Veterinary Surgery in Irmo, SC
Total Ear Canal Ablation / Lateral Bulla Osteotomy
A Total Ear Canal Ablation or TECA is used to describe a procedure used to manage severe canal or middle ear disease in dogs where other methods of treatment have failed. The full name of the procedure is Total Ear Canal Ablation with Lateral Bulla Osteotomy (TECA + LBO) but most surgeons use the term TECA for convenience. Many pet owners expect their dog’s hearing to be reduced after surgery, due to the removal of the ear drum. Suprisingly, this is not always the case. In many cases, the ear canal is so diseased by the time a surgery such as TECA is being considered, owners notice little change in their dog’s ability to hear after surgery.
Anal Sacculectomy - Anal Gland Removal
An anal sacculectomy is a surgery performed on pets with a history of anal sac infection, or cancer within the glands of the anal sacs. Signs that your pet may have a problem include licking around anus, chasing the tail, scooting, reluctance to sit or general discomfort. Reocurrent abscesses or impactions can occur when the anal sacs do not empty well. Each infection may cause progressive scarring and narrowing of the ducts, leading to even more frequent occurrences. This procedure is delicate and specialized, and should only be considered when traditional therapy has failed.
Medial Patellar Luxation Repair
The term luxating means 'out of place' or 'dislocated'. Therefore, a luxating patella is a kneecap that moves out of its normal location. Pet owners may notice a skip in their dog’s step or see their dog run on three legs. Then suddenly they will be back on all four legs as if nothing happened. Surgery should be performed if your dog has recurrent or persistent lameness or if other knee injuries occur secondary to the luxating patella. Grade I patellar luxations are not usually surgically repaired, but Grades II-IV are. You can click on the picture to learn more about patellar luxation and repair
Perineal Urethrostomy
The bladder collects urine from the kidneys and contracts to expel its contents during urination via a tube called the urethra. In some cats, mucous plugs, crystals and stones can become lodged in the urethra of a male cat, which results in urinary obstruction - and if severely or repeatedly blocked, a perineal urethrostomy may be recommended. The perineal urethrostomy essentially removes the narrow terminal portion of the urethra located within the penis. Urinary blockage is an emergency; therefore, it is essential to have this condition treated immediately.
