Clyde the West Highland Terrier Cross has been visiting Lynbrook Vet since we opened. He is a very special boy who has had chronic ear infections throughout his life despite the devotion towards his treatment given by his family and our team.
Above: Nurse Elise with Clyde
Clyde was diagnosed with bilateral otitis externa (ear infection of both ears) and after undergoing an anaesthetic to flush out his ear canals, he was found to have severe and chronic inflammation inside both ear canals which had also become very narrow. No wonder no medication was working! Poor Clyde also had an abscess form within his ear which his medication could no longer treat and so Clyde’s best hope was to undergo a special kind of surgery to remove the entire ear canal.
Above: Artist’s interpretation of the TECA surgery which requires the complete removal of the ear canal
This made Clyde’s family rather nervous. It was a big decision to make, but knowing it would make him so much happier, he was booked in for the procedure known as a Total Ear Canal Ablation (TECA).
The TECA surgery involves the removal of the entire ear canal and middle-ear cavity while leaving the ear flap in place. TECA’s are recommended at the end stages of chronic ear disease that can no longer be treated or managed with medication.
We enlisted the help of Dr Ralph Webster of Better Veterinary Referrals who specialises in this type of procedure. Clyde had both ear canals dissected and removed. He went home that night with a funky haircut and his mum told us he slept like a baby!
Above: Clyde after surgery with his funky haircut! Sterility is important for surgery, we promise it will grow back!
Clyde is now significantly more comfortable and feeling much better following his surgery and recovery from his severe ear infections. Clyde had his sutures removed and his incision site had healed within 2 weeks.
Clyde is loving the quiet life not having to listen to his sister Bonnie and being spoiled with treats from his parents as he lives the good life indoors and waits out the cold, Melbourne mornings until his hair grows back!
