Cat with chronic ear problem

Re: Cat with chronic ear problem

Malcolm Ness — Wed, 03 Jul 2013 14:50:47 GMT

Everybody knows that LWR is a rubbish operation that never works...........

............... unless you are one of the experienced practitioner/surgeons who have used the procedure to good effect in many cases over many years PROVIDED case selection is good and the surgery is competently performed.

LWR will not cure the primary disease but it will (as Michael, Evelyn and others know) ventilate and drain so that any wax falls away and doesn't accumulate and any moisture-loving bugs can't thrive. Furthermore, application of topicals to the remaining skin is much easier when you aren't squirting down a hole.

One note of caution wrt this case - typically chronic otitis leads to cartilage metaplasia/calcification rather than the softening reported. You might have some additional pathology here.

Re: Cat with chronic ear problem

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Wed, 03 Jul 2013 14:41:21 GMT

I'm just a surgeon, me, so I think lateral wall resection is great.

In this particular case I'd be cautious about suggesting it's the answer, though. The question is, why is the ear so over-productive?

As for "compliance", what about doing the cleaning drops in the surgery, say every other or every third day?

Re: Cat with chronic ear problem

Colin Buchan — Wed, 03 Jul 2013 13:56:56 GMT

I have had the cat sedated a couple of times to flush its ears out and could see right down to an intact tympanic membrane and definately no polyps. Just been having a look at the Vetruus products, will give them a try I think. Im not sure owner compliance is that great as the lady is disabled and walks with a stick but she does try her best to get the ear preps in, but cant really deal with the cat if it struggles, hence why looking for something less irritating and hopefully a more compliant cat!

Re: Cat with chronic ear problem

Anthony Dennison — Wed, 03 Jul 2013 13:47:44 GMT

The Vetruus ear cleaning products, such as Otodine, are great for clearing up waxy crud, much better than epi-otic or cleanaural IME.

Re: Cat with chronic ear problem

Kate Richardson — Wed, 03 Jul 2013 13:46:44 GMT

I agree with Michael. I am surprised that the cat and (the owner) has tolerated this for so long. Compliance may be an issue as well, even if the owner swears blind they are medicating as often as advised and actually getting the cleaner/ear drops where they need to be, through no fault of their own. There must be an underlying cause- have you managed to examine the ear canal right down to the tympanic membrane thoroughly with the cat conscious? Or does the discharge obscure your view. I would second polyps if so. But am sure the cat is fed up by now, so I would be looking at surgery as well.

Re: Cat with chronic ear problem

Michael Woodhouse — Wed, 03 Jul 2013 12:37:59 GMT

Get it open to the air. Lateral wall resection. Polyps in the horizontal canal common in cats.

I recently saw a cat that came from a different practice. 10+ A4 pages of ear history, every treatment on the shelf. I did a LWR and removed polyp and cat cured. You could smell the cat from the waiting room.

There comes a point where medical therapy has failed you need to escalate treatment. You'll never be wrong increasing drainage and having a good luck.

Re: Cat with chronic ear problem

zoe north — Wed, 03 Jul 2013 12:31:11 GMT

Hi Colin,

I had a similar problem earlier this year with a Bernese Mountain dog that had also just undergone a Mandibulectomy (same side as affected ear). She had a profuse over growth of Malassezia on culture and then reacted to any topical ear treatments trialed. Suspected reaction to any "conazole" type tx even though had been fine with previously. I convinced her owners to trial her with a hypoallergenic diet (not easy with size of dog!), but they did stick with it. Was thinking of flammazine and saline - have used previously, but trialed clorexyderm spot gel by Vetruss. Worked really well, admitted her for day and made sure no adverse reaction. Note says only to be used with intact ear drum! Vetruus now have an ear specific product but that contains salicylic acid. Incidentally have used this spot gel on some other rumbling minor skin issues including bulldog folds and feet, seemed to work really well. I wonder if its the Lanolin that helps lessen irritation. Hope this is of help.

Re: Cat with chronic ear problem

Braden Collins — Wed, 03 Jul 2013 12:26:01 GMT

I'm guessing you've treated for mites already, and discussed referral to a dermatologist. Otherwise biopsy may be useful to see if something unusual is going on.