Mometamax-med for ear infection causes deafness

[cheydogger]

Hi All-

I just thought I would pass a little information along about Mometamax, a medication used to treat ear yeast infections. Chey was losing hair on her ears with a black crust plus had black residue in her ears. A yeast infection was diagnosed and Mometasone was prescribed. I was not warned by the vet that it could cause permanent or temporary deafness. I noticed Chey was not responding to having her name called, so I started clapping and yelling very loudly to which she still wasn't responding. After only a few days on the ear drops, she was completely deaf. I called the vet and she said the medication can be ototoxic especially if there was a tiny tear in the eardrum. She didn't see a tear at the time though and the infection wasn't horrible. I feel terrible that I didn't research the ear drops before administering. I was supposed to treat her ears for ten days, but I stopped after eight. Chey may have responded slightly to loud clapping today, but I'm not for sure. I pray she gets her hearing back. Just please be aware of Mometasone ear drops and the side effects before administering.

Take care,

Ro

[Harley PoMMom]

Oh, I am so sorry to hear this news about Chey, here's a link to Leslie's post regarding another ear medication that can do the same:


Our vet told me that the "micin" or "mycin" family can cause deafness whether taken orally or used topically as in ear drops, eye drops, ointments. If the med has the letters "micin" or "mycin" then it has the potential to cause deafness. An example is Gentamicin. It doesn't always happen but it does happen.

[addy]

Also, when I just had Zoe checked for an ear infection her GP told me if I have to use any ear drops with hydrocortisone (and he said most have it) the drug will affect Zoe systemically and raise her ACTH test and affect her Cushings. I have not verified his information yet.

I hope Chey gets her hearing back. Im so sorry you had to have this bad experience.

[Roxee's Dad]

I also have a pup that went deaf at the same time as using gentamycin, was it coincidence that she lost her hearing at the time medication? Guess I will never know for sure. We also had a member, Sue who also experienced this with her Zoe. I don't remember for sure, but I think she said an aspirin within a certain time would help offset the side effects of gentamycin.

I am not recommending giving aspirin because I don't remember for sure, but her Zoe did regain her hearing if I remember correctly.

I have also read that many times this is only temporary. Hoping for the best for Chey.

[molly muffin]

I remember when Molly had an ear infection, I had read on the forum here that there could be problems with some of the ear medications and came running over before we went to the ER to find out what it was. Mycin family is what we talked about then and the vet said yes that can cause problems for some dogs. I don't know if Mometamax was mentioned though.

They gave me Surolan ear drops to use, it contains Miconazole nitrate 23 mg, polymyxin B sulfate 0.5293 mg, prednisolone acetate 5 mg. The IMS said it wouldn't cause any deafness, but because it Does have prednisolone acetate, which is a steroid I can see where anything with that in it could affect cush pups.

Mometamax contains -
This prescription medication contains a broad-spectrum antibiotic (gentamicin), a potent corticosteroid (mometasone) and an antifungal agent (clomitrazole) to treat inflammation and bacterial infections of the ear. Gentamicin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic, mometasone is a potent corticosteroid with minimal systemic absorption, and clotrimazole has antifungal properties.

You might ask about Surolan if Chey gets another infection. I really hope that she'll regain her hearing. Vets should not prescribe things that can cause more harm than good. I think anyway. :(

Sharlene and Molly Muffin

[cheydogger]

I still can't say whether Chey is regaining any hearing. I have yelled and screamed at her to no avail, but she will kinda perk her ear when I clap loudly. Maybe she is catching my movement with her perifial vision. Her last dose was Saturday and it's now Wednesday I don't know. It just makes me mad. She doesn't deserve any additional ailments, especially those that were avoidable. Watch out for Gentamycin otic drops!!!

[cheydogger]

Sharlene-

I will keep the Surolan in mind in case this infection doesn't get cleared up or she gets another one.

Thanks all for your input.

Ro

[Trish]

OH NO, how the heck did I miss this about our sweet Chey!!! :( So so sorry to read she is having trouble with her hearing. I am going to stick with some hearing is coming back with her noticing the clapping. The poor girl, this sucks when you are trying so hard to do the best for her. How is her ear otherwise? Has it healed up from the original complaint? Is she doing OK with the Trilostane? Oh Ro, big hugs for you. You guys certainly do not need any stress at the moment. I will be looking (a bit more carefully I might add) so I do not miss anything else to do with one of my most specially loved doggies here on K9C xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx

[addy]

I was sick and the doctor gave me a huge dose of zythromyicin. I got horrible ear ringing and plugged ears. The dr told me I had a virus in my ears and to keep taking the drug, I then called a pharmacist who again told me to continue the drug. Six years later, my ears still ring and are plugged up. It never went away.:mad::mad:

and I wonder why I dont trust doctors or vets;);)

[Squirt's Mom]

Oh, Ro....I so hope Chey's hearing returns. It can be so aggravating when things that are supposed to help create another issue. :(

[cheydogger]

I don't know if the infection is cleared up or not. I haven't taken her back. The vet didn't ask for a recheck. She is still pretty deaf. I know it isn't the worst thing in the world, but it still stinks.

[cheydogger]

John-

I meant to respond to you. I would venture to guess your pup went deaf from the Gentamycin and not just coincidental. How in the world and why does this drug cause hearing loss???? Ugh!!!!

[cheydogger]

Trish-

I don't think the Trilostane is doing her good at the moment. She still drinks a lot and has really soft stools. She acts starved all of the time and she can be so annoying begging for more and more food. We just aren't going to spend thousands on tests anymore. Adrenal tumors are too hard to regulate with meds in my opinion. Chey is still a very happy dog, so we are just trying to let her live out her last days as is. For now, she is still on 60mg.