We know it’s never easy hearing that your pet may need a surgical procedure. We're committed to helping both of you every step of the way. This guide is crafted to provide clarity on what the TECABO procedure entails and what you can expect during the recovery phase.

What is TECABO?

Total Ear Canal Ablation and Lateral Bulla Osteotomy (TECABO) is a surgical procedure performed to remove the entire ear canal and clean out the middle ear (bulla). This procedure is most commonly done to manage chronic, end-stage ear disease that has not responded to medical treatment.

Why is TECABO performed?

Chronic ear infections (otitis externa and otitis media) cause persistent pain, discomfort, and hearing impairment. Over time, these infections can lead to severe inflammation, thickening of the ear canal, and rupture of the eardrum, making treatment with medication ineffective. TECABO is recommended when medical therapy is no longer able to provide relief and improve quality of life.

The benefits of TECABO are:

• Permanent resolution of chronic pain and discomfort
• Elimination of the source of recurrent infections
• Improved quality of life
• Reduced need for ongoing medications

Common conditions that may require TECABO:

• Chronic otitis externa/media that is unresponsive to medical treatment
• Severe ear canal narrowing or calcification
• Ear tumours or polyps
• Middle ear infections leading to pain and neurological signs
• Ruptured or non-functioning eardrum

What happens during the procedure?

1. The entire ear canal is surgically removed to eliminate the source of pain and infection. This does not include the pinna and will not affect the cosmesis of your dog.
2. The lateral bulla (middle ear cavity) is opened and cleaned out to remove any infected tissue or debris.
3. The surgical site is closed and a drain placed for 12 hours.

What to expect after surgery

Your pet's comfort and swift recovery are our top priorities.

• Hospitalisation: Your pet will stay overnight, to ensure pain management, monitor their initial recovery, and address any post-surgical concerns with our 24/7 on-site team.
• Recovery Period: Your dog will require a 2-week recovery period post-surgery. During this time, it’s important to limit activity to avoid strain on the surgical site.
• Pain management: Pain relief is provided with medications, and most dogs show immediate relief from chronic pain after healing.
• Swelling and drainage: Some mild swelling and discharge from the surgical site are normal for the first few weeks.
• Hearing changes: Many dogs undergoing TECABO already have significant hearing loss due to chronic infections.
• Facial nerve weakness: Temporary facial nerve weakness (such as difficulty blinking or a slight droop on one side of the face) can occur but often resolves within weeks.
• Head tilt or balance issues: ome dogs may experience temporary balance issues due to middle ear involvement.
• In rare cases if there is a resistant infection in the middle ear a recurrent middle ear infection may occur resulting in abscessation/facial swelling. This may require further treatment. A culture sample is obtained from the middle ear during surgery and this guides an extended antibiotic course.

Long-term care and outlook

• Most dogs require an extended course of antibiotics following surgery to ensure the middle ear that remains has no further infection
• Most dogs experience a dramatic improvement in comfort and quality of life after healing.
• Once the surgical site is fully healed, no special long-term care is typically required.
• Routine veterinary check-ups are recommended to ensure overall ear health.

If your dog suffers from chronic ear infections or severe ear disease, TECABO may be the best option for long-term relief.