Vet Q&A: Total ear canal ablation may correct dog's ear problems
Oklahoman - September 17, 2007

Q:My mixed breed dog has had chronic ear problems. I have been told that the ears can't be fixed, and he needs surgery to remove the ear canals because they are hard like bone. What does this mean, and what if I can't afford the surgery?

A:Ear problems can be chronic and difficult to treat. Ultimately, the ears can become so irritated that the cartilage becomes calcified or hard, like bone. This happens after years of ear infections and inflammation, and that calcification is irreversible.

In these cases, the ear canals often are so thickened, and the passage is so narrow that they can no longer be medicated effectively. Generally, the middle and sometimes inner ear areas are also damaged. Hearing is minimal at best, and the pet may be deaf.

Treatment is usually limited to a total ear canal ablation. This is a surgery where the external ear canal is removed, including the vertical and horizontal canals. Often, the boney area of the middle ear called the bulla is opened and drained. Pre-surgical radiographs will allow the veterinarian to determine if this is a necessary part of the procedure.

This is a delicate surgery. During surgery, the facial nerve in the area needs to be protected. If it is damaged, the eye on that side may not blink, leading to eye problems. Other symptoms of facial nerve paralysis are drooping of the lips and ear, difference in pupil size and dropping of food. Sometimes these symptoms appear temporarily, and the dog returns to normal when the swelling from the surgery has subsided.

This is not an inexpensive surgery, but it does stop the ongoing costs of chronic medical care as well as the stress on the pet.

This procedure should be differentiated from the lateral ear canal resection surgery in which the vertical ear canal is removed to allow the horizontal ear canal to drain properly. Because of the shape of the dog's ear canals, the fluids and debris cannot get out, providing a source of irritation and infection. By removing the upper part of the ear canal, the material can be more easily removed, and the ear kept dryer.

The key to preventing ears from getting into this shape in the first place is to treat ear infections early and to completely clear them. This requires you to know what is causing the infection or inflammation and implement an appropriate treatment plan. Initially, a swab of the ear canals is made and stained. By looking at the stained slide under a microscope, bacteria and yeast can be identified. In some cases, ear mites are suspected but not found and treatment may be instituted anyway.

Sometimes there is no infection at all in the inflamed ears. Food allergies often are the culprit behind scratching and shaking of the head and ears. Elimination of treats, dyes, preservatives and a hypoallergenic diet prescribed by your veterinarian is the key to resolving this problem.

Financial assistance may be available to you. Locally, The Bella Foundation is available to help with the costs of medical care of stray pets and those owned by people in financial need. This nonprofit program focuses on helping pets in Oklahoma City and surrounding areas.

Requirements include the submission of documentation providing amount and source of income (not to exceed $35,000 a year) and ID verification. The Bella Foundation requires recipients to volunteer eight hours at the Oklahoma City Animal Shelter or their local animal shelter.

Information about the organization can be found at www.thebellafoundation.org.

Tina Neel is a veterinarian and owner of Neel Veterinary Hospital. Submit your pet health questions online at NeelVet.com.

<< Return to Home