Ear ablation in dogs
The last resort for chronic ear infections
The treatment that is most effective for ear infections in dogs depends upon the severity of the condition. Home
remedies for dog ear mites and regular grooming are effective methods to treat and prevent mild ear infections.
Chronic and recurrent ear infections that do not respond to treatment may even require surgery. Vertical Canal
Ablation and Lateral Wall Resection are designed to modify the anatomy of the dog’s ear to facilitate easy exit
of fluids, much like as it is done in the human ear.
Total Ear Canal Ablation involves removal of the vertical and horizontal ear canal, the ear drum and part of the
middle ear. It is the ultimate treatment when nothing else works. It removes the infected ear and allows fluid to
be drained from the middle ear. The process involves removing the entire amplification system of the body and if
this surgery is performed on both ears, the dog becomes deaf. To understand ear ablation, it is necessary to know
the significant role that the structure of a dog ear plays in ear infections.
The anatomy of a dog ear is one of the major reasons behind chronic inflammation of the external ear. including
externally visible cartilaginous structure and the ear canal. Unlike the human ear that has a short, straight and
a horizontal passage leading to the ear drum, dog ear has an L-shaped passage. The vertical ear canal is shaped
like a funnel and takes a 90 degree horizontal turn to end up at the ear drum. Any fluid that gets trapped in a dog’s
ear cannot come out easily. The typical shape also makes it difficult for any medication to reach the ear drum.
The retained fluid and external parasites like dog ear mites lead to infection. A long standing infection triggers
excess production of wax and other infectious fluids making the ear a welcome residence for ear mites and yeast.
The resultant inflammation causes thickening of the skin that lines the external ear creating further problems.
Get more info on Ear Dr. for dog and cat ear mites and ear infections.
Treatment.
Chronic ear infections often lead to injury in the middle ear cavity and can thicken the ear canal to such an extent
that it becomes akin to a bone. Malignant tumors in the ear that have not metastasized through the cartilage or into
the middle ear cavity too should undergo surgery.
Prognosis of Total Ear Canal Ablation is encouraging as long as the procedure is performed by an experienced
veterinarian surgeon. This helps in avoiding any complications during this delicate procedure. Like all surgeries,
the Total Ear Canal Ablation procedure needs to be followed up so that any post surgical complications can be
addressed quickly. After an ear ablation, total or partial, your dog may live long but he may never be the same as
before.
Your pet is your responsibility and when you bring a pet home, it is incumbent upon you to take proper care
of its health. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. If you get down to thinking about it, whether it
is
dog or cat ear mites, the infection is initiated by poor grooming. Dogs and cats require help from owners.
Regular and proper ear cleaning can save you a lot of expense and your pets from a great deal of discomfort.
Article courtesy of PetAlive
References:
http://www.southpaws.com/topics/ears.htm
http://www.vetsurgerycentral.com/ear_ablation.htm
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