COLUMBUS, GA......Adorable MADISON was picked up as a stray about a year ago and brought to the shelter in Columbus, GA. She was adopted out to a family they did not want her anymore. Madison has had a life of no medical care. She has had ear problems since she was little and no one cared enough about her to get her ears fixed. The shelter said they could not adopt her out this way and they could not keep her. We were contacted by a volunteer at the shelter that was in a panic because she knew Madison was not going to make it out alive and no one wanted her. After lots of e-mails at Midnight, I finally decided we were Madison’s only chance. We made arrangements for her to be picked up the minute the shelter opened the next day. Madison is is a 6 year old pure breed Cocker Spaniel, that is the sweetest dog you will ever get to meet. She is adorable. She has total ear canal blockage and needs major surgery in both ears. Her ears are the worst mess because of lack of care. Both ears have a terrible infection that cannot be cleared up until Total Ear Ablation Surgery (TECA) has been done. Our sweet girl has no hearing at all right now. We are hopeful that once the surgeons get into the ear canal they will be able to save some small part of her ear canal so she will have about 15% hearing which is better than having none. The hearing loss does not seem to be affecting this sweet girl at all but the pain in her ears is terrible. It is so sad that no one thought about all the pain and suffering she has had to endure during her years of this happening. Her teeth will have to be addressed at the same time due to the fact they are in terrible shape. We will save as many teeth as possible and only remove those that are totally abscessed. Madison is a beautiful, sweet dog that will be perfect in any family situation. She loves kids and other dogs. Once the surgeries are done, she can go on to live a long happy life that she so deserves.
Sweet Madison has had her surgery and is recovering. We were able to save a partial of her ear canal to give her 20% hearing. We are slowly getting rid of the terrible infection she had in her ears. Sweet does not even begin to describe this incredible girl. For one that has had such a terrible life, she is the most loving dog. What happened to Madison can happen to any Cocker Spaniel if their ears are not kept clean and clear from infection. Please, do not get one if you are not prepared to do this for them. They are loving and sweet dogs that require a certain amount of diligence when it comes to doing this. Madison will be in the hospital for two more weeks while her ears are healing. The outside of the ear is similar to a cauliflower ear in that it swells and the membrane becomes thickened inside and out. We removed the inside that had become so thickened and some of the outside. Some of the bulbous areas on the outside will remain because removing them would do further damage to the ear. Madison will make a wonderful addition to any family. She is sweet and loving and adores children.
