A COCKER spaniel is cock-a-hoop after ear cancer fears were allayed by specialists at a Solihull veternary hospital.
Fifteen-year-old former Crufts competitor Henry was referred to Linnaeus-owned Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral Service in Solihull after an unidentified mass was discovered in his right ear.
Henry was assessed by Erika Villedieu, a European specialist in small animal surgery, and Tania Rodrigues, RCVS and European specialist in dermatology, to examine the mass which had caused a severe ear infection.
Erika said: “A mass had grown inside his right ear and was causing obstruction of the ear canal, leading to a severe ear infection and a slight head tilt.
“Aggressive medical management was initially attempted but it quickly became clear that this would not resolve the problem given the presence of the mass.
“Instead, we decided to carry out surgery to remove the ear canal, all the while considering the extra challenge of the procedure due to Henry’s age.”
Delighted owner Lindsay Woodward said: “Henry’s getting on brilliantly. I can’t believe how well actually.
“He’s had his stitches out and the nurses were really pleased with the wounds – you wouldn’t even know there should be an earhole there.
“It looks perfect and his hair is starting to grow back as well. He’s started trying to jump on the furniture, which he hasn’t done for months, he’s sleeping better and is really waggy again.
“He can still hear the fridge open so there’s no reduction in quality of life and it is ‘turbo mode’ on the way home from walks still.”
