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Ear Infections - Surgery?

B

barney_b

New Kit
Hi,

Our little girl (Mini-lop) is suffering with an on going ear infection since October, having recovered from an initial infection back in 2013. We use a well regarded rabbit savvy vet and have been using metacam & oral antibiotics (Baytril) on and off since October, with regular ear flushes. We took her back to the vets recently due her crunching her teeth and they have advised ear surgery to expose the ear canal is most likely the next step as her ear canals are very narrow.

She is now on pain relief and has a CT scan scheduled for this week to see how far the infection goes so surgery can be planned.

Naturally we want her to be happy and healthy, does anyone have any experience with having this kind of surgery and the chances of success?
 
I had a Rabbit with chronic otitis. He could not have surgery as he also had heart disease and the risks of operating were too great. His otitis was managed with antibiotics, analgesia and ear canal washouts.

I am not at all sure that I would have agreed to surgery even if he had not had a heart condition as thus far I have not heard of any great outcomes in the longterm. That's not to say they dont happen though, I guess they must do. I will be watching this thread with interest.

I assume your Vet was suggesting a lateral ear canal resection rather than a total ear canal resection and ablation ?

These links may be useful to take a look at:

*WARNING- Graphic images of surgical procedures*

http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Surgery/Ear/ear_resection.htm

http://www.ivis.org/proceedings/navc/2006/SAE/617.pdf?LA=1

http://veterinarywebinars.com/assets/Study_Notes_Ear_Nose_Rabbits.pdf
 
Thanks for the reply and links.

The type of surgery depends on the outcome of the CT scan and whether the infection has spread to the middle ear. I've had a look around and found some articles on surgery such as those you suggested. The procedure makes sense, in terms of exposing the area where the infection is to make it easier to reach with medication and to provide ventilation.
 
barney_b said:
Thanks for the reply and links.

The type of surgery depends on the outcome of the CT scan and whether the infection has spread to the middle ear. I've had a look around and found some articles on surgery such as those you suggested. The procedure makes sense, in terms of exposing the area where the infection is to make it easier to reach with medication and to provide ventilation.
Click to expand...

It's a procedure that is often successful in dogs I believe. Hopefully there will be some people on here with success stories to share concerning a Rabbit. There were two very experienced Exotics Specialist Vets who used to occasionally post on this Forum. Unfortunately they have not been around for some time but I feel they would be able to tell of success stories.
 
barney_b said:
Hi,

Our little girl (Mini-lop) is suffering with an on going ear infection since October, having recovered from an initial infection back in 2013. We use a well regarded rabbit savvy vet and have been using metacam & oral antibiotics (Baytril) on and off since October, with regular ear flushes. We took her back to the vets recently due her crunching her teeth and they have advised ear surgery to expose the ear canal is most likely the next step as her ear canals are very narrow.

She is now on pain relief and has a CT scan scheduled for this week to see how far the infection goes so surgery can be planned.

Naturally we want her to be happy and healthy, does anyone have any experience with having this kind of surgery and the chances of success?
Click to expand...

I have a rabbit who had so many repeated untreated ear infections before he came to me that his ear canals have all but closed up and he is profoundly deaf.

I have also had other rabbits with ear infections in the past. As you are doing, it's important to establish the extent of the infection and find as closely as possible an antibiotic to manage it. If you can control the infection with appropriate antibiotics, I feel it is a safer option, and obviously use the surgery as an absolutely last resort with a very competent vet.

Good luck xx
 
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