Post Ear Flushing - Hearing Loss

[Jacque315]

My 7 year old male cat had his ears flushed on 2/2/2012.  Now he experiencing hearing loss.  He was perfectly fine before the ear flushing.  He had to have it due to a yeast infection,  Will his hearing come back?  If so when?  How many any days later?  He use to love his dry food and now I can only fee him wet food.  Please help me and tell me his hearing will come back.

I am heart broken.

Thank you!

[Jade59]

Hi Jacque and welcome.  Couple questions.  I assume you mean kitty had his ears flushed on JANUARY 2nd?  12days ago?  What symptoms is your boy showing to make you think he has hearing loss?  Does he appear deaf?  And have you contacted the vet who did the ear flushing?  I don't know anything about flushing, but from personal experience myself, I would think there might be water trapped behind the ear canal and that would most certainly effect his hearing.  And of course, there is the possibility the vet went too far into the ears and did damage.  

As far as his eating goes, it is really best your boy eats wet food anyway since UTI's can be a problem with kitties, most especially males.  But I hear what you're saying...there's a big change in your boys behavior and that's distressing.  Get back to us on the questions, okay?  Although it really would be impossible to tell you if his hearing will return.  He needs an examination by your vet.  

[Jacque315]

Hi Jade59,

Thank you getting back to me so quickly.  Yes, it is my 7 year old male cat.  I know he cannot hear me because when the garage door goes up and I come home is always by the door waiting for me.  I have brought him back several times since 1/2/2012.  The vet looked and the left hear looks great and you can see the ear drum in tact.  The right ear still has still has debris and it was hard to see the ear drum.  The vet thinks it could be fluid but I do not know.  Another reason I know he cannot hear is when I come up behind him and clap my hands I get no response.  Do you know how long it takes for the access fluid to drain out of the canal?  Like I said I have been back several times and plan on calling again next week.  Any help I would greatly appreciate it.  thank you again for time and response.  All My Best.

[opus88]

hi. sorry for the problems your kitty is having. you will need to continue getting advice from the Vet that did the flushing, since the problem began following his procedure.
I will send you an article I found for you to read, than take kitty back for another examination and EXPLANATION as to what is wrong...you deserve a better explanation.
kitty may now have an infection, or trapped fluid...in either case its the Vet who needs to sort this out, if fluid is trapped there is a reason WHY...
they owe you this for NO further costs...please update us afterwards.

http://www.petplace.com/cats/deafness-in-cats/page1.aspx

[Jade59]

Good luck next week when you take your boy back.  I agree with Opus in that by now, if there is fluid still in the ear, it has likely progressed to an infection   I do hope that's all it is.  Or from your description of debris, maybe another flushing is in order although I'm sure you're wary of that by now.  Your vet needs to figure this out.  I get water trapped in my ears often, but as a human, I can tilt my head and work it out myself, but kitty can't do that, so...

I am so very sorry this happened.  I looked at your profile pic and this kitty must be your gorgeous black cat?  And your little Tortie is So cute.  That's a darling photo.  

Best of luck, Jacque.  Please do keep us posted.

[29sillygirl]

Oh dear
As a human who has had poor experiences with ear flushing technique  ....can suggest this.   How about a procedure similar to what works very well for  me @ ENT?   That is, a small instrument is used to remove whatever debris has lodged in ear....no harsh flooding of canal necessary to treat problem.  

Wish I could be of more help...kitty must be so uncomfortable.

I so relate to his difficulty...took me a couple of years and several miserable flushings to get myself to ENT who solved problem in a jiffy.

Thinking about you and your boy...best @ vets...

[Jacque315]

Thank you very much!  I will keep you posted.  Again, I truly appreciate the article and your email.  

[Jacque315]

Thank you so very much.  Yes, Charlie is my black kitty.  The torti is his sister, Annie.  Thank you ever so much and I will be in touch with an update.

[Jacque315]

Thank you so very much for your thoughts and advice.  I will keep you posted.

[Jacque315]

Today I bring my Charlie back to the Vet for a second opinion.  I will write an update when I return later this afternoon.  Thank you for your caring, updates, and thoughts.

[Jade59]

Thinking of Charlie today and best of luck!

[Jacque315]

Thank you so very much!

[Jacque315]

Hi Everyone,

I just got back from Charlie's appt.  The 2nd vet is puzzled with Charlie.  His left ear is clear but the right ear (that I knew) still has wax in it and it is hard to see the ear drum.  He did tell me to stop using the syringe and ointment & switched me over a couple ear drops (new medicine) 2 x a day in his right ear.  He wants to loosen the wax up this way and see what happens.  Charlie has lost more weight so he was more concerned (as I am) about this as well.  So Charlie will get wet food whenever he wants....he needs to put some weight on because since 1/2/2012 he has lost 2 pounds.  I asked will Charlie hear again...he said we need to wait to see.  It does not appear he has an infection but the drops will help in case he does as well as loosen up the wax by his ear drum.  He said let's wait and  bring him back in next week but sooner if I see any changes in Charlie.  I really liked this Vet's mannerisms and he really cared.  Next Tuesday we have an appt to check on his status....I pray and hope one morning I will wake up and Charlie will be talking to me....Thank you everyone for your thoughts & concern.  It has meant so much to me.

[Jade59]

Hi Jacque and thanks for the update.  I'm happy you were pleased with this new vet and he was so caring.  It's been several days since you posted, so I hope the drops are doing their job and loosening the wax.  I think once that happens, Charlie will feel much better and hopefully regain his hearing.  Prayers and fingers crossed!  Very good you're feeding him whenever he wants.  2lbs is a big loss for a little cat.  Poor Charlie is stressed though with all that has happened to him in such short time.  Drops everyday, new vet, and I'm sure he is confused with not being able to hear.  You're doing a great job, Jacque.  You're a very loving and caring parent.  

I will be anxiously awaiting your update on the 24th after Charlies visit.  Take care!

[Jacque315]

Charlie seems to be improving!  YEAH!  The doctor gave him an antibiotic and he is still on Bonine for this vertigo.  The vertigo seems to be getting better.  Thank goodness.

Charlie is still not eating like he use to...I have been running out to the store left and right for my little guy trying to get him something he will eat.  The only thing right now is Wiskas...Turkey with Gravy!  

The downside...Charlie can still not hear....I am PRAYING this will come back overtime.  We go back tomorrow for another follow-up.  I will update you again tomorrow.

Thank you all for your thoughtfulness & keeping my Charlie in your thoughts.

[Jade59]

Hi Jacque!  I am so happy to hear Charlie is improving.  What a relief!  Although poor baby, sounds like he's got a ways to go.  The vertigo is making him feel nauseous and effecting his appetite.  I'm glad there is at least one food he is interested in.  You know, you may want to start syringing a little extra food if he's not eating enough.  Some water and Pedialyte, too, would be a good idea.  In fact, we recently had a post where kitty was acting drunk and lethargic one week after anesthesia for a dental cleaning.  Owner began hydrating kitty via syringe and his kitty seemed to snap out of it; it seemed to work wonders, so couldn't hurt to try?

Very best of luck tomorrow with the follow-up.  Yes, please do keep us posted.  Praying for Charlie, and my thoughts are with You, as I know it is Very Stressful with the worry of this.  Hugs    

[Jacque315]

All,

Charlie is not doing well at all.  On Tuesday we went back to vet...he prescribed a steroid to get to eat.  I did this one night and that was IT!  He has stopped eating,  This morning he ate very little.  Today I am bringing to  a specialist.  PLEASE pray for a miracle for him.  I am!  I am so broken hearted....I feel so helpless in trying to help him.  I do not want him to go through so much stress but I need to find help for my handsome man!

[Jacque315]

I stopped the steriod because Charlie was declining from it.  HE was very unsteady and LOST his appetite totally!

[opus88]

I am so sorry for poor little Charlies troubles, I sure am praying for that 'miracle' for him....I am glad you stopped the steroids, I don't like the use of them unless absolutely required and if only to increase appetite there are better options such as Vit B12. I hope the specialist is able to help the poor little fella, keep us posted. and ((hugs)) to you both♥

[Jade59]

Jacque, I was able to find an old post by one of our members about an appetite stimulant called, Cyproheptadine.  See what your vet thinks, as I don't know anything about it, just that our member used it with success.  Of course, this is only a temporary solution, but one that will buy some time while trying to find out what in the world has happened to your poor boy.  

I hope the Specialist was able to give you some answers today.

Prayers for Charlie, and Warm hugs to You, as not only are you broken hearted, but exhausted, I'm sure...♥

[preacherswife158]

My cat got an ear flush and now is totally deaf. The third eyelid was showing within 2 hours. Her eyes look better now but still deaf.

[Kerry_Wyatt]

Hi there - my cat has experienced the exact same thing!  He had an ear clean on 22 April - came back from the vet in a total state, 3rd eyelid showing, lost a lot of weight, slept a lot and then about a week later I realized he is almost completely deaf!  I took him back to the vet (who was amazed) and now he is on steroids (6th day), eating ok now buy can't chew properly anymore either!  What did they do to him????  I am devastated for him - a cat can't be without his hearing!  3rd eyelid also not sorted - 3 weeks later!  Any help/advise would be really appreciated.  Not sure what to do from here...