Replacement Ear

The inside lining of the ear is normally smooth with a small amount of wax buildup. Many problems can cause the ears to be irritated, inflamed and/or infected. Any of these causes left untreated can lead to more complicated problems, including middle and inner ear damage and hearing loss. Most cats let you know that their ears are uncomfortable by scratching, shaking and/or tilting their heads.

CAUSES

Ear mites are most common in ear problems adult cats and puppies. These microscopic mites have hairs on their body that irritate the ears. They are also responsible for the itching and the dark brown, coffee-like residue. Mites live primarily within the ear canal. They can also live outside of the ear and on other parts of the cats body, they do not infest your home.

* Trauma to the ear from foreign materials like plant seeds or over-aggressive cleaning can also cause pain and inflammation of the ears.

* Flea allergies can occasionally involve the ears.

* Allergic reactions to pollen, mold, and dust are not common in ears. Ear infections associated with allergies often recur until the underlying cause of the allergy is determined and treated.

SYMPTOMS

* Scratch ears often.

* Shake or tilt head.

* Odor and/or discharge from ears.

WHAT YOUR VET CAN DO

* Diagnosis involves examining a sample of the ear discharge under the microscope. This is called a Cytology and will identify the problem. The most effective treatment will be determined according to whether mites, yeast or bacteria are present.

* Ear mites can also live outside of the ear, on other parts of your cat’s body. Flea control products can help to manage this problem.

* Instead of using eardrops to treat mite infections, you can now purchase a new topical treatment called Revolution (selamectin), applied onto the skin at 30 day intervals, which controls fleas, ticks, heartworms, intestinal worms and ear mites for cats and dogs.

* To prevent ear problems, check your cat’s ears regularly. Only use products recommended by your vet to clean your cat’s ears, and never clean any deeper than you can see.

* Long-term and/or recurrent ear infections may require a culture to pinpoint the exact agent responsible and the medication best suited to eliminate the infection.

NOTE: An otoscope is designed and illuminated to allow complete visualization of the ear canal

HEMATOMA (BLOODCLOT) OF THE EAR

* Hematomas usually occur as a result of self-inflicted trauma to the ear. Many cats vigorously Itch their ears because of a persistent underlying ear mite problem. A blood vessel in the earflap ruptures which causes bleeding into the earflap tissue. Treatment usually requires surgical

removal of blood clots and drainage of blood under anesthesia. Hematomas tend to recur until the underlying problem is eliminated because the cats continue to traumatize their ears by itching. Many ears scar down into an abnormal appearance.

TREATMENT

Milbemycin, is the active ingredient in Sentinel, a tablet given monthly to prevent heartworms, fleas, intestinal worms, and ear mites in cats. Selamectin is the active ingredient in Revolution, approved in cats, a monthly product that kills ear mites and walking dandruff mites, and prevents heartworms and fleas. New monthly flea preventative products have replaced ear drops to treat ear mites.

COMPLEMENTARY EAR TREATMENTS

Yeast Infections: Mixing equal parts of white vinegar and water (50:50) makes a good ear cleaning solution for yeast.

Bacterial Ear Infections: Garlic can be added to the diet only occasionally, continual high doses can cause anemia:

* Garlic has antibacterial and antifungal effects.

HERBALEAR REMEDIES

* Mullein (Verbascom thapsus)

* Mucilage or Sapenins have a demilucent effect.

* Use topically for bacterial ear infections.

* Calendula makes an effective ear cleaning solution: Mix one teaspoon of Calendula with a teaspoon sea salt and one cup of water.

* Calendula Oil is soothing to red inflamed ears. Apply two drops into ears once daily.

* To eliminate ear mites, Yellow Duck (Rumex crispus) two drops every 3rd day for three to six weeks.

HOMEOPATHIC EAR REMEDIES

For red, irritated ears try Pulsatilla (6c Windflower) one pellet every third day for two weeks. Withhold food ten minutes before and after treatment. Sepia officinalis (30C) two whole or three crushed pellets by mouth twice a day for three days then once a week, until the ears are healed. Helpful with itching and head shaking.

VESTIBULAR (MIDDLE EAR) DISEASE

Long-term and/or recurrent ear infections can spread to involve the middle ear. The middle ear houses nerves, called Vestibular nerves, which are responsible for balance and equilibrium. If these nerves are irritated, cats can lose their balance, tilt their heads, stagger and often fall over. This is called Vestibular Disease. Some cases are associated with ear infections and rarely brain tumors are responsible but the cause in most cases is unknown or idiopathic. The term Idiopathic Vestibular Disease is used in these cases.

DIAGNOSIS

X-rays are initially used to evaluate the middle ear. The bone housing the middle ear is called the Tympanic bulla and is located within the brain. The series of x-rays taken in this case, is respectively called a “Bulla Series”. A CAT scan or MRI are more sensitive imaging techniques that may be necessary to allow visualization of this area of the brain if the x-rays are inconclusive.

Typically, most cases of Idiopathic Vestibular Syndrome occur for some as of yet unknown reason in the spring and fall. Cats suddenly tilt their heads and begin staggering, for no apparent reason. Cats generally improve within 72 hours and symptoms usually resolve in a couple weeks. Occasionally the head tilt persists.

About the Author:

Copyright 2007 Dr. Carol Osborne

Get FREE pet advice from Dr. Carol at http://CarolonPets.com/

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Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Ear Problems in Cats: Causes and Treatment

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There are 31.70 million (52.84%) persons of 60 million deaf people in India suffering due to various types of middle ear disease, such as:

• Ø Otosclerosis

It is defined as abnormal bone growth in the ear, which can lead to hearing loss. It may be an inherited disorder resulting in abnormal bone hardening in the middle ear and inner ear at times. There are 10.19 million (32.14%) from 31.70 billion persons suffering from diseases of otosclerosis in India.   

• Ø Cholesteatoma

Cholesteatoma is a disease of the ear in which a skin cyst becomes the middle ear and mastoid. There are 6.42 million (20.24%) of 31.70 million who suffer from diseases cholesteatoma in India.

• Ø chronic otitis media

Otitis media means inflammation of the ear means. Inflammation occurs as a result of middle ear infection. Can occur in one or both ears. Otitis media is the most frequent diagnosis recorded for children who visit physicians for illness. There are 12.45 million (39.30%) of the 31.70 million who suffer from chronic otitis media diseases in India.

Remaining 2.64 million (8.32%) from a total of 31.70 million who suffer from other types of middle ear disease in India.

TREATMENT DISEASES OF THE MIDDLE EAR

For many years surgical treatment was instituted in middle ear disease mainly to restore sound conduction to control the infection and prevent serious complications. Changes in surgical techniques have now made it possible to reconstruct the mechanism of hearing of patients in most cases. Various tissue grafts may be used to replace or repair the eardrum. A diseased ear bone may be replaced by a prosthesis the middle ear. The middle ear disease can be treated with various types of surgical treatment or procedures as Ossiculoplasty, Stapedioplasty and Myringoplasty.

The hearing of the goal of surgical treatment is better, more typical of conversational speech. Ossiculoplasty / Stapedioplasty surgery is performed to improve or maintain the portion of conductive hearing loss. The aim of ossiculoplasty / surgery is to reconstruct stapedioplasty malfunction ossicles (chain of three bones Malleus ie, anvil and stirrup) in the middle ear cavity. Myringoplasty surgery is performed to ventilate the middle ear, to avoid accumulating fluid and prevent infection of the middle ear cavity. All above mentioned surgical procedures take about an hour and in most cases the Patients are discharged after 24-36 hours.

During the 1960s in the early stages of development of surgical treatments, attempts were made to use biological materials such as cartilage or the remnants of the ossicles ossicular to create substitutes. These materials are called auto-graft and homo-grafts materials, as were obtained from the person and donor, respectively, who received treatment.

Working on the development of superior implant materials was continued until the 1970s, when bioactive materials were prepared. Its name comes from its chemical structure, chemical that promotes adhesion between tissue and implant, eliminating the need for Auto-and homo-grafts.

From 1970 until now, various types of materials have been used for the reconstruction of ossicular chain, such as gold, stainless steel, platinum, hydroxyapatite, Teflon, polyethylene, glass ionomer cement and titanium.

However, recently, The new trend began to perform surgery Ossiculoplasty, Stapedioplasty and Myringoplasty based titanium middle ear implants. Titanium implants are widely used in cardiovascular surgery, spine, orthopedic and dental surgery and in plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Titanium – the metal CHOICE

The selection of titanium for implantation is determined by a combination of the more favorable characteristics including immunity to corrosion, high biocompatibility, strength, low modulus and density and high capacity to bind to bone and other tissue – osseointegration.

Animal experiments in Western countries have shown that titanium can be implemented over a period long time. Histopathological examinations have failed to reveal the cellular changes adjacent to titanium implants. And also careful examination of adjacent tissues to titanium revealed neither giant cells or macrophages, or other signs of inflammation. Due to these reasons, the Titanium is rapidly becoming the "metal of choice "for many medical applications, as well as Ossiculoplasty, Stapedioplasty and Myringoplasty surgeries.

Also patients with titanium implants may suffer from medical MRI-investigations without any significant adverse effects. Titanium meets all requirements of the driving the perfect sound from the outer ear to inner ear, and also meets all requirements for myringoplasty surgery is becoming a more favorable material as treatments for ear surgery.

About the Author:

Author: Sandip Savaliya; Siddharth Rakholiya; Anand Marar; research & developement Deptt, EON Meditech Pvt. Ltd.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Current Trends In Middle Ear Surgery Ossiculoplasty And Stapedioplasty With Titanium Prostheses