Sudden On set Of Deafness

[Dobiegirl]

My friends 7yr working Springer Spaniel was diagnosed with Kennel Cough but after a few weeks it didnt clear up and was taken back to the vet and diagnosed with an enlarged heart. He was given meds and diurectics and she was told to keep him on restricted lead exercise. My friend has discovered he is now deaf and as he is a gun dog will not be able to work although will be still kept as a pet. I said I wondered if it was the meds causing the problem and told her to google side affects for the drugs.

Does anyone know if this is a temporary thing or because he will have to stay on meds for life will it be permanent although Im sure if its the meds causing the problem the vets can change it. He is going back to the vet on Monday.

Any thoughts, ideas?

 

[Aru]

Any idea what drugs were used?both now and in the past...

Deafness is not a common side effect of many canine drugs I'm afraid but there are a few with it on the books as a possibility. It is possible that as well as heart failure there is another underlying problem as well..

If the problem is due to a medication he is on..my bets are on the Lasix/frusemide for the heart problem being the issue at high doses as it can be ototoxic...so it may resolve as the dose comes down to a base level.

However that said your friend will need to be seriously considering the benefits to the dog of receiving the mediation for his/her heart problem if it remains an issue versus having a working life. In many cases I would sacrifice full hearing even in a working dog in favour of being able to use this drug as it is very very effective and very affordable in cardiac cases. Its not the only diuretic that can be used but its one of the most effective and comes with few side effects and need for a lot of monitoring.

Also in a springer spaniel with a heart issue...I would consider taurine supplementation on the off chance that he is one of the breed that respond to that treatment.

 

[Alec Swan]

I've nothing to support this, but assuming that the dog is genuinely deaf, and not "Cocking a deaf-en"!, then it wouldn't surprise me to hear that the deafness stands alone, and none of the other problems are a contributing factor.

Over the years I've had one dog, and known of several who have had acute and near immediate deafness descend. I've always thought that it could be an inner ear infection which goes undetected, but again, that's just supposition.

Alec.

 

[Dobiegirl]

Thank you for your response.

I dont know what meds he is on but do know he has had the odd problem with his ears,

Alec he is not cocking a deaf un, he is a highly trained gun-dog who loves his job. When he was here yesterday we tried a whistle, calling his name and banging on the table without response. I realise that was not very sciencific but just trying to gauge any response, he responds to signals so we know he is not swinging the leg.

He is my friends beloved pet and her husbands gun-dog so if he cant work again it will not be a problem or hardship to keep him.

Aru I will tell my friend what you have suggested as regards the taurine supplement and she can run it by her vet on Monday. I will also try to find out what meds he is on.

It was only the beginning of the year when he had an op for eating something inappropiate( his 2nd Op) and Im sure they would have picked up his heart problem if he had it then.