I just read your blog on UOs in cats. Thank you for your passion on this and all fronts. You mentioned dry, low quality cat food as primary cause. What about dogs? Do you see this frequently with them? I feed a high-quality, all-dry diet to my dogs, and I’m just wondering if you recommend against it.

My 8 yr old male cat is an indoor only cat. He has never had ear mites. He is HIV+ since birth, although he was never tested for it (he appeared on my doorstep during a blizzard, still nursing from his mother who is HIV+). A week ago, I noticed the inside of his ear a light swelling. Now it is quite noticable. I believe it to be an aural hematoma. Would it be safe to drain it by puncturing it with the one of the injection needles I use to test my blood sugar? I really can’t afford spending a thousand dollars for the vet.