Ear Canal Ablation?

[Ibrakeforbrachys]

Hi everyone. Bacon's Momma here. We have had our boy now since September 2017. (a craigslist rescue.) Here's the story;

I went to meet him, and saw what bad shape he was in health wise and couldn't leave him there. We paid the $100.00 "rehoming" fee and brought him home. We promptly went to the vet and proceeded to spend about 1200.00 in vet costs the first week we had him. He had double ear infections, his nose folds were a hot mess, and he had severe dry eye. He was also super aggressive with anyone touching him, so we had to sedate him for everything. We have been in and out of the vet for multiple ear infections and he had an impacted anal gland. We had his teeth cleaned, ears done and the anal gland about a month ago. He has another ear infection... The vet is recommending an ear canal ablation. Now... we were told Bacon is around 9... But, he seems pretty spry for a 9 year old. He's not a puppy, obviously, but he can get up and down stairs fine, he jumps on our couch, and he plays a mean tug-o-rope. We have made huge strides with his temperament and I think he's happy here with us.

Now.. my questions/comments/concerns.

Bacon apparently has a SUPER narrow trachea, which makes intubating and keeping him oxygenated during surgery difficult. But, we have been battling ear infections since we've had him, and he DOES NOT let us treat him very well, if at all at home. So, every time, we end up sedating and cleaning, then putting in a long lasting antibiotic. So, expensive every time!! I have done some reading and research on the ablation surgery, and it seems like a pretty involved surgery. That makes me VERY nervous. It's expensive, but I imagine it would pay for itself in the long run since his ear will be essentially infection proof. I guess I'm just looking for some guidance, or advice, or words of wisdom that we are doing the right thing by him. I don't want to give him an expiration date. I want him to be as healthy and happy as he can for as long as we can. We sure do love the big stubborn pigbull.

 

[NicosMom]

Hi Jamie, It's always hard to make these decisions when age is becoming a factor. If you have the means to do it, I would probably take the chance to give him some relief so he doesn't have to deal with constant ear infections and sedation (just my opinion). If it would be a financial hardship then keep doing what your doing. I applaud you for doing everything you have already done, Bacon is one lucky bulldog to have you as a mom.

 

[oscarmayer]

With a narrow breathing passage the risk is higher than without. Even a healthy Bulldog is more of a risk than other dogs. We've done numerous ablations over the years and the procedure will offer a profound improvement in health and how your bully feels. The oldest patient so far, that I can recall, has been 7. This surgery is not something that can be done in ten minutes and the longer the dog stays under the higher the risk. Talk to your Vet about how long he expects the surgery to take and if there are other specialists that can do it quicker. Most simply put, a Vet that has done 100 ablations will be much quicker than a Vet that has done 10.

 

[2BullyMama]

Thank you for saving him and giving him the best new life you can!

Chip has given great insight and advice


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[Lalaloopsie]

I don’t want to sound pessimistic, but 9 y is quite an age for bulldogs. And taking into account complexity of the surgery, it’s high price and trachea problem...being realistic, I would rather not go for this surgery.

 

[helsonwheels]

Now.. my questions/comments/concerns.

Bacon apparently has a SUPER narrow trachea, which makes intubating and keeping him oxygenated during surgery difficult. But, we have been battling ear infections since we've had him, and he DOES NOT let us treat him very well, if at all at home. So, every time, we end up sedating and cleaning, then putting in a long lasting antibiotic. So, expensive every time!! I have done some reading and research on the ablation surgery, and it seems like a pretty involved surgery. That makes me VERY nervous. It's expensive, but I imagine it would pay for itself in the long run since his ear will be essentially infection proof. I guess I'm just looking for some guidance, or advice, or words of wisdom that we are doing the right thing by him. I don't want to give him an expiration date. I want him to be as healthy and happy as he can for as long as we can. We sure do love the big stubborn pigbull.

Now this is MY opinion. At 9yrs old I sure wouldn’t do surgery especially with a narrow trachea. But I sure would do the essential oil mix to help that ear infection. Here’s the recipe n a lot of members are using it. I also use it for Nyala ‘s tail pocket. Been 2 years n no infection nor tail amputation. This oil recipe basically started for extremely bad ear infection a member had with her dog. Kept going to the vet non stop and decided to do this mix. Boils down, always up to you.

Here is the essential oil recipe for ear infections or just maintaining good ear health.Spray on cotton ball and wipe out ears ...don't spray directly in ears.In a 2 ounce glass spray bottle, combine:

15 drops Lavender
15 drops Geranium
15 drops Frankincense
15 drops Basil
10 drops Arborvitae (cedar or thuja)

Fractionated*Coconut Oil*to fill the bottle about 3/4 of the way fullShake bottle well before using. Use once a week to treat ears that have an ear infection or once a month as a preventative measure in ears that are prone to recurrent ear infectionsIf ears are especially inflamed or infected, dilute 2 drops of lavender in 4 drops of fractionated*coconut oil*on a cotton ball and apply lightly to soothe the inflamed ear area.

 

[Ibrakeforbrachys]

That's our issue with Bacon. He will not let us do anything to his ears. If we try wiping them out he will let us "sometimes." but most of the time he will be very aggressive and try to bite. Same with his nose folds. I can at least get those in the shower, and he will let me wipe them on occasion, but it's hit or miss. That's the biggest reason I'm considering surgery. We go in tomorrow for a consultation, and I'll have a better idea. Thanks for all the advice. That's why I joined here to begin with. =)

 

[Lalaloopsie]

Just another idea, if he has persisting infection and doesn’t let to wipe ears, discuss with your vet Convenia - it’s an antibiotic which can be injected once in 2 weeks. It is primarily labelled for skin infections, but I know for sure vets use it for ear infections especially in dogs and cats who are in so much pain from long lasting infection, they do one injection and in many cases you see improvement. I used Convenia for my dog, it is quite nice. The only downside could be the price, but the 10 ml bottle is enough usually for 3-4 injections. I would give it a try before considering surgery.
Then you can do an 8 week course couple of times a year and avoid surgery.

 

[Dollys Owner]

He probably has food allergies causing the ear infections, and possibly environmental allergies as well. Try switching him to frozen raw, not chicken based, and if that is too inconvenient for you, try a dehydrated raw limited ingredient product like Honest Kitchen Spruce. Also put him on probiotics such as raw goats milk or live sauerkraut form refrigerator section of health food store, or milk kefir, or a doggie probiotic like Proviable DC. If he has environmental allergies try giving him Cetirizine 0.5 mg per pound daily. Try muzzling him when you clean out his ears and wrinkles and give him lots of treats after. You can clean out his ears with apple cider vinegar and witch hazel mixture, usually its 50:50 but a 30:70 acetic acid to witch hazel mixture will be less irritating. Just put it in a spray bottle and spray in, or soak a few cotton balls and put in. Do that daily for a couple of weeks. Or you can buy Zymox HC otic and use daily for a couple of weeks but it's quite expensive. Once his ear infection is under control just clean ears when they get dirty or he scratches at them- this can vary from once daily to once weekly to monthly. Try to clean wrinkles every time you clean his ears- I like to wet a cotton round then put a dab of ketohex shampoo on it and wipe out the wrinkle, then wash out wrinkle with a second wet pad, then dry out wrinkle with a third dry pad. The wrinkle that the eye drains into is the main one that needs wiping, and sometime the one above the nose as well.

 

[Ibrakeforbrachys]

Thanks everyone. After a lengthy discussion with the vet, we are going to go ahead with the ablation. I know it's risky, but at this point the chronic ear infections are just too much. I want what's best for him, and I think this is it. We don't know his past, and he is a very, very difficult "patient." Hopefully this will make him less cranky too once he's all healed up and feeling better.

 

[Hankster]

Thanks everyone. After a lengthy discussion with the vet, we are going to go ahead with the ablation. I know it's risky, but at this point the chronic ear infections are just too much. I want what's best for him, and I think this is it. We don't know his past, and he is a very, very difficult "patient." Hopefully this will make him less cranky too once he's all healed up and feeling better.

Ya know, you just may be right about being 'less cranky' aft. (ewe though, do you have to put in drops after? ) Anyway, pain takes its toll on the best of us so prayerfully, this will help him out a bunch! And then, in the meantime, check out the other info like on food etc, and those oils!! they are amazing! I pray him well, and thank you for taking such concern and care for that boy. Keep us in the 'loop'...

 

[2BullyMama]

Thanks everyone. After a lengthy discussion with the vet, we are going to go ahead with the ablation. I know it's risky, but at this point the chronic ear infections are just too much. I want what's best for him, and I think this is it. We don't know his past, and he is a very, very difficult "patient." Hopefully this will make him less cranky too once he's all healed up and feeling better.

It sure will help with the cranky behavior... he is in pain which can make anyone cranky.

Wishing the best ... keep us posted. Sending lots pf positive thoughts


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[Ibrakeforbrachys]

Update: Bacon had surgery yesterday. He did good! He stayed overnight at the hospital and hopefully we can get him home today. It's going to be a lengthy recovery, but I'm hopeful the outcome will be worth it.

 

[2BullyMama]

Update: Bacon had surgery yesterday. He did good! He stayed overnight at the hospital and hopefully we can get him home today. It's going to be a lengthy recovery, but I'm hopeful the outcome will be worth it.

Great news! Keep us posted and give him some lovins from us


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[Ibrakeforbrachys]

Great news! Keep us posted and give him some lovins from us


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Thanks so much!