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Dogs have a highly developed sense of hearing. They can hear and distinguish sounds from more than four times the range of a human ear. Their frequency range is twice that of humans. A dog's intricately designed inner ear has been compared to radars and homing devices. When the ear flap rises, the inner radar is scouring the landscape, picking up tiny vibrations and high-pitched frequencies.

Fluid build up in one or both of the ear lobes impedes a dog's ability to hear. The causes of the fluid can be prevented with proper and timely care of the dog's ears. There is one cause, however, that is ineradicable because of the structure of a dog's ear.

A dog's ear is designed to produce its keen aural capability. The ear canal is shaped like the capital letter L in order to protect the sensitive ear drum from exposure or injury. Because of this unique design, wax and other foreign substances that enter the ear move upwards into the lobe area. While initially benign, the fluid build up can lead to infections that cause swelling inside of the ear lobe. Ear mites and yeast infections produce an increased supply of wax that leads to most dog ear infections.

Dogs that experience fluid in their ear lobes will aggressively scratch the area or shake their heads in order to clear the clogged lobe. Aggressive scratching or head shaking can lead to an aural Hematoma, which is a ruptured blood vessel. Once a blood vessel ruptures, the fluid enters the ear lobe and blocks the L-shaped passage that a dog relies on for its superior hearing.

Breeds that have long, droopy ears are most susceptible to wax build up. The waxy moisture in the ear lobe is the perfect environment of an ear infection to thrive. Besides ear infections caused by mites or yeast, a dog's ear flap can also become swollen because of excessive movement. Dogs of any breed can still experience ear lobe swelling if their ear hits a hard surface with an enough impact to rupture a blood vessel.

Sometimes, the swelling doesn't result in a Hematoma. The swollen area doesn't rupture and release blood. Instead, the swelling partially or completely blocks the ear lobe and can disfigure the ear if it is left untreated for a long period of time.

It is important to regularly check your dog's ear to ascertain if any swelling is occurs inside of the ear lobe. While the swelling may heal over time, it is highly recommended that you take the dog to a veterinarian for treatment. They will most likely drain the fluid with a syringe. But in order to remove blood clots, they will have to perform a minor surgery on the dog.

Dogs are demonstrative when something bothers them, especially in and around the ear area. Constant ear scratching and head shaking is easy to detect. Prevent an aural Hematoma by acting on your dog's early warning signs.

Learn more about this author, Keith Bailey.
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