Reasons for this procedure
Ear disease can often start with infrequent flare-ups of otitis externa which are controlled by medical treatment. Often however, despite best efforts, this can progress over time to otitis media where the inflammation becomes so severe that the ear canal narrows, can become filled with infection and medical treatment is no longer effective.
We understand that ear disease is very unpleasant indeed, for both pets and their owners who are involved in the treatment. Often it is a chronic condition whereby you have seen your pet struggle for a number of months or even years. End stage otitis externa/media is likely to require a surgical approach to reduce pain and prevent further infection. Another indication for surgery includes ear tumours.
Diagnosis
Your vet will have referred your pet to our soft tissue surgeons as a result of unsuccessful medical management. Our surgeons will perform an examination of your pet and take a thorough history. Occasionally, further imaging is recommended to aid in this diagnosis and to form an appropriate treatment plan.
Surgery
A TECA and bulla osteotomy (TECA-bo) is reserved for those pet’s where all medical options have been exhausted.
A TECA-bo involves the removal of all the diseased and infected ear canal so that the middle ear can be accessed and drained, prior to closure of healthy tissue. It is an extremely effective treatment for severe chronic ear disease and although your pets hearing will be reduced, it is not lost completely in most cases as the inner ear which acts as the hearing organ remains in place.
Most pets will have a dramatic improvement in their quality of life once they have fully recovered from surgery as they will no longer be suffering from chronic pain and repeated medical treatments.
