I am not confident with the surgery. Although he had one
last year to laser which i mentioned, the vet used gas
(i think) and promised to take less than an hour to
minimize the risks, (he woke up immediately on the table
and stood up wagging tail) his kidney suffered about 6-8
months after that (BUN was 188+ & before surgery 38). I
don't know for sure if it was related to the surgery (or
chemo) but I've read that it is possible. I cannot help
but wonder if your 11-yr old patient died from post
surgery...
May i ask, (I've not dared to ask other vets face to
face) do you think the ear tumor is going to kill my dog
if i leave it as it is...? How is it going to
develop...? Will it go into the brain or pressing on it?
Thanks a million.
E-MAIL FROM DR SING DATED
JULY 23, 2011
Thank you for your reply. Old dogs are at the end
of their life-span and therefore are very high
anaesthetic risks.
Any outcome in a complaint is judged by a
"reasonable" man test in a court of law. Will a
"reasonable" man think that the death of my
11-year-old dog patient that had ear canal
ablation and passed away in his sleep 4 months
later was due to the surgery?
A reasonable man will think that the death of
patient that dies during or within a day or two
after surgery is due to the surgery. After 4
months, a reasonable man does not think that the
death of this 11-year-old dog is due to the
surgery especially when he has been eating and
drinking normally after convalescence.
As every dog is an individual and the exact nature
of his ear growths are not known due to no
histopathology results (as to whether the growths
are cancerous or not) being available from you, it
will be difficult to predict what will be the
final outcome of your dog.
With chronic otitis externa and ear canal growths,
infections of the ear canal get more severe,
leading to the rupture of the ear drum and spread
of the infections to the middle and inner ear may
occur. If the growths are cancerous, they may
spread to other areas including the brain.
Best wishes.
Ear Canal Ablation is the only
cure for this dwarf hamster with a
rotten ear odour and painful ears.
This surgery is also the only
option for dogs with long-standing
ear infections, pains and ear
growths. Ear ointments,
chemotherapy and drugs are
ineffective. The alternative is
euthanasia. However, many owners
prefer not to take the risk of
anaesthetic deaths on the
operating table and this is their
choice. They are not the ones
living with chronic ear pain,
itchiness and scratching day and
night!
TOA
PAYOH VETS
