From Hiding to Healing:
Marshall’s Chronic Ear Infection
Journey

Marshall, a 13-year-old domestic shorthair, had always been a calm, affectionate cat. But over time, something shifted. He began to withdraw, hiding more often, disengaging from family life, and showing signs of irritation. He was shaking his head frequently and scratching at his right ear. He was brought to Edgeworth Vet Medical Centre in September 2024, it was clear he was uncomfortable. What initially seemed like a routine ear infection gradually unfolded into something far more persistent – the kind of chronic ear infection in cats that doesn’t respond to standard treatment and keeps coming back.

Marshall’s condition was managed carefully over the following months. His right ear was thoroughly cleaned under general anaesthesia, and swabs were submitted for culture. He was tested for a range of viral and bacterial infections, including FIV and FeLV, both of which returned negative. Despite multiple rounds of ear infection treatment and even full clearance of infection, the inflammation kept returning, always in the right ear. Over time, the episodes became more frequent, and the discomfort became more obvious.

In the early stages, Marshall had also shown signs of vomiting and an uneven pupil size, all small but important clues in a bigger picture of ongoing discomfort.

Felicity and her family were worried. The infections clearly affected Marshall’s quality of life; he wasn’t interacting, and he wasn’t himself. TECA-BO (Total Ear Canal Ablation and Bulla Osteotomy) was recommended as a long-term solution, often considered when chronic ear infection in cats becomes unmanageable with medication alone.

It’s a major surgery, especially in an older cat, but Marshall was otherwise healthy and in good hands. After careful consideration, his family made the brave and thoughtful decision to proceed.

Dr. Perin performed the TECA-BO procedure in January 2025. It was a longer surgery, but Marshall handled it beautifully with no anaesthetic complications. The infected canal was removed, giving him the best possible chance at lasting comfort and freedom from repeat infection.

Post-operative recovery was smooth. Marshall had temporary difficulty blinking his right eye, a known side effect of this procedure, but his family diligently applied lubricating drops to protect the eye. Within a month, his blinking returned to normal.

By eight weeks post-op, Marshall had turned a corner. He was more engaged, more playful, and clearly more comfortable.

His appetite returned, and so did his routines, following the family around and curling up for a nap in familiar spots. The transformation was gentle but unmistakable.