Sudden hearing loss, Dr. is stumped.
Sudden hearing loss, Dr. is stumped.
Our girl has suddenly lost her hearing. Her 11th birthday was this weekend. We noticed this last week, and were certain of it on Saturday. We took her in to see her Dr. this afternoon and we are stumped. He checked her ears, they are clear (but for a little wax) and he said her ear drums are opaque (more like wax paper than saran wrap). He doesn't think it is an infection, her gag reflex is fine, her eyes respond normally, her nose twitches -- Everything else with her is fine, appetite, etc. Only two things have happened lately; 1. She had her teeth cleaned on 3/15 and 2. The week of the 12th we were out of town and our pet-sitter had the flu while she was checking on them. Any ideas? The Dr. said the anesthesia was uneventful. I have noticed ever since then she has had more vivid dreams than usual (face and paws will move, she'll jump, wake up and hiss at whatever she was dreaming of). Can this be a toxicity? She is not on medication and we are diligent to keep chemicals away from their reach. Her bloodwork was perfect a month ago-What could have happened to her?
Re: Sudden hearing loss, Dr. is stumped.
I'll admit up front that I'm far from an expert on cats, but there are some antibiotics that are ototoxic to humans (cause hearing loss). I'm not sure if it is the same when they are used for cats. Was she on any antibiotics with the teeth cleaning (including what may have been given during her procedure). Traci - are there any drugs/antibiotics that are ototoxic for cats?
Another possibility is that this has been a gradual thing that finally ended with total hearing loss. I know it happens in people and I've seen that happen with 2 of my dogs, so I'm pretty sure it can happen in cats too. Although, with my dogs, it became obvious that they could no longer hear as well as they had before it got to the point of total (or almost total) hearing loss.
Another possibility is that this has been a gradual thing that finally ended with total hearing loss. I know it happens in people and I've seen that happen with 2 of my dogs, so I'm pretty sure it can happen in cats too. Although, with my dogs, it became obvious that they could no longer hear as well as they had before it got to the point of total (or almost total) hearing loss.
"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself." ~ Josh Billings.
Re: Sudden hearing loss, Dr. is stumped.
Hi Karen,
Thank you for your reply. She was not on any antibiotics for the dental, but about a month before that she was on a 2 week course of Clavamox for a UTI. The vet said that it seems to be an acute case as he just saw her a little over a month ago and everything checked out great, and he knows us well enough to know we are sensitive to even slight changes with our kitties (we work from home). He really thinks this is a case of sudden hearing loss and he hasn't seen anything like it before.
Thank you for your reply. She was not on any antibiotics for the dental, but about a month before that she was on a 2 week course of Clavamox for a UTI. The vet said that it seems to be an acute case as he just saw her a little over a month ago and everything checked out great, and he knows us well enough to know we are sensitive to even slight changes with our kitties (we work from home). He really thinks this is a case of sudden hearing loss and he hasn't seen anything like it before.
Re: Sudden hearing loss, Dr. is stumped.
Is there a vet school or a vet who specializes in hearing issues anywhere near you? Consulting a specialist may be wise. Here is a link describing causes of sudden hearing loss in people. I suspect some of the same things apply to animals.
http://www.hearinglosshelp.com/articles ... ngloss.htm
http://www.hearinglosshelp.com/articles ... ngloss.htm
"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself." ~ Josh Billings.
Re: Sudden hearing loss, Dr. is stumped.
Thank you for the link--I will look it over now. The Dr. is getting referrals for us now and should get back to us in the next few days.
As a side note, he put some solution in her left ear during the exam to try to move a piece of wax--that didn't work. Tonight her right ear is bothering her a lot. I wonder if that is from the scope. I wonder if it could be a glimmer of hope that there is some deep down middle ear infection that we are not seeing yet.
Thank you again, for any help. I am very grateful and very worried about her.
As a side note, he put some solution in her left ear during the exam to try to move a piece of wax--that didn't work. Tonight her right ear is bothering her a lot. I wonder if that is from the scope. I wonder if it could be a glimmer of hope that there is some deep down middle ear infection that we are not seeing yet.
Thank you again, for any help. I am very grateful and very worried about her.
Re: Sudden hearing loss, Dr. is stumped.
I too suggest seeing a specialist, and getting a proper ear exam done, flushing might also be helpful, but it might also make it worse. Please, please, please, ask whichever vet decides whether an ear flush is warranted, to make certain there is no overflooding of the ear, no deep penetration of the ear, and is dried completely.
Has she had any typical exams to determine hear loss? How have you determined this? Is it affecting one ear or both?
Has she had any typical exams to determine hear loss? How have you determined this? Is it affecting one ear or both?
..........Traci
Re: Sudden hearing loss, Dr. is stumped.
Hi Traci,
Today was the first day we got to see the Dr. He admittedly couldn't do that much--he checked her ears with the scope, and listened to her heart as we made a loud noise behind her. He concluded that she cannot hear anything. I myself think she can hear some, or it waxes and wanes, because at times she will hear us make a loud noise and turn, usually in the wrong direction. He wants to consult with a neurologist on this, he suggested a BAER test or maybe a CT scan. he doesn't suspect a tumor because everything else is fine. He doesn't think it is an inner ear infection because her gait is fine. He is getting some other veterinary opinions and then getting back to us as to what the next step is, which will most likely be a neurologist, which is about an hour and a half away. What other tests besides the BAER and CT scan can be done?
We went away two weeks ago and she responded to the pet sitter coming inside. Last Wednesday she didn't hear us come home, and that was the first sign I saw. After that, I noticed she was getting spooked by us or our other cat suddenly appearing, because she did not hear it. Normally I can call her and she will come running, as of Wednesday she could no longer hear me. It breaks my heart.
Today was the first day we got to see the Dr. He admittedly couldn't do that much--he checked her ears with the scope, and listened to her heart as we made a loud noise behind her. He concluded that she cannot hear anything. I myself think she can hear some, or it waxes and wanes, because at times she will hear us make a loud noise and turn, usually in the wrong direction. He wants to consult with a neurologist on this, he suggested a BAER test or maybe a CT scan. he doesn't suspect a tumor because everything else is fine. He doesn't think it is an inner ear infection because her gait is fine. He is getting some other veterinary opinions and then getting back to us as to what the next step is, which will most likely be a neurologist, which is about an hour and a half away. What other tests besides the BAER and CT scan can be done?
We went away two weeks ago and she responded to the pet sitter coming inside. Last Wednesday she didn't hear us come home, and that was the first sign I saw. After that, I noticed she was getting spooked by us or our other cat suddenly appearing, because she did not hear it. Normally I can call her and she will come running, as of Wednesday she could no longer hear me. It breaks my heart.
Re: Sudden hearing loss, Dr. is stumped.
Call your vet back and ask him to get you in to the neurologist ASAP (ideally today!!). The sooner it is checked, if it can be remedied, the better the outcome.
Do you trust your petsitter? Did you ask her if anything unusual happened, particularly a very loud noise or an injury? (fall? getting too rambunctious, running into a wall, etc?)
It's entirely possible that this has been occuring longer than you think. Gradual hearing loss is common and sometimes, to the owner, it appears sudden. But, I agree to some extent since you are so keenly aware of your cats' health that something else might be amiss.
The vet's comment about an infection affecting gait is not entirely true. Some infections do not cause incoordination or head tilting or altered gait at all. Middle ear and inner ear infection should all be ruled out. A wax buildup can also cause "sudden" hearing loss.
It is possible that her recent anesthesia might be culprit although I think this would have happened much earlier post-anesthesia. This occurs when blood supply is temporarily cut off to certain areas, or the jaw is in a fixed position for too long. Again, unlikely since it appears the hearing loss is a month post-anesthesia.
Get the vet to get you into the neurologist/specialist IMMEDIATELY. A scope exam and possible flush will determine if there is infection or wax buildup, and a culture might also be done on the exudate. A BAER test is warranted as well. If all is inclusive after all this, then a CT is probably your next step.
How is your other cat reacting? If there had been a very loud noise, for example, does he/she appear to be reacting unusual as well? Fearful? Hiding, etc?
Do you trust your petsitter? Did you ask her if anything unusual happened, particularly a very loud noise or an injury? (fall? getting too rambunctious, running into a wall, etc?)
It's entirely possible that this has been occuring longer than you think. Gradual hearing loss is common and sometimes, to the owner, it appears sudden. But, I agree to some extent since you are so keenly aware of your cats' health that something else might be amiss.
The vet's comment about an infection affecting gait is not entirely true. Some infections do not cause incoordination or head tilting or altered gait at all. Middle ear and inner ear infection should all be ruled out. A wax buildup can also cause "sudden" hearing loss.
It is possible that her recent anesthesia might be culprit although I think this would have happened much earlier post-anesthesia. This occurs when blood supply is temporarily cut off to certain areas, or the jaw is in a fixed position for too long. Again, unlikely since it appears the hearing loss is a month post-anesthesia.
Get the vet to get you into the neurologist/specialist IMMEDIATELY. A scope exam and possible flush will determine if there is infection or wax buildup, and a culture might also be done on the exudate. A BAER test is warranted as well. If all is inclusive after all this, then a CT is probably your next step.
How is your other cat reacting? If there had been a very loud noise, for example, does he/she appear to be reacting unusual as well? Fearful? Hiding, etc?
..........Traci
Re: Sudden hearing loss, Dr. is stumped.
Thank you Traci. I have been wondering about it truly being a middle ear infection.
As for our pet-sitter, I do trust her. Other than having the flu nothing else was amiss. She is typically around the kitties for only 30 minutes a day, and she confirmed that everything seemed normal.
Our other kitty is acting perfectly fine. He is wondering why she is howling more than usual though.
I am very interested in getting some sort of test for her middle ear. Her gait is fine, head not tilted, but I am certain she can hear some things, and it seems as if it comes and goes. When she sleeps her ears are more out to the side, a flattened look. She was digging at one ear last night; I assume this is from the scope.
I have found a neurologist and am waiting on our Dr. to make the referral.
This may be a long shot, but I do wonder if maybe somehow the dental affected her eustachian tube, threw off the middle ear pressure, etc. Would this be confirmed by CT scan or MRI? The neurologist has both the BAER, CT and MRI.
As for our pet-sitter, I do trust her. Other than having the flu nothing else was amiss. She is typically around the kitties for only 30 minutes a day, and she confirmed that everything seemed normal.
Our other kitty is acting perfectly fine. He is wondering why she is howling more than usual though.
I am very interested in getting some sort of test for her middle ear. Her gait is fine, head not tilted, but I am certain she can hear some things, and it seems as if it comes and goes. When she sleeps her ears are more out to the side, a flattened look. She was digging at one ear last night; I assume this is from the scope.
I have found a neurologist and am waiting on our Dr. to make the referral.
This may be a long shot, but I do wonder if maybe somehow the dental affected her eustachian tube, threw off the middle ear pressure, etc. Would this be confirmed by CT scan or MRI? The neurologist has both the BAER, CT and MRI.
Re: Sudden hearing loss, Dr. is stumped.
Either the MRI or CT might show some abnormality with the inner ear, like inflammation or other abnormalities, but only the specialist can determine which test is necessary, if any. Whether any abnormalities are seen by either method suggests anesthetic procedure however would be difficult. I think they would only see certain changes, like inflammation, or some sort of damage that was rather obvious due to some sort of manipulation.
Please try to get your vet on this pronto, don't know if he's busy or not, but it's taking TOO LONG for him to be getting you to that referral!
Please try to get your vet on this pronto, don't know if he's busy or not, but it's taking TOO LONG for him to be getting you to that referral!
..........Traci