Do any of your pets have a bruise? Experts say that bleeding is also referred to as hemorrhage. If that’s the case, when you think of seeing blood while brushing your teeth, can you consider that as hemorrhage? Well, if it is just a mild bleed from flossing, a professional who specializes in teeth would tell you there is nothing to worry about.
But what if you see a bulge and discoloration on the floor of your mouth, or anywhere in the body? Or what if you feel light-headed, nauseous, and suffer from a splitting headache, all indicating internal bleeding or hemorrhage? When does a hematoma need to be drained? Learn about this here not just for you but also for the welfare of your pets.
All about Hemorrhage
Pets who encountered trauma in an accident may have discoloration on their skin, or may lose consciousness all of a sudden. This may indicate the presence of a hemorrhage. Many doctors associate hemorrhages with blood loss and bleeding. Internal bleeding refers to blood loss that occurs within the body, whereas external bleeding refers to blood loss that occurs outside of the body.
Almost any part of the body can experience blood loss. When blood escapes via a crack in the skin, it is known as external bleeding. Meanwhile, if blood pours out of a broken blood artery or organ, causing internal bleeding. This can result in hematoma or bruising.
Hematoma: As simple as a Bruise?
A hematoma is a blood clot that forms outside of blood vessels that are commonly described as a collection of blood outside of blood vessels. Hematomas are most usually formed by damage to a blood vessel’s wall, which causes blood to flow out of the vessel and into the surrounding tissues. Damage to any type of blood vessel can cause a hematoma (arterial, veinous, or capillary). A hematoma is often defined as bleeding that has clotted, while a hemorrhage is defined as active, continuous bleeding around the blood vessel walls.
Kinds of Hematoma
Hematoma is a common condition that many individuals face at some point in their life. Whether you have bleeding disorders or not, you can develop a bruise. Hematomas appear as purple blotches of various sizes underneath the skin or on the nails. Contusions are another term for bruises on the skin. A hematoma can occur deep within the body, where you cannot see them. It can occasionally create a bump or swelling that you can feel. You can distinguish hematomas through names based on their location in the body. To give you valid examples, here are different names of hematoma types:
- Subdural hematoma – bleeding in between the brain and its lining inside
- Spinal or intracranial epidural hematoma – bleeding between the spinal cord and its lining
- Hepatic hematoma – bleeding affecting the liver
- Abdominal (intra-abdominal, peritoneal, or retroperitoneal) hematoma – bleeding affecting the different layers of the abdomen or abdominal cavity
- Subungual hematoma – bleeding affecting the nails
- Splenic hematoma – hematoma in the spleen
- Aural hematoma – ear bleeding
The blood clot or residue is eliminated and the vascular wall is mended by the body’s healing systems, therefore most hematomas cure naturally over time. Surgical treatment like extracting or draining the blood in a hematoma may be essential in some cases (like severe injury), depending on the indications or site and position of the hematoma. If you have had a facial injury that resulted in dental issues with or without severe traumas, just click on this link to secure an appointment with a reliable dentist.
Can I Treat my Hematoma on my Own?
If the bleeding only creates a bruise, they can, more often than not, go away on their own. From bluish-purple, you can see your bruise fading to a yellowish patch until nothing at all. Doing this requires minimal effort – just follow the mnemonics RICE: rest, ice, compress, and elevate.
You need to rest the affected part and apply an ice pack or cold compress to stop or reduce the swelling. If necessary, rest the wounded region and use a cold compress wrapped in a cloth to relieve any discomfort or swelling from a hematoma underneath the skin, nail, or other soft tissue.
Wrapping or splinting the region throughout the hematoma formation may be helpful in preventing the blood vessel from reopening while it heals. If this is essential, a doctor will offer detailed advice on how to do it. He may also elevate the affected region to relieve the pressure and pain.
If you feel pain and tenderness around the area of the bruise, you can also take over-the-counter pain medication to relieve your discomfort.
How to Treat Hematomas?
Many hematomas are straightforward. Although a hematoma underneath the nail or skin might be uncomfortable, it seldom leads to consequences. You may also take care of your teeth and gums if the trauma caused a bruise or ongoing bleeding.
It is important to seek medical help if a hematoma is really painful. A doctor can advise you on how to bandage or brace the injured region. If the region displays indications of infection, such as darkening, inflammation, or feeling uncomfortably hot, it’s also a good idea to contact a doctor.
Anyone who has experienced a head trauma should be seeing a doctor on a regular basis and report any problems they are experiencing so as to have medical treatment and attention. If a doctor suspects a hematoma or blood clots within the skull, imaging tests may be ordered of the affected area. Similarly, anybody who has been in a significant accident, such as a vehicle accident or falling from a height, should see a doctor on a frequent basis.
When Does your Hematoma Need Draining?
Certain severe hematomas commonly have treatment using surgical drainage. The presence of symptoms and the location of the hematoma determine the type of operation required and how quickly your vet performs it to your pet.
A subdural hematoma that causes symptoms like headache, weakness, or disorientation, for example, may necessitate immediate drainage by a neurosurgeon. A subdural hematoma occurs but becomes symptom-free and persistent. You can leave it alone and have it examined with imaging scans on a regular basis (CT scan).
Furthermore, a subungual hematoma as a surgical site needs drainage via the nail to allow blood to drain from the gap between the nail and the underlying tissue. This can cause extreme pain around the surrounding tissue. When you leave a big subungual hematoma alone, it might weaken and damage the nail, causing it to die and fall off. You can save the underlying nail if you drain such hematoma.
If there is an underlying cause or contributing condition that predisposes to bleeding, your vet may require you to address or treat it before treating hematomas. For example, if a dog with a hematoma is taking blood thinners for another reason, the attending veterinary doctor may choose to stop or reverse the blood thinner, based on the circumstances.
Medical Care for Hematoma depends on the Severity
Hematomas may appear alarming, but with careful treatment, you can prevent them from causing permanent harm. Minor hematomas, such as those in the ear or beneath the nail, deserve less medical attention. They may require conservative treatment at home.
Anyone with a pet can have a concussion, been in a mishap, or acquired a hematoma with infection symptoms. As much as possible, you should visit a doctor. Most hematomas dissolve without problems with prompt management and therapy.
References:
Hematoma.
https://www.rxlist.com/hematoma/drugs-condition.htm
Hematoma.
https://www.medicinenet.com/hematoma/article.htm
Hematoma: Everything you need to know.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324831
Hematoma.
https://www.emedicinehealth.com/hematoma/article_em.htm#what_is_a_hematoma
Intracranial hematoma.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/intracranial-hematoma/symptoms-causes/syc-20356145