First of all, before your dog is treated for an infection of the inner ear, it is important to determine whether it is a bacterial, yeast or fungal infection! The treatment of yeast and fungal infections with specific antibiotics is counterproductive. This can lead to temporary or even permanent damage to your dog’s hearing!
Often older dogs are involved in this deafness … but this does not exclude younger dogs or even puppies from this situation.
To get rid of this unexpected and unfortunate side effect of certain medications, you need to find out if your dog is naturally hearing-impaired due to age, pre-breeding, trauma, or a medical problem.
Some breeds and often dogs with white pigmentation are inherently pre-disposed to deafness. The two most common breeds with genetic hearing loss are Dalmatians and English Setters: Others include: Australian cattle, Australian Shepherd, Bulldog, Cat leopard dog, King Cavalier Charles Spaniel and English Cocker Spaniel.
Presbicus, age-related hearing loss is common in older dogs. It cannot be prevented or reversed. The disease is progressing. In some cases, it progresses faster than in others, which can cause the owner to believe in hearing loss in dogs.
Usually, when the older dog’s hearing is slowly diminished, they learn to compensate for the change by sharpening other reflexes. Their hearing loss is not observed until it becomes as obvious as they can no longer « hide » the loss of this feeling.
Hearing impairment caused by medication or ototoxicity is another threat.
Cochlea nerves transmit electrochemical signals to your dog’s brain. Direct or indirect contact with certain medicines and chemicals destroys cochlear hairs in the inner ear of the dog, thereby switching off the signals. The results can be temporary or even permanent hearing loss.
A group of drugs known as aminoglycoside antibiotics has been identified as one of the leading causes of sudden deafness in dogs. They should never be used unless your dog is life-threatening!
Another chemical commonly used in ear cleaning / washing solutions is chlorhexidine. This chemical is no longer available in earwash because of the number of dogs that have affected temporary and permanent hearing loss!
It is worth noting that there are lesser known chemicals that also identify the cause of the sudden hearing loss, so be careful … check the ingredients … research the ingredients of the drug dog BEFORE you use it!
Mometamax is a medicine commonly used in infections of the inner ear. It contains gentamicin, which is toxic! This is not the case … it was well documented. The terrifying fact is that many veterinarians are not even aware of the toxicity of the medication.
Other medicines to keep in mind include antibiotics with aminoglycosides: kanamycin, neomycin and tobramycin.
Your dog’s reaction to these chemicals may be as early as 10-15 minutes after use! Watch for loss of balance, difficulty standing, nausea, head tilt and rapid eye movement. Other Signs to Remember: Your dog does not respond to verbal commands, shakes his head, walks in circles, reacts only when they see you or when you touch them, seems depressed and sleeps more than usual. Stop using the medicine immediately! In several cases, not all cases of stopping the medication will allow the hearing to return in 2-6 weeks. In some cases, the loss is permanent.
Head up! You should also be aware; Another known side effect of this group of antibiotics is canine renal failure!
Bottom line: Be aware … be aware of the risks. Talk to your vet about alternatives before starting any regimen using aminoglycoside antibiotics.
Cats, Dogs, Pets
