If you've ever had an ear infection, you understand how miserable and painful they are. Now imagine experiencing that pain with the added sensitivity of a dog's ears! Ear infections in our pet’s are so very common, and sadly happen over and over - and over, again!
A tailored strategy unique to the challenges each pet faces with their ear health is essential. Where medical therapy has been failing, or where ears have become scarred from chronic inflammation, this procedure could be life changing for your pet.
Chronic ear infections in dogs are awful, and are often a continual problem for many pets. This is because the underlying cause of infections remains unaddressed.
Repeated infections will scar the ear and cause the ear canal to narrow and become even more prone to infection - creating a vicious cycle. For the right patient, a lateral ear canal resection can offer dramatic relief as part of a comprehensive ear management plan.
Chronic ear infections in dogs are more than just a nuisance; they are a source of persistent pain and discomfort. The underlying causes of these infections can be complex, often involving allergies and dense scar tissue which cannot be entirely cured.
On top of this, the ear canals of dogs are long, with a deep L-shaped bend. This makes it difficult for air to circulate and for treatments to reach deep infections. As part of a tailored and balanced treatment plan, sometimes removing the outside wall of the ear and improving the ventilation of the ear can be life-changing.
This is Keke. Her year-long history of recurrent ear infections got so bad that her constant shaking caused her to develop severe neck pain. Here is her ear 3 weeks post-surgery and infection-free!
Your pet will first be examined and assessed by our experienced veterinarians, Dr. Vicky or Dr. Miranda. They will spend the time together with you gathering a thorough medical history, and examining your pet’s ears.
Often, as your pet’s ears are painful and chronically infected, a sedation for deep cleaning and video otoscopy will be recommended.
We appreciate that not all pet's are the same, and so each individual pet will benefit from a tailored anaesthesia plan depending on their breed and health status. Our procedures are performed under both general and local anaesthesia, so that when your pet wakes from surgery their ear that is numb and comfortable.
Pet's will typically sleep-over in hospital the night after surgery to benefit from intravenous pain relief and post surgical care. Your pet's comfort is our absolute priority.
This surgery is performed using our Aesculight VetScalpel carbon dioxide laser, as opposed to more traditional surgical tools such as scalpels and scissors. A surgical laser has amazing benefits during and after the procedure, reducing trauma and bleeding, leading to less postoperative swelling and pain - therefore faster recovery times.
Following the surgery, our patients benefit from photobiomodulation laser therapy. This innovative, pain-free treatment accelerates healing by further reducing pain and swelling.
Following the procedure, our patients are monitored in our 24-hour hospital, where they receive round-the-clock care and excellent intravenous post-operative pain support.
Thanks to our use of advanced surgical techniques and pain management strategies, pets experience less discomfort during the recovery period.
This is how a dog's ear appears immediately after LECR surgery. The procedure has widened the ear canal to enhance airflow and drainage, which can help minimise the occurrence of frequent, troublesome infections by making the ear easier to clean and treat.
24 Hour Veterinary Emergency Hospital
Call Now: (03) 8595 6655
Location: 619 Whitehorse RD, Mitcham
