Bailey needs surgery...

Ooh, poor Bailey! That sounds so awful for him. I really hope that the surgery clears up his ear trouble.
 
You mentioned that you don't like the vet. Would it be possible to get a second opinion from another vet in the area? That might make you feel better about the surgery. Or you may find out there's something else you could do for Bailey instead of surgery.
 
If he does have surgery, though, we'll all be thinking about him! Please keep us updated on how he's doing.

In the first two weeks I had Witt, he developed huge hematomas on each ear. He didn't have an ear infection..it happened because when he was playing with our other dog he was biting and pulling on his ears. I didn't make that connection right away..when they played, nobody was crying out or anything. Dooley now knows what "no ears" means.
Witt did have the surgery..although there are lots of opinions on how to handle these hematomas, and not everyone thinks surgery is the answer. it's what I did with Witt. My vet said it depends on the dog and the hematoma..but in Witt's case, having itty bitty ears, the hematoma was one big one on each ear and they completely covered each ear. He looked like he had balloons for ears. He has never had a reoccurance, thankfully. The surgery and recovery were NO FUN! He was miserable, had to wear a cone for a long time and having the stitches removed was very painful. He even bit me while I held him. His ears are now even thicker than they were and you can feel some of the scar tissue.
I hope things go well and wish Bailey a quick recovery.
 
This was Witt with the gauze sewn onto his ear leathers and his cone.

 

 
 

I had that happen to my cat.  They basically cut the ear in  a few places and stitched it back together.  It didnt affect her hearing or anything but it did leave
her ear kinda bent fwd a little.  It does not stand up like normal and not flexable either.  From the scar tissue i imagine.  But thats not a big deal as long as she can hear.  I think they kept her overnight and it certainly wasn't 700 bucks. 
Maybe cuz she's a cat and only 10lbs.  I think it was something like 250 tops.
 
Jo

I also wouldn't stay with a vet you don't feel comfortable with, it's so important to establish yourself with someone who communicates well with you, is compassionate and that you trust. Way back when..I interviewed vets(I paid for my appointment), it made a world of difference when you lay out what it is you want in a vet and ask them if they think they fit what you are looking for. I have stayed with the same vet for 18 years now. I think you should check out some others.

I second finding another vet at all costs. Ear hematoma's are common and I've never heard of them costing $700 to fix. If it takes travelling to another town to get to a different vet, do it!! This vet is severly ripping you off. All that is necessary in the 'surgery' is to drain and suture or staple the ear. General anesthesia isn't even always necessary- though it is used regularly.

I would think you should be looking at a cost of around $150 max for both ears.

Run! Run from this vet!


ETA: That is the price in my area, which tends to be lower than the national average. You may find higher prices in your area- but I'd still think you wouldn't have to go over $200 - 300

No experience with this problem, but just want to say I hope you can find the right vet and take care of this problem quickly. 
 
Poor Bailey, feel better!

We are in RI.  PM me if you'd like our vets info.  Depending on where in CT you are, it might be a ride for you. But it might be worth it at least for the second opinion.  Or maybe you could cal our vets for some referrals in your area.

ORIGINAL: lokis_mom

Ooh, poor Bailey! That sounds so awful for him. I really hope that the surgery clears up his ear trouble.

You mentioned that you don't like the vet. Would it be possible to get a second opinion from another vet in the area? That might make you feel better about the surgery. Or you may find out there's something else you could do for Bailey instead of surgery.

If he does have surgery, though, we'll all be thinking about him! Please keep us updated on how he's doing.

 
Yeah Im calling some different vets I knwo of today, they're further away, but they're much better than this one.
 
maisey- Yeah thats exatly what Bailey has.His ears arn't really small, but they cover the whole bottom of his ears and are really big, like you said, they look like balloons. The vet said 2 or so weeks for recovery, and that he'd have to wear a cone... (he is just going to love that)
 
At least Im not the only one who thinks 700 is a bit much for this...

Ouch! It sounds like both of you are having a tough time- I hope you're able to find a nicer (and cheaper) vet to do his ears.
 
Feel better soon Bailey! We'll be thinking of you and sending lots of good vibes...
 
 

I am in Connecticut along the shoreline and we love our vet..  If you need any recommendations please PM me.  I hope your sweetie is ok, what a horrible thing he must be going through!!

Poor Bailey, I hope his ears feel better soon!

Depending on how much Bailey trusts you, to be honest you can drain them yourself with a syringe if you feel your own hands are steady.  I've done it numerous times.  It's not just blood -- but when the body is 'hurt' the brain sends a fluid that is just mostly water to the area to 'cushion' the injury.  It's a natural body response.  You can, with a brand new syringe (which you can buy from a pharmacist -- and you'll want a few rather large syringes with a pretty small needle -- TELL them what it's for).  It won't hurt Bailey much at all and it will give a LOT of relief.  You simply insert the clean syringe needle into the bubble - you'll feel it just go thru the skin -- and you will pull back on the plunger and it will suck out that bloody water.  You do that repeatedly -- even once a day -- for a couple of weeks and you'll find eventually the body will stop making the fluid and the ear flaps will heal on their own. 
 
At the same time, if I were you I'd try the Blue Power Ear Solution treatment -- it's likely to help the ears a whole lot.  Once you do that for two weeks you'll be able to ascertain if there is bacterial infection.  IF SO then you'll need deeper antibiotics.
 
$700 is a huge price for ear hematomas -- and essentially what they do is punch holes in the ear flap so it will 'drain' but this risk of infection is pretty huge.  If you can remove the fluid on a daily basis you have a better chance of getting rid of it without infection and without majorly sore ears. 
 
Spazzy if you want, email me -- I could likely talk your folks thru this if you don't feel your hands are steady enough.  it's really not hard.  Someone just needs to hold the dog's head still and steady and croon to Bailey while another person drains the ears. 
 
Syringes are about $.25 each -- pretty cheap   But a quarter or two a day is a far cry from $700.

I dont know if I could do that...
I mean I could, but on my own dog, I dont know...
I found 2 other vets that are good so Im going to ask them whats their opinion on this, and hopfully get a better price range.

Even if you got a vet who would let a tech drain them every few days -- it's less traumatic than the surgery -- often that particular surgery takes MONTHS to heal.