Ear Ablation Surgery

kskatt

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Zeus started out looking like this about 3 years ago.

http://s251.photobucket.com/user/suebarwebb/media/Cats/Cats- boys/IMG_0987_zpsf830d43c.jpg.html

That right ear the worst, but there was some in the left. Removed the cysts that were accessible. The outside looked much better. Within the past year the ear started bothering him a lot. The cysts had reappeared, this time deeper in the ear canal. Really got to bothering him pretty badly. Went to Kansas State U. vet school, the recommendation was to ablate both ears.

http://s251.photobucket.com/user/su... 10-14-15 recovery 018_zpsrfn4ahfg.jpg.html

.http://s251.photobucket.com/user/su... 10-14-15 recovery 017_zps6y1quhgz.jpg.html

Seriously hate the plastic cone. Tried two others. The first one is more fabric and would bend over too easily.

http://s251.photobucket.com/user/su...t cone Zeus 10-16-15 003_zpswbezjq1s.jpg.html

The second was great. Got both on ebay, they were a little cheaper there than Amazon, but both were well under $10.

http://s251.photobucket.com/user/su...s/Zeus/Misc 10-20-15 031_zpsjmbdzgrc.jpg.html

http://s251.photobucket.com/user/su...s/Zeus/Misc 10-20-15 033_zpsojgdakjs.jpg.html
 

kskatt

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bogtrotter

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Hi thanks for replying. i feel so desperate and although i know we didn't really have a choice i feel guilty for distressing her so much. se is about 14  yrs old. i have just ordered both the collars u sent through from amazon, they will be here tomorrow. i am very grateful.

is your fur ball fully recovered now ?
 

kskatt

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Right after surgery Zeus couldn't blink his right eye. I had ointment to put in 3x a day. It took just over 2 weeks to get the blink back. The ear canal is right beside many facial nerves, it is a risk. If I'd had to put drops in his eye forever, it would have been worth it. It's so sweet to see Mr and Zeus being buddies. Mr wasn't too sure about Zeus when he first came home.





His ears will droop like this forever. I think it's cute and it doesn't seem to bother him any!  He is happy to lay across my chest.



Well this is interesting. Came in, read Bogtrotter's post then scrolled down to make a reply and saw this reply, just sitting here. I must have been really tired!
 

kskatt

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Here he is Jan 10.  Three months, he has been fully healed for awhile and he is now totally back to his ornery self! At feeding time he likes to try and raid other bowls, I keep telling him it's all the same, but he just has to see for himself. :)  He likes to annoy the girls and sleep under the covers. And not to forget laying on my chest or across my shoulders! It was cute when he was a little baby, now he can make it hard to breathe at times. He does shake his head occasionally, but it is not anything like before.

Did the vets/surgeon tell you what they found, if they got it all out? Your girl has been suffering and you did the best thing you knew of. You are both in my prayers, her for a quick healing and cure, you to relax and cherish every minute of your time. I hope you will be seeing a whole new cat, a much more comfortable kitty! I do hope you will keep updating and letting us know how you are both doing. I will be thinking of you every time I think about or look at Zeus. And that's a lot!
 

bogtrotter

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Hi there. Thanks for talking to me, I feel better about it all. Zeus looks like a dude.
The new collars are due today so we are still on duty 24/7. Hopefully she will be better with one of those and we can get the odd cat nap ourselves.
She is eating fine...really well. Using a litter tray which she isn't keen on and no bothered at all about not going out. I expected her to be clawing the walls she is in and out all day usually just around our yards, patrolling. She has none of the side affects they warned us about which is great she is just a bit withdrawn staying in her own bed rather than ours. We are back at the vets this morning for a check up. The stitches and wound look good...well to me anyway and so far any attempts to scratch it have been stopped.
Will let u know how she goes. Thank you. Cath
 

bogtrotter

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Sorry I forgot. Yes they removed the whole polyp root and all. It had not gone down into her throat it was contained in the ear. She has both pain meds opiates and anti biotics which are due to stop tomorrow. It's a week tomorrow since surgery. I knew she was deaf in her affected ear has been for a long time but since the op she wasn't responding to noise at all. I was beginning to think the op had caused complete deafness. But since yesterday she seems to respond to some noises telephones, food tins and certain voices so hopefully that will improve too over time. Her right ear is fine there is nothing in there. [emoji]128568[/emoji]
 

kskatt

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Hey, how's it going? Is that sweet girl of yours getting back to herself, even a little?

I've thought about and prayed for the two of you!
 

bogtrotter

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Hi. Thanks for your thoughts. Yes she is doing great. Eating really well, playing, good fun much more like her usual self. She is dying to get out since yesterday....scraping at the door and howling.we are back at vets Tuesday morning to get the stitches out so I'm hoping she will be able to get back to her usual routine. He wound is clean and looking good. She has even put on weight ...I suppose because she has nothing else to do and she is less active. She is not happy using the litter tray at all. It's ok for just a wee but the other and she is really grumpy. Yesterday when she could hold out no longer she used it then swiped her paw over the top of the grip and it shot all round the room.....tantrum. The other collars from Amazon were a no go. She got them all off. The fabric one with the lace that you could pull as tight as you wanted she had that off in seconds so we have continued our 24/7 watch with her to stop her scratching the stitches.
I'm hoping we have turned a corner with her. Thanks for your advice and help. I really appreciate it.
 

bogtrotter

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false

This is her just now asleep on my pillows worn Abu after a night of howling to get out. Note the collar she does not usually wear on as my husband who has worked as a tree surgeon has seen may a cat hung in a tree....so we ditched cat collars a long time ago. I bought a regular collar and sewed on 8 extra bells so if I was sleepy and no so alert as soon as she started to scratch we could hear her. It has worked well she is not keen on it but hasn't got in her way too much still able to eat and sleep with it on.
 

moddycat28

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I'm interested in the total ear ablation but my problem is that the mass is malignant...does anyone have any advice for me? Please? I'm desperate as this cat, my ModdyCat is the LOVE of my life. Please help me.  Thank you.
 

bogtrotter

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Hi sorry to hear your news I don't have an answer re malignancy but I'm glad we went ahead and did the surgery. It is a major op and we struggled with the aftercare for 5 weeks....sleeping in shifts so she couldn't rip open the wound but it was worth it. I hope you get the advice and help you need. Thinking of you. Cath
 

kskatt

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What does the vet say? I the mass confined to the ear? Does he/she think the entire mass could be removed?

Is your vet a specialist? 

Sorry for so many questions, but there are just so many things to consider.

If the vet is not optimistic, you can still ask if the surgery would give extra quality time. 

So sorry you and Moddy Cat are having to go through this! I pray that there is hope!

It never hurts to get a second opinion and if you have a university vet hospital anywhere near, that is well worth a visit.
 

kristin lyn

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My 13 year old cat Romeo was recently diagnosed with a benign ear polyp (results just came back) today.  The vet is recommending either ear ablation surgery or VBO which will cost between $1900-$2400.  They are also recommended an MRI for another $900-$1000. Romeo has lost the ability to walk, he can move around by scooting but can't walk to the litter pan so he has to be carried.  Of all the posts i read i havent read about this issue with any other cat with this problem.  My regular vet said the polyp could be resting on a nerve which is affecting Romeos neurological system.  Has anyone else experienced this issue?  Thanks for any feedback.
 

kskatt

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I am so sorry about ModdyCat and Romeo! You both have to be terrified! The best thing you can do is get the best vet exam and care you can. Your fellow cat owners/lovers will do our best, but the situations you are in, just go beyond our knowledge. It is a comfort to find someone, anyone who has some experience with what you are going through. Maybe you can find someone, don't stop looking! 

Please stay on here and let us know how you and your babies are doing. Maybe someone will see that has some experience, or maybe you can be the one who helps someone else.

I will pray for you; humans and kitties. I think about you and wonder about you. 
 

louiethecat

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Just a FYI--   butorphanol has a 2 week shelf life in those single dose syringes.  Unlike other pain meds that you can save this will be ineffecitve in that amount of time.
 

mycandy

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Hi my cat toffee, has just had an ear canal removal to right ear due to polyps all the way down ear.
He seems to be coping and came out of the vets yesterday with the head collar on.
Well during the night that's off and his tried his best to get out! Oh god it's so hard to confine him.
 

kskatt

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Do you have a room where he can stay. One room is much easier to control. It takes time to heal, but it is worth it. No polyps in the other ear? Zeus's other ear canal was clear, so very thankful for that!
 
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