Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 6/6/2011

Question
Hi Dr Botthelf, like so many others who have written in, my dog went deaf after I used Mometamax in her ear.  My Vet didn't warn me and I can assure if he had I wouldn't have used the medicine.  My Sydney is almost 12 but has always been in good health and very, very keen hearing. We are praying so hard her hearing will return.  I'm writing in reference to a question a lady ask you back on 11/16/2007.  Her name was Elizabeth and her dog had gone deaf after using Mometamax.  Evidently, her dog regained it's hearing because you said to her, "Fortunately, the hearing loss is reversible"  That's my question to you Dr.  Will my Sydney regain her hearing?  What can I do for her?  My Vet said, bring her back on Friday, 06/10/2011 and if her hearing hasn't returned, we'll give her a steroid shot.  Do steroid shots really help?  I ask just sick about what I have done to my little girl.  Thank you so much in advance Dr. Gotthelf.

Ron in Texas

Answer
The antibiotic in Mometamax, Gentamycin, can be toxic to the nerve cells within the inner ear. Gentamycin diffuses in and out of the fluid in the cochlea, so if you stop the medication, the gentamycin concentration will decrease gradually, usually over 2 weeeks or so.  If there is inflammation around the nerves, then a steroid shot may help.  Mometamax does contain mometasone, a very potent topical steroid.