I'd
like to start off saying it's not easy to put this up on the
internet. It's a very personal and emotional time in our lives. I
learned after this I wasn't alone I wanted to share my experience
with others. I get emails often from this site on tripod that I
decided to move it over to my server.
People just want to know they aren't alone
in dealing with this, and you aren't.
I can't say enough that I must
have tried everything under the sun and spent thousands of dollars
to help Tybee. This surgery changed all our lives. I wouldn't just
go recommend this surgery for any dog having these problems either.
You have to talk with your vet and do a lot of research.
If you are reading this and
are thinking to yourself the vet said you need to have this surgery
for your dog (cocker or other) and you know it's going to take away
his/her hearing and that really bothers you. Let me sit here and tell you that this tore me
apart too. Tybee was 2 months shy of turning 4 and here I had to make the call
to take out her ear drums, whole middle and ear canals. When I did
finally commit I never looked back. Sure I was scared she wouldn't
come home, or she wouldn't be my Tybee anymore. She was at the vet's
for 4 days and I was there every day after she woke up, hand feeding
her chicken and rice I had made. Her ears all wrapped up and
drainage all over her fur. The painkillers were so strong she
couldn't stand up straight and walk. I'd have to help her, but you
know through all that she knew me. They said that she could "hear"
my voice in the next room over and get all worked up best she could.
From the moment I brought her home excepting a deaf dog and having
to change our lives to accommodate this she did nothing but
impress us. People didn't know she's deaf, I would have to tell them and
they didn't believe me until I showed them her ears. She can hear my
voice, the doorbell, the TV, the phone, feel vibrations like the
garage door opening and even if I get up out of a chair. They will
surprise you. The pain is gone and their quality of life is so much
better.
Tybee did get the occasional
yeast infection on one ear flap but I control it better than before.
Her body's immune system just couldn't stabilize it's levels and
that's why she was on such a strict allergy diet.
If anything let this story be
an example of what happens when people don't think when they breed
their dogs. All of Tybee's problems are genetic and of course I have
her spayed. Her 'breeder' would never return a phone call or letter.
Please don't think
this surgery lead to Tybee's passing, because it didn't. This
surgery gave Tybee a real life until other illnesses took her from
us. Illnesses that most cockers don't have to deal with all
together.
Hug your dogs for me.
~Gina, Sept 2005
Tybee ~ February 2004
You know I can't say your experience will be like mine
or your dog will bounce back like mine did but I sure hope so. I don't
think Tybee was rare, but since I had never experience anything like
this it was rare to me. Some people have asked me about side effects of
the surgery I experienced.
Tybee's side effects and frequently asked questions:
Face Paralysis? ~ yes but
temporary. One side of her face drooped and she couldn't blink one
eye. I had to put eye drops in her eyes for a few weeks and constantly
clean drool off one side of her mouth because her lip hung down. About
3 weeks later she was back to normal. The nerves had healed
themselves! Some dogs do experience permanent paralysis though. Ask
your vet how many times he/she has done this surgery and for some
statistics on paralysis on their patients.
Skin rashes?~ no, but in one ear I
had to keep fighting these yeast infections. I believe this had to do
with her immune system.
Morphine patch for surgery? ~yes!
This was well worth the money. I had to run down the drug store to get
it for her. I remember it being like $30 but worth it for her sake.
When I saw her after the surgery and I was so thankful I gave
her all the painkillers I could. I really suggest it. I know if I was
them I'd want it.
After surgery suggestions?~ just lots of love
and cook them boiled chicken and rice. It's easier for them to chew
after the surgery that crunchy kibble. Tybee had to have an IV for
several days and had to stay an extra day because she wasn't eating. I
cooked her chicken and rice and went there and hand feed it to her
piece by piece. I also took her some toys and a blankie with my
scent on it. She had to stay there 4 days without me but I was there
everyday to see her. I had her new toys waiting for her when she got
home. ;-)
PLEASE STOP BACK YARD BREEDERS AND PUPPYMILLS (pet store dogs) AND
DO NOT BUY FROM THEM.
Do your research on a
breeder and you increase your chances of a healthier dog and
decrease the demand for just anyone to breed their dogs. I don't
understand why everyone with a male or female things they NEED to
breed them. Tybee paid the ultimate price for that and she didn't
deserve one second of it.
