Please Help Sophie Get Life-changing Ear Surgery (TECA-BO)
Hello, Reddit!
We recently (2/18/2026) adopted a senior dog (approximately 8 years old), Sophie, from the shelter after she spent 355 days waiting for a home. We don’t know much about her life before us, but it’s clear she endured a great deal. She was obviously used for breeding & has signs consistent with either abuse or dog fighting.
When we adopted her, she had severe chronic infections in both ears that required frequent vet visits. Our primary veterinarian flushed & packed her ears with antibiotics in an attempt to clear the infections. After three rounds of treatment, the infection in her left ear resolved, but the right ear never really improved.
After being referred to a veterinary dermatologist, Sophie was diagnosed with a traumatic auricular avulsion. Essentially, some kind of major trauma (such as being hit by a car, kicked in the head, or injured during dog fighting) caused her ear canal to separate from the rest of the ear. As it healed, it didn't reconnect properly. Instead, scar tissue formed & created a blind pocket that sealed off the external ear canal from the middle ear, trapping an infection inside. The scarring has also narrowed the canal so significantly that medication can no longer reach the infected area.
We were then referred to a surgeon, who determined that Sophie requires a TECA-BO surgery (Total Ear Canal Ablation & Bulla Osteotomy), as medication can no longer treat the damage. During this procedure, the entire ear canal, ear drum, & affected middle ear structures are removed. The tympanic bulla is then opened & cleaned to remove infected material before the area is sutured. After surgery, she'll require several weeks of post-operative care.
Despite everything she’s been through, Sophie is the sweetest old lady. She finally has a safe home where she’s loved beyond measure, & we want to give her the best chance to live comfortably for the rest of her life.
The estimated cost of surgery is substantial, & does not include follow-up expenses. Unfortunately, CareCredit will not cover the full amount, & payment is due at drop-off on the 19th. For transparency, we've included the procedure estimate, post-operative estimate, & appointment confirmation in the photos.
We're currently asking for a total of $3000 to cover the remainder of the initial estimate plus a portion of the post-operative estimate (the starting automated goal shows $1300). The estimated post-operative costs range from $635.92 to $4,491.68, which may include 1-4 visits with 2-3 images required, plus any bandage changes or sedation necessary. My partner and I both work full-time and I work an additional part-time job + side jobs to help pay for her care. Since her ears were a pre-existing condition, we weren't able to get coverage for her. We've been paying out of pocket for her care so far (just over $3400), but we're now at the point where we need some help. We just want to get her healthy and to a point where she's no longer in pain.
Thank you for taking the time to read, & we really appreciate any support or shares! We're happy to answer any questions!