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External and middle ear infections are common in dogs and cats. Unfortunately, dog diseases frequently go unnoticed by the pet owner until they have advanced and become well-established. Sometimes, ear infections in pets cause irreversible structural changes.

Ear diseases, hence, must be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible to prevent such structural damage. In addition, for various reasons, initial medical management may fail in advanced ear infections. Moreover, external and middle ear canal diseases are frequently associated with multiple underlying issues. Veterinary ear surgery may become the most effective treatment method for these and other reasons.

This blog will help you understand the various external and middle ear diseases and how they can be treated.

Canine And Feline Ear Diseases

Ear diseases are a common problem in both dogs and cats. For example, chronic otitis externa is one of the frequent causes of pet hospitalization. Treatment options differ according to the severity and progression of the disease. As a result, it is critical for pet owners to check their pets' ears regularly.

You can learn more about ear disease causes and treatments in the following.

Causes of ear diseases

Ear disease in dogs and cats can be caused by various factors. The following are some common causes:

• Bacterial and yeast infections

• Ear mites and other parasites

• Ear wax or dirt build-up

• Allergies and Hypersensitivity

• Ticks

• Foreign bodies

• Polyps or other masses 

• Tumors, benign and malignant

• Foreign bodies

• Conformation of the ear canal and pinna

Signs of pet surgery

Infectious, parasitic, immune, or allergic causes of ear diseases can be managed without surgery if detected early and treated appropriately. However, ear surgery procedures can be effective if appropriate medical management fails to cure or control the disease. In addition, surgery is also necessary if a tumor is present.

You should contact your veterinarian if you notice any of these symptoms, as the pet may need surgery:

• Shaking of the head regularly

• Ear scratching or pawing regularly

• Tilting of the head frequently

• Loss of balance

• Dramatic mood shifts

• Aggression when ears or head are touched 

• Swollen and red ears

• Ear discharge

• Facial drooping, or inability to blink

• Pain upon opening the mouth

Surgical treatments for external and middle ear

Veterinary surgical procedures differ depending on the pet's condition. However, we have listed the most common procedures that dogs and cats frequently require. Continue reading to learn more about these veterinary ear surgeries.

Lateral Ear Canal Resection

Lateral ear canal resection (LECR) treats chronic infections. For example, it treats chronic otitis before the vertical and horizontal canals become stenotic. It can also remove benign tumors from the vertical canal's lateral wall. Therefore, it is critical to consider LECR early during otitis treatment.

The procedure involves the removal of the lateral half of the vertical ear canal and the creation of a drainage board for the horizontal ear canal. When done correctly, it allows for better access to the horizontal canal for medication application. In addition, it will allow discharge from the horizontal channel to drain without traveling up the vertical canal.

Total Ear Canal Ablation

Total ear canal ablation (TECA) is a salvage procedure for treating advanced otitis externa and malignant ear canal tumors. End-stage ear disease in dogs cannot be treated medically and cannot be adequately treated by LECR. Therefore, TECA is also used to treat malignant ear canal tumors.

The entire external ear canal is removed during TECA, and this procedure should always be combined with a lateral or ventral bulla osteotomy. Patients who have bilateral TECA and LBO are effectively deaf. The complication rate associated with TECA ranges from 21% to 82%, with facial nerve paralysis being the most common.

Wrapping Up

Ear disease, whether acute or chronic, can be debilitating and painful, resulting in not only clinical symptoms related to the ears but also lethargy and anorexia. External and middle ear diseases can be difficult to treat because they are frequently multifactorial. Ear diseases may necessitate surgery, and several procedures are performed on dogs and cats for treatment.

If you want to read more about ear surgical procedures, Vet and Tech might be a good resource. It is an online educational platform for veterinary information. It features versatile veterinary surgical procedures for the ear, eye, soft tissue, and more. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is anesthesia necessary for pet ear surgery?

Anesthesia is required to perform pet ear surgery while keeping your animal comfortable and safe. Blood is drawn before the procedure to assess your pet's overall health and rule out any significant risks associated with anesthesia administration.

Is pet ear surgery a common procedure?

Many pets require ear surgery because they are prone to infections due to their ear type, lifestyle, or breed. In addition, surgery is frequently the best option if treatment fails to alleviate chronic pain.