Ditto what CD3 says! Aural hematomas (ear-blood-growth/swelling) are most often caused by trauma. We see it in dogs, cats (and even pigs and sheep), when they have an ear infection - bacterial, yeast, or parasites like ear mites or flies, and they vigorously shake or scratch their ears. Or physical trauma, bites to the ear during fights for example, or if the wind whips the ear pinna (the long flap part) around when a dog has it's head stuck out the window or is in the back of a moving vehicle. As CD3 said, I believe they may heal without surgical intervention, but this may cause scar tissue leaving the 'crinkled ear', which feels very firm to the touch, and is no doubt uncomfortable for the pet (during healing, I don't believe its painful once over with). Treatment usually requires sedation, draining of the 'blood blister' and then either placing a temporary drain (less common and not as effective), or placing repeated stitches through the ear flap from one side to the other to prevent it from filling with blood again. And then treating the source of the problem. There have been reports of using surgical glue instead of sutures, but we have not found this to be as successful. There may still be a bit of scar tissue, but the ear usually doesn't get all 'crinkled' up and the animal gets almost immediate relief from the discomfort. Unfortunatley animals in the wild (or on the loose) don't get veterinary care. As I said, I don't believe that once the hematoma has resolved and the source of the problem is treated the cat has any discomfort, though I wonder if the tips of the ears may not be more prone to frost bite due to lack of circulation. Cats have an AMAZING ability to heal themselves, but scars will remain. Sorry, got wordy again! (And REALLY sorry if I seemed to put words in CD3's mouth, didn't mean to, I'm used to filling in the blanks for our clients when they have more questions after they leave the doctor! :) Have not heard of any genetic quirk either. S

I tried the aluminum foil ball, size of baseball, and it did not take care of the static. Sounded like a great idea, just did not work for me.

I don't think it's a clicking sound, yours sounds more like jawbone as they sometimes click when swallowing. I have heard more of a thub,thub sound couple of times I had it when very stressed out taking care of my parents few yrs back, Haven't had it since they passed away. Usually have low BP . Is your BP high, I don't think it could be heart at all, just where the jaw hinges on both sides back by your ear, for awhile when they were trying to realign my jaw to get rid of migraine headaches drs were doing a surgery on the jawbones of people but about 10 yrs later it came out that they were mostly a mistake as the problems got worse.(but they made lots of money on the surgeries) Might be like some people can crack their knuckles & others can't just a family trait!

I try not to use the "I'm busy" to often. I think it makes my friends feel like they aren't important. I tend to say a certain week or month, lets catch up or do someones birthday. Lately I have felt overwhelmed and I hate it. It's graduation & party crunch time, scholarship assisting, school activities have simmered down thank goodness, but the farming has stepped up X5. Oh and we are adding a whole new wing to our house. DH is doing most of the work between farming and I'm the designer. HA, sounds glamorous but it seriously isn't! Subbing at school has been few and the caller must be frustrated at my refusal to work. I am blessed to be able to enjoy the fruits of our labor but its been a long haul, we don't know what weekend fun is. My friends have been so good, they will offer their hands to help me. You bet I'm using them at DD's graduation open house! that's what friends are for. ~~I agree we are all busy. But if my friends NEED me I'll try to be there for them someway, like they are for me.