We knew she was able to hear from the beginning-then she suddenly stopped being able to do that. The "vet" at the time never spoke a word about this possibility when giving her an injection of this sort. I learned first-hand what this type of antibiotic can do when I was very young our Sheltie (Lucky) suffered permanent loss of her hearing because of its use. "Loss of hearing and/or balance (eighth-cranial-nerve disease)-High aminoglycoside blood levels may cause hearing loss or balance disturbances"
Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially: "Other medical problems-The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of the aminoglycosides. However, aminoglycosides may also cause some serious side effects, including damage to your hearing, sense of balance, and kidneys. "Aminoglycosides given by injection are usually used for serious bacterial infections for which other medicines may not work. This class of antibiotics comes in many forms-inhalation and parenteral (by injection) as well as preparations for the ears. Chris' vet did look into his ear first before prescribing it and once I knew about the risk we only used the medication when absolutely necessary and avoided Gentamycin products (he was allergic to Neomycin).īut other otic products contain similar warnings and in general it seems all of them should be kept from going deeply into the ear when possible. I was never warned by a veterinarian about this risk. This is particularly important for diabetic dogs like Chris, who are/were already blind and didn't need to lose another sense. Ointments should be avoided as they can become entrapped within the middle ear. In addition, if a ruptured eardrum is suspected, only water-soluble treatment solutions should be used. The same holds true for astringent preparations and acetic acid solutions. For example, antibiotics belonging to the class known as aminoglycosides (examples include gentamycin and neomycin) should not be used in the ear directly since they can cause nerve deafness if exposed to the inner ear. If a ruptured eardrum is suspected, selection of treatment agents must be done carefully. I do not know of any dog that regained its hearing though I'm sure the ears weren't flushed in response either as some time passed before owners realized the dog was deaf and made the association with the medication.įrom The Complete Home Veterinary Guide, Chris C.
If hearing or vestibular dysfunction is noted during the course of treatment, discontinue use of OTOMAX® immediately and flush the ear canal thoroughly with a non-ototoxic solution. The hearing deficit is usually temporary. The use of OTOMAX® has been associated with deafness or partial hearing loss in a small number of sensitive dogs (eg, geriatric). Do not use in animals who require their hearing to perform their work (military dogs, police dogs, seeing eye dogs, hearing dogs, etc.) as the hearing or vestibular (balance) impairment may not be reversible.Įach gram of OTOMAX® contains gentamicin sulfate veterinary equivalent to 3 mg gentamicin base betamethasone valerate, USP equivalent to 1 mg betamethasone and 10 mg clotrimazole, USP in a mineral oil-based system containing a plasticized hydrocarbon gel. It should not be used in animals with a perforated eardrum.Ĭontact your veterinarian if your pet experiences a loss of hearing or balance while being treated with gentamicin. A veterinary exam of the ear is necessary prior to use of this product in the ear. Products with clotrimazole are also effective against fungal (yeast) infections of the ear. The combination is used for the treatment of inflammation and bacterial infections of the ear.
Gentamicin is an antibiotic of the aminoglycoside class. Gentamicin/Betamethasone-Otic (Gentocin® Otic, Otomax®) 2008 9:111-121.Sadly, I can now list a fourth dog who has gone deaf due to treatment with an ear medication containing Gentamycin.įrom Pet Education, () regarding Gentamycin: Comparative adrenocortical suppression in dogs with otitis externa following topical otic administration of four different corticosteroid-containing medications. Reeder CJ, Griffin CE, Polissar NL, et al.The safe use in dogs used for breeding purposes, during pregnancy or in lactating bitches, has not been evaluated.įor additional information, please see the product label. Do not use in dogs with known tympanic perforation. Posatex® is contraindicated in dogs with known or suspected hypersensitivity to quinolones, mometasone furoate monohydrate, or posaconazole. 8 drops per ear for dogs equal to or greater than 30 lbs.4 drops per ear for dogs less than 30 lbs.Adminster once daily for 7 days - Helps ensure pet parent compliance to treatment.
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