My eight year old cocker spaniel has chronic ear infects. The vet wants to
do a surgery to clean out the ear canal that would make the dog completely
deaf. She hears something now , like the door bell and seems to enjoy that.
The vet said that there is no alternative to fix the problem. Can anyone
suggest an alternative? Larry

My eight year old cocker spaniel has chronic ear infects. The vet wants to
do a surgery to clean out the ear canal that would make the dog completely
deaf. She hears something now , like the door bell and seems to enjoy
that. The vet said that there is no alternative to fix the problem. Can
anyone suggest an alternative? Larry

You've ruled out food allergy?

Flappy eared dogs can get more ear infections than others, but why would a
cleaning make him deaf? There is a special ear flush that is done under
anesthesia, but it doesn't mean deafness. Sounds like another opinion is in
order.

-Sharon

"Sharon Too" wrote in message
...
Flappy eared dogs can get more ear infections than others, but why would a
cleaning make him deaf?

......probably ear ablation. I'd certainly get a second opinion.

buglady
take out the dog before replying

Why would it make him deaf? I would seek out another opinion. There
may be a risk of him becoming so but that doesn't mean it will be
certain.

On Fri, 16 Feb 2007 10:31:04 GMT, "L. D. Mormino" wrote:

My eight year old cocker spaniel has chronic ear infects. The vet wants to
do a surgery to clean out the ear canal that would make the dog completely
deaf.

Completely deaf???

She hears something now , like the door bell and seems to enjoy that.
The vet said that there is no alternative to fix the problem.

What problem? Did the vet render a diagnosis?

Can anyone
suggest an alternative? Larry

Might wanna try the following:

1.) Call the vet. Request an "Official Diagnosis". Write it down.
2.) See if you can find it on https://app.vetconnect.com/5min/toc/000.htm.
If so, see what it says re deafness. Post diagnosis here if you
can't find/comprehend it.
3.) Get a 2nd opinion (per pervious responses) from a well respected vet.

Also suggest you learn to properly care for your dogs ears. No trivial
matter for some spaniels.

My Eng. Springer ('83-'96) had comparable (to Cockers) blanket/comforter-
type ears and all manner of problems. Never heard of deafness (not caused
by old age), 'tho.

Puddin'


"Life is nothing but a competition to be the criminal rather
than the victim."
- Bertrand Russell

"silvercelt" wrote in message
oups.com...
Why would it make him deaf?

http://www.vetsurgerycentral.com/ear_ablation.htm

buglady
take out the dog before replying

The buglady has got it right and the site is exactly what the vet plans to
do. I don't feel comfortable about having such an extensive surgery done on
the dog with the complications that can follow. In addition to the estimated
cost of at least $2500, the dog will be changed. I don't know any
alternatives but plan to see another vet. Thanks, to all . Larry

"L. D. Mormino" wrote in message
ink.net...
My eight year old cocker spaniel has chronic ear infects. The vet wants to
do a surgery to clean out the ear canal that would make the dog completely
deaf. She hears something now , like the door bell and seems to enjoy
that. The vet said that there is no alternative to fix the problem. Can
anyone suggest an alternative? Larry

All this business of calcification/tumors in the -middle- ear is
very much news to po' me.

It might help a bit to take a look at:

http://www.vin.com/proceedings/Proce...8758&O=Generic

Particularly the section on "Which Procedure To Perform".

Best,
Puddin'

On Sat, 17 Feb 2007 10:50:21 GMT, "L. D. Mormino" wrote:

The buglady has got it right and the site is exactly what the vet plans to
do. I don't feel comfortable about having such an extensive surgery done on
the dog with the complications that can follow. In addition to the estimated
cost of at least $2500, the dog will be changed. I don't know any
alternatives but plan to see another vet. Thanks, to all . Larry

"L. D. Mormino" wrote in message
link.net...
My eight year old cocker spaniel has chronic ear infects. The vet wants to
do a surgery to clean out the ear canal that would make the dog completely
deaf. She hears something now , like the door bell and seems to enjoy
that. The vet said that there is no alternative to fix the problem. Can
anyone suggest an alternative? Larry



"Life is nothing but a competition to be the criminal rather
than the victim."
- Bertrand Russell

Thanks Puddin'Man - That is a very good article. Larry

"Puddin' Man" wrote in message
...
All this business of calcification/tumors in the -middle- ear is
very much news to po' me.

It might help a bit to take a look at:

http://www.vin.com/proceedings/Proce...8758&O=Generic

Particularly the section on "Which Procedure To Perform".

Best,
Puddin'

On Sat, 17 Feb 2007 10:50:21 GMT, "L. D. Mormino"
wrote:

The buglady has got it right and the site is exactly what the vet plans to
do. I don't feel comfortable about having such an extensive surgery done
on
the dog with the complications that can follow. In addition to the
estimated
cost of at least $2500, the dog will be changed. I don't know any
alternatives but plan to see another vet. Thanks, to all . Larry

"L. D. Mormino" wrote in message
hlink.net...
My eight year old cocker spaniel has chronic ear infects. The vet wants
to
do a surgery to clean out the ear canal that would make the dog
completely
deaf. She hears something now , like the door bell and seems to enjoy
that. The vet said that there is no alternative to fix the problem. Can
anyone suggest an alternative? Larry



"Life is nothing but a competition to be the criminal rather
than the victim."
- Bertrand Russell

had a cocker with the same problem they did the ear cleaning ( and she
didnt go deaf ) and that didnt help so they did a reverse ear crop still
no relife. after taking her to another Vet and finding out she was a
thyroid dog with skin irratations and ears that produced a lot of wax.
he put her on thyroid meds gave a heavy based ear cleaner to use weekly
then suggested useing equal amounts of water and vinger in her ear once
a week the ear infections stoped and we went for yrs without ear
infections.most cockers are prone to ear infections due to the flat ears