Please help to make it possible for Sebastian to receive life-saving bilateral TECA-BO surgery.

The term TECA-BO is an abbreviation for Total Ear Canal Ablation and Bulla Osteotomy. This surgery involves the complete removal of the ear canal and tympanic bulla (middle ear), leaving only the ear flap (pinna) remaining. Bilateral means that he needs this on both ears.

TECA-BO is recommended in cases of chronic, end-stage ear infections in which medical treatment is no longer helping the patient. This is due in Seb’s case, to a bacterial infection that is resistant to antibiotic treatment.

TECA-BO allows the infected, abnormal inner ear tissue to be removed, reducing chronic pain and inflammation and giving the pet an improved quality of life.

Seb has been suffering with ear infections and last year had surgery on both ears for two aural haematoma. After months of seeing him in pain and swab results showing antibiotic resistance, I requested a referral to a specialist from our vet. From the list available we chose the Small Animal Teaching Hospital at the University of Liverpool. I wanted Sebastian’s ear issues to help the experience of young veternary students who will be able to help our animals in the future. So far I have spent over £3000. The devastating results from his CT scan that he would need TECA surgery on both ears as a welfare priority have come at a time when I have no more savings. His CT scan also showed an enlarged lymph node, thankfully the biopsy result came back clear for that.

Despite paying £75 per month on Tesco pet insurance they are refusing to cover this operation or the amount I have already spent. I am seeking advice from the financial ombudsman to see if they are able to do that.

For those of you who know Sebastian you will know he is a happy chap who loves a good snooze and a bum sniff of other dogs. Despite being Kennel Club registered, having 5 generations of his lineage and both parents health checked clear he’s worked up quite a list of operations. At 6 months old he had an operation to remove a cherry eye, he’s had skin allergies since about 4 months old and last year, along with his two aural haematoma operations, he also lost an eye to ulcers. Throughout everything he’s been through he’s adapted so well and still loves going to the vets to get a fuss from the team there.

Seb is only 4 years old and has a lifetime of doggy adventures ahead of him once we can remove this constant pain he’s suffering from. He is a much loved family pet who brings so much joy.

Recovery after TECA surgery is surprisingly fast. Most dogs are over the worst after 2 days of surgery and due to modern pain relief drugs don’t suffer too much discomfort in those first few days in any case. By the time they return for suture removal 2 weeks later their lives have been transformed.

The specialist at Liverpool has ensured that they have given the most competitive price available in the UK of approximately £2000 per ear. Due to the extensive damage and the potential for complications this could rise, we won’t fully know the cost until the surgery and aftercare is complete.

The alternative to this surgery is not one I can think about.