oakway Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 Lovely to hear that everything went well. Once he is fully recovered you will really notice a difference in the lad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westiemum Posted November 30, 2009 Author Share Posted November 30, 2009 Thanks oakway and everyone - just heard from the surgeon - Mac is waking up from the GA, very groggy, all went well, the facial nerve seems fine on initial indications (he's blinking), the ear canal has been removed and the putrid middle ear cavity drained. He has a drain in, is on big-time pain killers, they are culturing the pus from the middle ear cavity (it was full of it) to see if some antibiotic treatment will help and he'll be at the vets for a couple of days. I would love to go and see him but I think he'll be too distressed when I leave so I'll just see him when I collect him. This is one very relieved westiemum! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OSoSwift Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 That sounds great, he will be much happier once he is healed. Can't even imagine living with a middle ear like that - ouch! What a stoic boy he must be. Loves and cuddles from us Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ridgiemum Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 Hi Everyone,Well sadly for my stoic boy the pseudomonas is back - and with a vengeance. So he had a huge flush out under GA on Monday afternoon - and although it went well apparently the putrid rubbish that came out was incredible... the tympanic membrane is ruptured (and not in good shape anyway) and apparently there's evidence that the infection has been behind the ear drum all the time which explains why the wretched thing keeps coming back. In other words this is not just chronic ear infection but serious chronic middle ear disease. We have done a culture again, results in today and it seems we are going to have trouble finding an oral medication this time which he isn't resistant to... but the vet is doing some research tonight and we'll talk tomorrow. In the meantime his pain is well controlled except when the dermotic drops are inserted in the ear (the pain behaviours all escalate and he's miserable...) It looks like we are heading for major surgery - removal of the ear canal, drum and the middle ear cavity. If it means that my boy will be pain free and off this constant parade of medication then I think we have got to the stage where we need to go ahead... So... does anyone have any experience with this type of surgery? How successful was it? (I'm not worried about how I'm going to pay for it - that's what equity in the mortgage is for). Any help or advice would be really appreciated... as he's not the only one feeling very 'flat' about the prospect of surgery... Thanks everyone, Cheers, Westiemum :rolleyes: My first ridgeback had both ears done, she was great after, a bit deaf, but otherwise fine & no more annoying infections. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westiemum Posted December 1, 2009 Author Share Posted December 1, 2009 Thanks ridgiemum, I've rung the vet this morning and he's flat but fine, as to be expected after major surgery and a GA and on track to come home tomorrow. Thanks for all of you encouragement. I'm sure he will be much better with the pain ultimately gone and me not chasing him around the house with a syringe full of drops 2-3 times a day. Hi Everyone,Well sadly for my stoic boy the pseudomonas is back - and with a vengeance. So he had a huge flush out under GA on Monday afternoon - and although it went well apparently the putrid rubbish that came out was incredible... the tympanic membrane is ruptured (and not in good shape anyway) and apparently there's evidence that the infection has been behind the ear drum all the time which explains why the wretched thing keeps coming back. In other words this is not just chronic ear infection but serious chronic middle ear disease. We have done a culture again, results in today and it seems we are going to have trouble finding an oral medication this time which he isn't resistant to... but the vet is doing some research tonight and we'll talk tomorrow. In the meantime his pain is well controlled except when the dermotic drops are inserted in the ear (the pain behaviours all escalate and he's miserable...) It looks like we are heading for major surgery - removal of the ear canal, drum and the middle ear cavity. If it means that my boy will be pain free and off this constant parade of medication then I think we have got to the stage where we need to go ahead... So... does anyone have any experience with this type of surgery? How successful was it? (I'm not worried about how I'm going to pay for it - that's what equity in the mortgage is for). Any help or advice would be really appreciated... as he's not the only one feeling very 'flat' about the prospect of surgery... :laugh: Thanks everyone, Cheers, Westiemum My first ridgeback had both ears done, she was great after, a bit deaf, but otherwise fine & no more annoying infections. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ari.g Posted December 1, 2009 Share Posted December 1, 2009 Glad to hear surgery went well. Hoping for a smooth recovery and pain free days Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westiemum Posted December 3, 2009 Author Share Posted December 3, 2009 Thank you everyone - I had to leave for Melbourne on Tuesday afternoon after Mac had his surgery on Monday morning and came back last night. My mother very kindly picked Mac up from the vet late yesterday afternoon and he was home when I got home from the airport two hours later - and we were so pleased to see each other!! (I genuinely don't know who was more pleased...) - anyway he is on Tramal drops for pain relief, some covering antibiotics, and Metacam, an anti-inflammatory. The dog-sitting mother was unavailable this morning so Mac came into the office with me for the morning and attended a major project meeting! He was a very good boy. He is certainly improving really rapidly - much brighter eyed, eating and weing well and not letting me out of his sight (that's not unusual) He has gained a few more Aunties and Uncles in the office many who offered to babysit him... Will post some photos in the morning... now I've got over what he looks like, it might be useful for anyone else facing the same thing. Thanks again for your support and kindness - much appreciated. Now we're all off to bed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OSoSwift Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 That sounds great - tough little boy. Give yourself and your boy a big hug from us all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westiemum Posted December 4, 2009 Author Share Posted December 4, 2009 Not for the squeamish... Here's the boy taken last night and this morning. The vet decided not to take the drain out this morning - possibly tomorrow. He's very well, happy in himself and although the wounds look grim, they are actualy very clean and healing well... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westiemum Posted December 4, 2009 Author Share Posted December 4, 2009 And another couple... I think the wound/incision is quite small considering the surgery is major and the whole ear canal and middle ear cavity were removed... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westiemum Posted December 4, 2009 Author Share Posted December 4, 2009 (edited) Sorry... double post Edited December 4, 2009 by westiemum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westiemum Posted December 4, 2009 Author Share Posted December 4, 2009 And a clearer one... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OSoSwift Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 (edited) That is a wonderful job! I think it is looking great - but I'm not sqeemish! :p I am sure he will be so much better. I would be very happy with your vet, looks great and when all hair hair has grown back, you would be hard pressed to know it had been done. Edited December 4, 2009 by Rommi n Lewis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 It's looking good! here's to pain and pus free days now :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westiemum Posted December 4, 2009 Author Share Posted December 4, 2009 (edited) Thanks Rommi n Lewis and Persephone - yes I'm so thrilled he's doing so well. Yes I said to one of my regular vets this morning to please thank the surgeon again - I think he's done a brilliant job. :p And P you're no kidding about pain and pus free days - the thought of not having to constantly pour stuff down his ear again will be a God-send for him in particluar - and me as well! ETA: One of the long standing very good vet nurses this morning said she was amazed at how well he was doing after 'such long, major surgery'. Not sure how long it took but i got the impression it took most of the morning. Edited December 4, 2009 by westiemum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ari.g Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 Good to hear he is recovering well :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westiemum Posted December 26, 2009 Author Share Posted December 26, 2009 (edited) Hi Everyone, Just wanted to show you Mac's post operative progress. I think he's doing brilliantly - no post surgical complications at all - and he is so much happier - and 'bouncey'! . These photos were taken this afternoon - 3 weeks and 5 days post op. He had a clip on Christmas Eve - and we decided to 'even him up'! So now he looks like a schnauzer or a white version of a scotty!! But I think he's still a very handsome boy!! Thanks again to everyone for your interest, support and good wishes, during what has been a very long journey since January this year Cheers, Westiemum and Mac. Edited December 26, 2009 by westiemum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted December 26, 2009 Share Posted December 26, 2009 He looks great! Thanks for letting us see the 'new, improved' version Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westiemum Posted December 26, 2009 Author Share Posted December 26, 2009 Thanks persephone - yes I think he looks great too - and yes he'll eventually look like a westie again - and I just can't get over how well he has healed - particularly considering it was a 4 hour op and accompanying GA - really quite remarkable. Apparently it caused quite a stir at the vets since it was such major surgery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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