This could be what is known as an aural (ear) hematoma. This is essentially a big blood blister. The ears have a large number of veins and if the pet has been shaking their head, has an ear infection, or has had some sort of trauma to the ear, this can break these veins and allow bleeding under the skin. The result is a large blood clot over the site of the blood vessel break. Bruises are sometimes noted, but not always. This requires that a veterinarian check your pet for ear infections and he may need possible surgery to resolve it. Other causes can be insect bites and stings, infections that have formed an abscess under the skin, and general allergic reactions. These are usually painful, which is why he is likely crying. I do not advise aspirin, or any OTC pain medication as this could increase the bleeding in the site and make it worse.
Many different means of treatment are available, however there are not any really good over the counter medications available for pets----many are toxic due to their metabolism.
You can find some more information here:
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=566
and if this does not work, type "ear hematoma" in the upper left corner search box at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/
I hope that this is helpful.
Dr. G
Veterinarian
Chief of Staff, Senior ER Clinician
Unfortunately, the best option for recovery from this is surgical intervention. You also need to find the underlying cause - something caused him to shake his head and break the blood vessels - such as an ear infection. Unfortunately there are no really good over the counter medications to help with this problem.
Below is further information on help with care of your pet.
I understand that veterinary costs can add up quickly, but there are some resources that are available to persons who cannot immediately afford all medical care. Consider pet insurance plans, and some of the programs below.
Due to some people's financial situation, many offices offer a program called CARE CREDIT. This is a medical credit card (similar to a Sears or Best Buy card) that is used for medical services. This is used for human medical services as well as veterinary medical services. See http://www.carecredit.com/ . The site also will list veterinarians in your area that accept care credit.
Please also consider In Memory Of Magic http://www.imom.org/ . This is a charitable online group that attempts to help people who do not have many funds available for their pet's care. Please read the site carefully before applying.
We, as veterinarians, do understand that sometimes, the funding for veterinary costs is not available, however there are some groups out there that may help provide for your pet's care.The following is a list of organizations that provide financial assistance to pet owners in need. Please keep in mind that each organization is independent and has their own set of rules and guidelines. Therefore you will have to investigate each one separately to determine if you qualify for assistance:
Please remember that, depending on the severity of your pet's illness or injury, you may still lose your pet even after great expense. Discuss the prognosis and treatment options thoroughly with your veterinarian, including whether surgery or treatment would just cause your animal discomfort without preserving a life of good quality.