Sudden Deafness in 13 Year Old Chesapeake X

Question
Dear Dr. Gotthelf,

What would cause sudden deafness in a 13 year old dog? Lucy is a female Chesapeake X in good health.  Last January she had surgery to remove lypomas.  In March I noticed she couldn't hear.  I have had her checked by my vet but I would appreciate a second opinion.  

Lucy wouldn't sit still for an ear exam so my vet wants to start by treating for an infection with Baytril.  I recently read that anesthesia and antibiotics can cause deafness in dogs.  Do I need to worry about the Baytril?

Thank you,

Debra Rosebrook  

Answer
Acute deafness may be associated with ear infections, but in order for a dog to be deaf, it would have to be in both ears at the same time, which is very rare.  Wax plugs, closed down ear canals, growths, or fluid in the middle ears can cause deafness.  If the ear canals are swollen closed, these cases are usually reversible with treatment.  There are some cases of nerve deafness in older dogs that can happen.

Anesthetics do not cause deafness.  Certain antibiotics if they are introduced into the inner ear through a ruptured eardrum can cause deafness, but not Baytril.

I would advise you to let your vet sedate and examine the ear canals, eardrum, and the middle ear.  Sometimes X-rays of the skull where the ears are is helpful.