Winston

About the Campaign

TECA Ear Ablation Surgery After a Growing Ear Mass.

Winston is a 3-year-old Bulldog and Terrier mix who needs TECA ear ablation surgery after a growth in his ear kept getting bigger and started causing ongoing discharge. He has already had the required CT scan, and now the next step is the surgery.

Tammy first noticed something was wrong when one of her other dogs started licking Winston’s ear. Winston had never been prone to ear infections and had always stayed current on exams and vaccines. When Tammy looked closer, she saw a red lump inside his ear that had not been there before.

At first, his regular veterinarian hoped it was something minor hinting at an allergy-related growth that might shrink on its own. Instead, the lump continued to grow. Tammy made an appointment with a specialty hospital, where she learned that no surgeon would remove the mass without a CT scan first. The CT scan was needed to evaluate the area and plan surgery, and Winston would also need biopsy testing to confirm what the growth is.

Winston has now had the CT scan. He still needs the TECA procedure, an ear canal ablation surgery, to remove the ear canal. This is not something that can be put off. Tammy is currently cleaning Winston’s ear twice a day because of discharge, and without surgery, the condition is expected to worsen over time. Tammy has also gotten a second opinion for Winston, which confirms his condition.

The financial strain came from a painful timing issue. Tammy carries pet insurance specifically to be responsible about unexpected emergencies, but due to some limitations with the policy there is not enough to cover everything needed.

Tammy cares for six dogs, most of them rescues, and she is used to being the one helping animals in crisis. This time, it is her own dog who needs urgent medical help, and she cannot afford to go into debt from a single surgery.

Winston was never part of Tammy’s plan. About two and a half years ago, he ended up at the shelter as a young puppy and no one came for him. Tammy works next door to the shelter, and an animal officer introduced her to Winston. She had not been looking for a dog, and she was not even interested in a bulldog-type mix because she had seen so many “frenchy” health issues up close. Then she met Winston. He was adorable, full of personality, and it was over. She fostered him, fell in love, and adopted him.

Now Winston needs this surgery so he can be comfortable again and move on from the daily cleaning, discharge, and discomfort. All donations are only for Winston, paid only to the vet. Estimate is below, click to enlarge: