Should I say yes to surgery on my dog's ear?

Question

My dog Holly is 13-1/2 years old. She has a constant yeast infection in her ear due to a polyp (or tumor) that is very large and growing in her ear canal. This prevents air from flowing thru as required and keeps the ear infected. I could continue to flush her ear with a cleaning solution from the vet to keep it somewhat clean and less smelly (but still smelly)... or I can go for a surgery that will allow it to drain all the crap out and dry so that air flows the way it should. Based on a blood test they done today all the vital levels are normal. She has some congestion in her lungs. Because of her age the vet says there could be complications. Do I take this risk? I love my dog, she is my only "child". But do I put her thru this surgery or put her thru ear cleanings for the rest of her life?

Holly wants me to leave her ear alone and never clean it out which is not good. If she went thru the surgery she would heal and normal cleanings would do fine. Sometimes the parent has to make the choice and in this case I need opinions from people like you...

Answer 1

I hate to bring it up, but how much will the surgery cost? What's the vet's recommendation? I think you'll find that your dog will live the rest of her life much happier if you get the surgery, just because she won't be living with the pain. But you have to decide whether you want to risk it. If finances aren't an issue, I would say go for it - better for the dog to live pain free!

Answer 2

Is the surgery essentially non-invasive? If it basically is just a lance & drain thing under anesthesia and the vet thinks it's ok, then go for it.

However, the congestion in her lungs and her age (if she's a med-larger sized dog) can be somewhat off putting.

Ask the vet what he would do if it was his dog. Ask the techs the same question. See if there is a consensous. And, go with your heart.

Good luck to you and holly. : )

Answer 3

Please don't have your canines ears cropped. the only feasible reason i will think of of to try this could be in case you're making plans to tutor your dogs and the breed known at exhibits demands it -- yet i don't be attentive to of any breeds for which it particularly is the case. Admittedly i'm no longer an AKC expert. As to what you should anticipate in case you have this finished: it particularly is a surgical technique and would require some form of anesthetic, which, whether administered as a "community," consists of some disadvantages; the technique would require substantial after-care on your section, alongside with protecting the surgical web content sparkling and bandaged to ward off an infection, and a veterinary persist with-up circulate to to verify for issues; some human beings will choose you for what they deliberate to be a disfiguring technique you elected to have finished on your dogs; AND, after all that, the dogs's ears won't upward thrust up or in any different case appear like precisely what you like, besides. you additionally can ought to inquire with numerous vets in the previous you come across one which will do it, as further and extra won't willingly do this technique until there's a scientific necessity for it. i does no longer rush into this technique and heavily reassess whether or no longer you particularly should have it finished.

Answer 4

Well, no one else can say for sure what you have to do. But if you choose not to, she will live like this untill her days are done (hopefully thats a long long time). If you choose surgery, she can survive, especially if she has the drive. You need to weigh it out, and decide. Also ask how high the risks are if you havn't already. Good luck, I wish you and your dog the best of life, and long years together.

Answer 5

I would say surgery but it seems risky I know its hard because I have a girl dog who needed surgery on her leg because it was broken and dislocated in 4 different places on the same leg and it was a 50/50 chance she keep her leg. She went under surgery and she ended up keeping her leg. I was happy and she looks alot happier. I think do it for the sake of your doggy's life. Good Luck with what ever you do. Best wishes.

Answer 6

Tough call. I don't envy you having to make this decision. If you think she will withstand the surgery, go for it. I had a 14 year old Shepard who got a tumor on his leg. We agonized over the surgery. Finally decided to do it. He lived another two years, free from the pain it had caused.
We're keeping our fingers crossed for you and Holly!!

Answer 7

Well what does Holly want to do?

Answer 8

if it makes it better i would but thats just me go with what u think is best