Complications after TECA-BO surgery

[Sandy]

Dear all,

Our little Munchkin had a TECA-BO surgery just under two weeks ago. She’s a small Holland Lop and almost 8 years old.

Surgery was at a veterinary hospital and performed by a surgeon specialized in exotics.

Surgery went well and she stayed three nights in the hospital before we took her home. She had a tiny bit of appetite but we noticed right away that she couldn’t eat her pellets like normal. It was like she couldn’t get hold of them. In addition to all her meds, we fed critical care. After three days at home with no improvement in appetite and round the clock care we brought her back to the hospital. She has now been there since Tuesday last week. She had gas in her stomach, so Wednesday they had to put a tube down – procedure went well and Thursday she had some appetite. We have visited her and although she is tired, she did eat some coriander etc. We noticed however that she sticks her tongue out but only to the left side (wasn’t like that before surgery) and that she still has issues eating like normal.

Has anyone dealt with facial nerve paralysis after such a surgery and if so, did it resolve? And if not, how did the bunny cope?

We are so worried about our girl and heartbroken that we had to put her through this surgery. Although she was eating and doing well before surgery, she had a large abscess by the base of her ear and puss that went all the way down her jawline.

Thanks for any input!

[LBJ10]

I don’t have experience with this surgery, although I know there have been members in the past that did. I do have experience with facial paralysis though.

Facial paralysis following this type of surgery doesn’t surprise me. You’re messing around in the area of the 7th cranial nerve, which runs through the ear structure. Damage to this nerve can cause facial paralysis. However, this type of paralysis usually don’t not interfere with the workings of the mouth or tongue. Is her tongue popping out because she has lost control of her cheek/lip on that side? Or could they have damaged other nerves during the surgery? You mentioned abscesses.

The facial paralysis could be the result of actual damage to the nerve or swelling or both. Even with damage to the nerve, most bunnies show improvement once the swelling has subsided. If there is some permanent paralysis, it usually doesn’t cause problems with actual chewing. But lost control of the lip can make taking food into the mouth difficult. For pellets, I found putting them on a textured surface helped keep them from sliding around. When they are in a slick dish, it’s more difficult for a bunny with facial paralysis to get a hold of them.

[Sandy]

Thank you for sharing! Much appreciated.

I think you are correct about the lip being affected more than the mouth. When she came home and tried to eat, it looked a bit like a bun with dental issues but yesterday when we visited her in the hospital she was able to pick up and eat some coriander by herself and it looked quite normal. She hasn’t had any interest in pellets yet so will have to see how that works but good idea with textured surface to facilitate grip.

Her left eye – the side of the surgery – doesn’t close properly after surgery and vet is keeping it lubricated. Vet said it’s temporary and we already saw an improvement in the few days she was home – but I guess this also means that nerve can affect face and lips in various ways. I’m just praying that it’s temporary.

Today was a difficult day as vet called early this morning to say that M had some diarrhea but by this evening she had made small poops and eaten some hay (we have picked the leaves off alfalfa stems to facilitate eating).

I feel so bad for putting her through this but we didn’t have much of an option.

[LBJ10]

My vet recommended GenTeal eye drops. They worked pretty well. I didn’t have to use them anymore after a while. Facial paralysis can affect everything on that side including the ear, eye, cheek, and lip.

I would feel horribly guilty too if things didn’t go well after a surgery. It’s hard not to beat yourself up about it. Just remember that you did it with her best interest in mind. I’m sure things will work themselves out.

[Author]

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