We regularly get cases referred to us at West Midlands Veterinary Referrals for total ear canal ablation (TECA) surgery. The external ear canal is removed but the ear flap is preserved. When we do a TECA it is also necessary to remove a substantial portion of the middle ear.

Charlie, an 8-week-old Labrador puppy was presented to us at West Midlands Veterinary Referrals with a history of regurgitation and vomiting once he made the change from liquid to solid food intake.

Princess, a 2-year-old Yorkshire terrier was referred to us at West Midlands Veterinary Referrals with a history of bladder stones and hepatic encephalopathy (neurological signs) attributable to the effect on the brain of toxins that the liver should have “scrubbed” out of the “dirty” blood coming from the intestines. An abnormal blood vessel called a shunt underlay the formation of the bladder stones and the shunt allowed toxins to get to the brain.

The soft palate is at the back of the mouth. For those who remember the Peanuts cartoons, the soft palate is the dangly bit you can see when Lucy throws her head back and yells at Charlie Brown!