Son Getting Ear Tubes Tomorrow - but Has a Cough! Advice?!

I had the same thing...EXACTLY the same thing. She had a cough 2 days before...but it was just a cough. The Anetheologist will make the call. our Anetheologist said that "she is normally a healthy person and its just a little cough, so I dont see any reason for delaying the surgury". the doc DID listen for a little longer to hear if there was rattling in the chest. Our daught did not have the rattling in the chest so they were ok to do the tubes. Honestly I was thinking to myself..."She ALWAYS has a cough and gets ear infections about once a month, how am I suppose to keep the kid from getting a cough/cold when they are in daycare and so little?" I think the docs understand that...I mean they know that the reason your boy is getting the tubes is because the canals are not draining. If the cough is not bad and its not a full blown cold (meaning waking up alot at night etc) then you should be fine.
Word of advice, tonight, give him a nice warm bath (steam up the room before drawing his bath) and give him a cool mist humidifer(with a new filter) tonight. Rub some baby vix on his feet and back. That should help with the cough...at least for the night. your LO will be a new baby tomorrow after surgury (well not RIGHT after, they are kind of cranky at first) but it in 24 hours, you will notice a big difference.
Good luck!! :):)

Well, I'd ask if coughing can remove the tubes once they are in...did you think of that? It seems like some pressure is put from the inside when you cough...so I would get that answer. Also, can you delay the surgery for only few days? If you feel he doesn't have all his breathing potential why put him under anesthesia? Ear tubes were a big deal for me, infact I searched and searched and finally found a doctor with a surgery-less approach. So now you can understand where I come from. Good luck for your little one.

My son (almost 29 months) has had tubes put in twice. The first time he was a year old and at that time we resheduled the surgery due to a cough. I had made an appointment with his pediatrician for 2 days before (I wanted her to clear him for surgery even though like you were told the anesthesiologist and surgeon would also check him the day off).

The second time was this past Thursday and he had a bit of a dry cough but they said it would be fine. Just make sure that you raise these points to the anesthesiologist tomorrow so that can listen extra carefully.

Good luck and lots of cuddles for your LO!

My daughter was 10 mos when she got her ear tubes. She had an antibioitic resistant ear infection -- tried 5 oral antibiotics and Rocephin shots over the period of 43 days, then scheduled her for surgery. She had 103 degree fever for 30 of the 45 days till her surgery. In fact, the ear infection was active and she had a FEVER on the day of her surgery. This is usually a NO-NO for surgery but they had little choice but to put her under and get the fluid OUT and put the tubes in. She came through it fine (it is SO quick). Of course, this wasn't respiratory -- and if they hear any wheezing at all, I would postpone.

Best wishes!

Don't worry about it! Your doc has seen it many times before, I'm sure. He'll know what's best. It's better for your peace of mind to trust him. =) My son at 3.5 yrs had his tonsils taken....and had a cough at the time! I thought it impossible, but they assured me it was fine. Most likely they will give your little one something to suppress the cough during surgery. I feel for you...it's never easy to see your baby go under anesthesia. It will be quick and simple though! Best of luck!!!