Karma
8-5-08
7-29-08 Karmas consultation is scheduled for August 4th. Once the vet has looked her over, done the proper tests and confirmed she needs the ear ablation she will have surgery the afternoon of the 4th or the morning of the 5th. Please pray for Karma as this is a VERY SERIOUS surgery but is crucial to her leading a happy normal life. If you are able to help donate towards her surgery please do so. The surgery is approx 2000.00-2500.00. We have only raised 150.00 to date for Karma! We will keep you updated once her surgery is complete.
Karma has been in the rescue for some time now, she is a great girl. Over the past six months it was noticed by Karmas foster home that she was experiencing recurrent ear infections in her left ear. After being treated for these numerous times the vet has decided it would be in Karmas best interest to have an ear ablation done. Without it she'll have chronic ear draining and infection and it will always be painful to her. No vet close to Karmas foster home does this proceedure. BRBR has been refered to a vet in Winston Salem for the procedure. It is a very serious surgery and complications can arise if not done properly. Unfortunately, it is very expensive. ($1500-2000). She is on ear drops and antibiotics for it right now. BRBR needs to start raising the money for Karmas surgery so this girl can get on the road to recovery and start feeling better!
Surgical Treatment of Ear Disease
Background
Infections and other diseases of the ear are some of the most common ailments treated by veterinarians. Most of the time, they are able to be treated and controlled with medication. However, when medication becomes ineffective, surgery must be considered.
Anatomy
The ear has four main parts;
* pinna or (ear flap)
* canal (vertical and horizontal)
* tympanic cavity (or bulla)
* inner ear (not pictured)
Ear Canal Disease
Moisture in the ear canal promotes yeast and bacterial growth leading to infection, foul odor, and pain. Hanging ear flaps, canal hair, skin allergies, parasites, tumors and birth defects can contribute to infection. Over time, even with the most fastidious ear care, many dogs develop chronic changes which medication cannot resolve.
Chronic Changes
Long standing and recurrent ear infections results in three important changes;
* thickening of the ear canal (which blocks the opening)
* deep infection of the tympanic cavity
* resistance to many common antibiotics
As a result of these changes, medical treatment becomes ineffective.
Surgery of the Ear Canal
When medical treatment fails, surgery becomes the only hope for resolution of ear disease. Success with surgery of the ear canal is as high as 92% depending on the type of procedure, skill of the surgeon, concurrent disease, severity of ear disease, prior ear surgery and overall health of the pet.
Four surgical procedures are available for the treatment of ear disease;
* Lateral Ear Canal Resection
* Vertical Ear Canal Resection
* Ventral Bulla Osteotomy
* Total Ear Canal Ablation with Lateral Bulla Osteotomy (TECA)
The appropriate procedure is chosen based upon the severity and nature of ear disease. TECA is the most commonly performed procedure in the case of long standing disease. When TECA is performed, the entire ear canal is removed and the tympanic cavity is opened and cleansed. TECA is described in further detail below.
As with any surgical procedure, general anesthesia is required. Fortunately, risk of anesthetic complications is rare in otherwise healthy pets, regardless of age.
Total Ear Canal Ablation with Lateral Bulla Osteotomy (TECA)
Information above provided by: Veterinary Surgical Services via the web
THANK YOU!
(TOTAL RAISED 500.00)
Gammon Family
Michele Frankl
Anne Rogers
