TECA-BO Surgery for Chronic Ear Infections: What Pet Parents Should Know
Key takeaways:
Total ear canal ablation and bulla osteotomy (TECA-BO) is a surgery that drains the middle ear and removes the ear canal and eardrum in dogs and cats.
This surgery is an option for pets with long-lasting ear infections that no longer respond to other treatments.
Some complications can occur with TECA-BO surgery. But generally, pets recover well and don’t have future ear problems.
When pets have chronic (long-lasting) ear infections, it can feel like a hopeless situation. If your pet has ear infections that won’t go away or return quickly after treatment, your veterinarian might recommend a surgery called TECA-BO. A specialist usually performs TECA-BO surgery, which stands for total ear canal ablation and bulla osteotomy.
What is TECA-BO surgery?
TECA-BO surgery removes the parts of your pet’s ear that contribute to chronic ear infections. It’s considered a last-resort treatment for when nothing else has worked.
Dogs and cats’ ears consist of an ear canal, middle ear, and inner ear. The ear canal leads to the eardrum. Behind the eardrum is the middle ear, or the bulla. The inner ear is near the middle ear.
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TECA-BO surgery involves removing the ear canal, which is the TECA part of the surgery, and draining the middle ear, the BO part. During the surgery, all the affected tissue is removed. Any inflammatory polyps or tumors are removed. And the bone of the middle ear is opened so the middle ear can be fully cleaned.
In some cases — such as with inflammatory polyps — only a bulla osteotomy (BO) is needed. But in other situations, everything needs to be removed.
When is TECA-BO for dogs or cats recommended?
TECA-BO is generally recommended for dogs and cats with chronic ear infections that no longer respond to treatment — such as oral medication or ear drops. But that’s not the only reason your pet may need TECA-BO surgery.
Sometimes, the skin inside the ear can’t heal because it’s inflamed and scarred. In other cases, pets might have an inflammatory polyp that keeps growing back. Or they may have a tumor in the ear. These are other times when TECA-BO surgery may be recommended.
TECA-BO surgery requires working around delicate areas. Many vets may not feel comfortable performing the surgery themselves. So they might recommend you to a specialist.
What is the recovery process from TECA-BO surgery?
Recovery from TECA-BO surgery can take 2 to 4 weeks. Your pet may get sent home from the surgery with bandages on their ear. In some cases, vets also leave a drain in place. Your vet will instruct you on how to properly remove the bandages and the drain if needed.
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Your pet will also be sent home with antibiotics and pain medication. Usually, dogs and cats need to take antibiotics for 2 to 4 weeks after surgery.
You should limit your pet’s exercise and activity levels while they recover. And an E-collar should be used to prevent your pet from scratching their ear for the duration of their recovery.
What are the most common complications of TECA-BO surgery?
TECA-BO involves doing surgery on sensitive areas. There are some complications that can happen after or during the procedure, including:
A broken vein during surgery
Blood loss to the external ear
Cholesteatoma, a noncancerous growth in the middle ear
Excessive drainage from the incision
Temporary facial paralysis, which can be permanent in rare cases
Throat swelling
Most of the time, TECA-BO surgery is successful. The chance of ear problems coming back after the surgery is low. But in some cases, a pet’s hearing may get worse after the procedure.
How much does TECA-BO surgery cost?
The cost of TECA-BO surgery depends on where you live. It also depends on whether one or both of your pet’s ears require the surgery. The cost could range from $2,000 to more than $4,000. And if there are complications during the surgery, that could increase the cost.
The bottom line
Total ear canal ablation and bulla osteotomy (TECA-BO) is a surgery that removes a dog or cat’s ear canal and eardrum and drains the middle ear. It’s used when chronic ear infections don’t respond to other treatments anymore. TECA-BO surgery may also be recommended to remove polyps or tumors from your dog or cat’s ear.
Recovery from the surgery can take up to 4 weeks. TECA-BO surgery could lead to some complications. But, usually, it’s a success. And the chances of your pet having further ear problems is low.
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References
Brooks, W. (2022). Total ear canal ablation and ventral bulla osteotomy (TECA) for end-stage ears in dogs and cats. Veterinary Partner.
Pet Insurance Quotes. (n.d.). Ear canal ablation in cats.
Veterinary Surgery Service Inc. (n.d.). TECA BO (total ear canal ablation with lateral bulla osteotomy).
Weir, M., et al. (n.d.). Total ear canal ablation and bulla osteotomy (TECA-BO). VCA Animal Hospitals.
