February 2009 - Roxy Chisholm
'Ere 'ere Roxy
Roxy, a 1 year old black Domestic Long Hair cat was presented with an inflamed and infected ear. On examination of the ear the vet found that Roxy was suffering from an ear polyp (a benign, pedunculated growth arising from a mucous membrane).
It was decided that surgical removal of the polyp would be necessary. Roxy was initially given a week’s course of broad spectrum antibiotics to reduce the inflammation and infection in the ear before surgery.
Roxy was given a general anaesthetic and prepared for surgery. Subcutaneous fluids were administered to help support her through the procedure. The decision was made to carry out a total ear ablation, this where the outer ear and the lining of the middle ear are surgically removed, leaving Roxy without hearing in the ear. This surgery is extremely delicate due to the facial and sympathetic nerves running so close to surgical field. Once the external auditory canal and inner auditory canal had been removed the ear was flushed to remove any debris before a Penrose drain was placed and the wound was closed with sutures.
On recovery from the surgery Roxy was showing signs of Horners syndrome (dysfunction of the sympathetic nerve affecting the eye) this meant her pupil was remaining constricted and unable to dilate. This is quite a common side affect of the surgery and will normally in time correct itself. An ear bandage was placed over the ear to prevent haemorrhage, allowing the drain to remain free.
A couple hours after surgery Roxy was purring and enjoying a lot of cuddles even with a slight head tilt. She tucked into her food as if nothing had happened although her Elizabethan collar did get in her way!
Three days later Roxy was allowed home. Despite her major surgery Roxy remained a bright and loving cat, even if a little deaf!
