les stressed about this ear flap full of fluid.

Stop vaccinating him as this is an autoimmune problem. Only Rabies every 3 years and learn REiki to "detox" from the Rabies vaccine.

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