Can ear infection meds make my dog deaf? Should I keep using them?

Question

My dog has gradually become deaf over the last 3 months or so. He's to the point he appears totally deaf. He is a 3 year old Labrador, he is a rescue and has had multipme ear infections with the use of gentamycin. He currently has an ear infection and the vet prescribed another round of gentamycin x 7d. He feels the loss is idiopathic. I feel the medication caused it. It is safe to keep using or shoukd I use something else? Pet's info: Dog | Labrador Retriever | Male | 3 years and 8 months old | 97 lbs

Linda G, MS, DVM · Accepted Answer

Hello. Yes, it is most likely that the gentamicin has induced the deafness in your dog. Most times this is reversible, but in some cases the deafness is permanent. I would not use any more gentamycin. Most ear infections are due to underlying allergies, so the first thing to do is have a culture done to see if antibiotics are even warranted ( may have to wait at least several days after stopping medications to obtain the culture ). I would also start a low dose with a decreasing dosage of steroids to decrease inflammation in the ears & start an anti-allergy medication such as Apoquel or Cytopoint to see if the ears can be kept at least more comfortable without the use of topical ear medications. Hopefully, some hearing may return, but it certainly will not as long as the gentamycin is being used. Good luck & thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Can ear infection meds make my dog deaf? Should I keep using them?

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