This surgical procedure is necessary when hemorrhage in the pinna (ear flap), forms an uncomfortable swelling of blood underneath the skin. It causes excessive head shaking and general irritation. It is commonly a secondary symptom of an underlying problem such as an ear infection or ear mites. The irritation causes the animal to shake and scratch violently at their ears causing a blood vessel to break within the ear flap. The blood collects in between the cartilage and skin of the ear flap, producing a large swelling which causes further irritation. In order to effectively treat this, the initial health issue and the hematoma must be treated. To correct the hematoma the animal must be put under anesthesia and a surgical procedure performed.